More on COVID-19 and MS

Coronavirus Risk for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS itself does not increase the risk of getting COVID-19. However, certain factors associated with your MS may increase your risk for complications:

• Chronic medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, smoking and asthma
• Significantly restricted mobility, such as needing to spend most of your day seated or in bed
• Age 65 or older
• Possibly taking certain disease modifying therapies that deplete immune system cells
• Severe obesity or BMI higher than 40
• Living in a long-term care facility

Sometimes, the body’s response to infections, including COVID-19, may cause a temporary worsening of MS symptoms. Typically, these symptoms settle down once the infection clears up. If you are experiencing new MS symptoms or have any concerns about any of your MS symptoms, please contact your MS healthcare provider.
 

Protecting Yourself from Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides recommendations on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and what to do if you show symptoms.   

Working and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

MS Healthcare Providers

Healthcare providers who treat people living with MS can find additional information in our Professional Resource Center.

Healthcare Workers Who Have MS

• There is no increased risk of you getting COVID-19 because you have MS.
• If you are concerned about your risk of getting COVID-19 because of the DMT you take, please contact your MS provider for advice.
• There are no special PPE instructions for people with MS. You should follow the same precautions as other healthcare workers. If you are concerned about your risk due to your DMT, please contact your MS provider for advice.

Employee Rights

There are many protections that could be available to you if your employer is not being flexible with work from home options or workplace accommodations. Visit our employment resources page to learn more or contact an MS Navigator to discuss your individual rights and options.

Children with MS

There is no specific advice for children with MS; they should follow the advice above for all people with MS. The CDC has specific recommendations for children and COVID-19.

Pregnancy

At this time there is no specific advice for women with MS who are pregnant. There is general information on COVID-19 and pregnancy on the CDC website.

Additional Resources

• COVID-19 Studies Recruiting People with MS
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization

GiveAway

Enter to win:

https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/0a71db8e470f5b54

Writing Mom’s Story

         I began writing the story in late 2007.  Actually, I began the story in February 1978. Immediately after getting out of bed that February morning, I couldn’t stand. The   room was whirling, my stomach was churning. I sat on the edge of t he bed until my head cleared a little and I could stand. I tried to dress, but wasn’t able to bend down without the room spinning again and the nausea returning. I made a doctor’s appointment. He couldn’t find anything and treated me with Dramamine for a mild middle ear inflammation. It cleared after about a week and I put the occurrence in the back of my mind. In August of the same year, I awoke one morning with a gray spot in the vision of my left eye. It enlarged over the morning. By afternoon, my vision in my left eye was limited to the extreme outer edges. Being Saturday, I went to the Emergency Room, convinced I was going blind. An Ophthalmologist happened to be on duty. He diagnosed the problem immediately as optic neuritis and prescribed prednisone. That cleared in about eight weeks.

         Fast forward to 1989. I had been a “normal volunteer” at the National Institutes of Health for several years. I was asked if I would volunteer for an MRI. They said it’s easy if you’re not claustrophobic, no needles, only some noise. I said I would be glad to do it. They were right, lots of noise but no other discomforts. About a week later, a physician called to tell me that they found something strange on my brain. I went back to the physician and came away with a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). I launched a search for information, this being pre-internet, I went to libraries and contacted the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nmss.org ).

         By June of 2006 I had retired on disability from my position as a Science Librarian and worked from home as an editor and writer. I attended a meeting of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (www.owaa.org ). I was interested in writing for children by this time and I attended a session given by the renowned children’s author, Kathleen Kudlinski (www.kathleenkudlinski.com ). Her one piece of advice (among others) that I took away from her presentation was: “Write what you know.”

         In October 2007, after spending over a year researching and learning about writing for children, I asked myself, “What do I know?” It came to me quickly, I know about MS. I have been interested in health issues and have read quite extensively, especially about plagues and infectious diseases. But also about MS, I have an extensive library about the disease and I have reviewed books on the subject for Library Journal. 

       Now in its second edition.

Mom's Story Cover Featured

The photo "Mom's_Story,_Cover2" was just featured on CulturalBook.

To see the featured photo , visit:
http://culturalbook.com/photo/photo/listFeatured?xg_source=msg_feat_photo

Mom's Story

The Second Edition is now available with new treatments available for MS discussed.

Mom's Story

Mom's Story, A Child Learns About MS* featured at Barnes and Noble, 90th and Shea, Scottsdale, AZ  on December 6, 6:30-8:00 pm.

Discussion with three authors, including Mary Jo Nickum, about memoir writing. We will sell and sign our books after the talks.

*Ten percent of the net proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Book sale and signing

Visit me and pickup a copy of Mom's Story at the Second Annual Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) Health and Wellness Fair, April 9, 9:00-4:00.

Study in Pediatric MS Shows Racial Differences in Cognitive Impact

MS affects some cognitive functions more severely in black children than white children, according to newly published research from a team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The findings could help healthcare providers create individualized treatments for children suffering from the disease.

"We don't yet understand the biological reasons, but the bottom line is treatment options must be re-evaluated and be aggressive enough, especially with black patients, to prolong quality of life for as long as possible," says Kelly Ross, M.A, a psychology doctoral degree candidate in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences and lead author of the study.

Although MS in children is much less common than in adults, the disease may impact cognitive function more in younger people because their nervous systems still are developing.

Mom's Story

It's not too late to consider giving a gift of love this holiday season: Mom’s Story, A Child Learns About MS, http://www.marynickum.com.

WTOH

See you at WTOH tomorrow!

SCBWI Arizona Welcome to Our House Conference
on Saturday, September 25, 2010
at the Chaparral Suites Resort and Conference Center
5001 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale. AZ 85250

AuthorAdvance

Have you visited http://www.authoradvance.com yet? It's interesting and will be more helpful as it develops. It replaces the old LitMatch site.

Historical Fiction

Have you read Noah's Wife by Theresa K. Thorne? It's a great read...fast moving with more unexpected turns than you can count. It has inspired me to consider writing a historical fiction book for middle/upper grade kids about Mary, mother of Jesus. I want to write about her first 16 years, ending when she receives word of her pregnancy from the angel. But, like Noah's Wife, there won't be any angels or direct words from God.

Mom's Story Event

The program at the Microsoft Store was fabulous. In addition to my videotaped interview, the Vice President, Programs & Services of the Arizona Chapter for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society attended, providing useful information about the Society and its services. Everyone who attended received a complimentary teeshirt from Microsoft. The video will be available on YouTube soon.

Mom's Story Event

See you at 6:00 pm at the Microsoft Store...

Mom's Story Event

Preparing for the event at Microsoft Store. I'll do a "dry-run" on the interview and reading with a colleague. This will give us a time measure and iron out any wrinkles. I've already connected with the Microsoft Store Event Team. We're almost ready to go. Hope to see you on Friday, July 30 at 6:00 pm.

The Microsoft Store Event

On July 30th from 6:00-8:00 PM the Microsoft Store will be hosting an event on multiple sclerosis (MS). Mary Jo Nickum will discuss Mom’s Story; A Child Learns About MS.

Slide Show

I just updated my slide show for Mom's Story: http://wwww.slideshare.net/mjnickum/moms-story-4630169

Mom's Story, A Child Learns About MS

I'm working hard on designing teaching materials for Mom's Story. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ning

I just joined a Ning. http://bookmarketing.ning.com/profile/MaryJNickum

A Ning is a social platform for an interest or passion online. Every member can reach millions of people from across the world to explore and express a particular interest, discover new outlets, and meet new people with shared pursuits.

I'm bringing the existence of a book marketing Ning to everyone's attention. Whether or not you choose to join, is your decision. I provided the link so you can check it out if you want.

As the author of a children's chapter book, I think any help with marketing is a plus. I think other authors may feel the same way.

Mom's Story, A Child Learns About MS

I will read, discuss and sign my book, Mom's Story, at Park Falls, WI Public Library on June 16th at 3:00 pm