Multiple Sclerosis and grace under fire

            Another measure of quarantine time startled me this week. Tessa – my precious, affianced, piano-craftsperson, dog-mama, hat-knitting daughter – had to go for her second monthly infusion of Tysabri (a Multiple Sclerosis drug treatment) since this viral scare began. I remember worrying about Tessa entering a hospital at the start of this viral explosion, and it stunned me that a month had already passed. Back again today.
            My daughter’s grace in the face of this disease awes me. She does not hide it, nor does she allow it to define her life. In fact, she absorbs it so matter-of-factly that I occasionally (sheepishly) forget the MS is even there. So far, her treatments have kept most symptoms quiescent, and she rarely raises the subject. She’s too busy building her piano-technician business, supplementing with entrepreneurial knitting during quarantine, planning her wedding, making a life. “Well what else would I do?” I can imagine her asking.
            Excellent question. What else should any of us do when life veers off its familiar track, when the plans we had must be scrapped and readjusted, when health becomes uncertain and we must mentally and emotionally prepare for the onset of serious illness, just in case? Hmmm…
            If ever I begin to feel quelled by the threat of COVID-19, I will summon my mighty daughter to mind, and carry on living my life as best I can.
 
My 60th year in 60,000 words
Day 235: 229 words, TOTAL = 38,575; 21,425 remaining