Most people with MS will visit this room more than others in the family and it’s not easy making this room your ‘friend’.  Along with more regular visits, the time spent here seems longer.  It does take more time to get undressed, dressed and organised.

Depending on the level of disability with an individual’s MS, he/she may need railings next to the toilet or in the shower to assist.  I don’t.  But I am more wary and make sure there is a bathmat on the floor when getting out of the shower and that my towel is thrown over the shower recess so I can be fairly dry before stepping out.

Heat can affect some people with MS so taking a luke warm (or shorter) shower might help.

I still shave with a disposable razor, but maybe down the track I’ll move to an electric one.  Unfortunately I’m not sufficiently hirsute to grow a good-looking beard – but even if I were, I’ve always subscribed to the adage that it is a “meek old dog that barks from behind a hedge”.

I imagine bathrooms are more frustrating for women with MS than men.  I don’t shave my legs or put on makeup.  I’d love to hear from any women who have tips in this department – or indeed any men who are into cross-dressing.  Speaking of which, I do sometimes wear a ‘dress’.  When it comes to dressing, socks and shoes take more time than they used to and jeans are bit harder to get into sometimes (I sit on the bed for these tasks now).  My ‘dresses’ are sarongs.  I find them cool, easy to put on, and they go fine with bare feet.

Some people with MS find that their feet get hot.  Mine don’t, but they are more sensitive, so bare feet works well, foot massages are out of the question and cutting toenails a bit of a tender experience.  I imagine having someone else do this would be even more ‘reactive’ because it is pretty difficult to tickle yourself.  It is a task that is easy to put off for another time but my advice would be to attend to the nails when needed as ‘long’ nails could lead to complications.

That’s the little room out of the way for now, let’s move on to the bedroom!

PS – Had an email from Mandi who tells me that while she has no problems with makeup, she forgets whether she has used the deodorant.  This happens to me as well!  Guess it is a ‘habit’ thing rather than a process.  What I do is keep the deodorant in a drawer and open it before the shower and close it after using the deodorant.  That way a glance has replaced sticking my head under my armpit!

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