The Week Before My Injection
Every month, in the week leading up to my Kesimpta injection for MS, I feel drained. It’s a time of waiting, resilience, and creativity—a reminder of how far I’ve come. Before this treatment, I spent years unable to climb stairs or enjoy things like snowshoeing without intense burning in my legs. MS will always be challenging, but these moments of waiting also give me space to reflect on my progress and express myself through art.
Finding Comfort in Small Moments
During what is known as “Crap Gap Week”, I feel like I’m coming down with something. My head is foggy, I’m exhausted, my body aches, my head hurts, so I plant myself on the couch and let my mind wander. I remind myself that rainy days aren’t ‘bad days.’ I think about the broccoli I ate for supper, the fox in our backyard, the river snails I look forward to seeing again. And when I doodle these thoughts, nothing feels stressful—there are no politics, no social media, no ‘this day is ruined because of MS’ – Just a peaceful day immersed in nature & random thoughts, with a splash of creativity.
Finding Comfort in Small Moments
That’s how this skeleton doodle, came to life as a sticker.
A skeleton might seem like an odd choice for something so positive, but to me, it represents resilience. It’s a little whimsical, a little quirky, and full of life despite what one might expect. Wrapped in daisies and fiddleheads, it’s a fun way to express that no matter how long the wait, joy can always find a way back.
Lessons From the Aroostook River
Living on the Aroostook River for nearly 20 years has taught me patience. Every year, I wait for the river to be just right for enjoyment. Sometimes it feels like forever—especially after a long Maine winter! In all these years, only two summers have been too rainy for the river to be truly enjoyable. That means most of the time, the waiting is worth it.
Creativity in the Quiet Moments
During the winter months, I catch myself spending more time on my phone, longing for dragonflies and the first sprouting fiddleheads. But in these quiet moments, creativity stirs, revealing itself in unexpected ways. Sometimes, in the form of a skeleton covered in wildflowers.
Embracing the Waiting
If you’re ever in a season of waiting—whether for summer, better health, or just a good day—remember to create, dream, and find little ways to bring joy into the moment. What small joys help you through the waiting? Maybe it’s doodling, maybe it’s nature, or maybe it’s something else entirely. Whatever it is, embrace it.
