Hello friends --How's everybody doing in FUMSland?  I'm sick. Pure and simple. I could have predicted it. I was in a hospital (with my husband after emergency surgery) Progressive Care Unit for 12-hours-a-day for 9 days. There was a lot of coughing going on around me and sure enough - I'm coughing my fool head off! I'm looking forward to a little Grace & Frankie (Netflix) binging this weekend in my own bed (got back from Florida Wednesday night) and a bounce back by Monday!!  Here's hoping!Before I hit the hay - here's what shakin' (pardon the pun) this week in the world of MS:1.  Has anyone given you a hard time when you use your Handicapped Parking pass?? I've caught a few side-eyes but no one has ever said anything to me about it. Check out the replies on the FUMS Facebook page. People can be so ignorant sometimes! You Can't Park There2.  And in the "no shit Sherlock" department: "Caring for children with multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect the mental health of their mothers over the long term, a study has found."  Mental Health of Women Affected by Caring for Children with MS3.  MS'ers are known for their stellar gift of contracting multiple UTIs.  Can a vegetarian diet help stave off urinary tract infections (UTIs)? Studying Taiwanese buddhists has revealed a link between plant-based foods and a lower risk of UTIs, so researchers are suggesting that this may be the case.  Vegetarian Diet May Prevent UTIs

4.  Stem Cell Transplant - hot topic. This is NOT the same kind that Selma Blair had where you first have your immune system destroyed with chemo and then built back up (HSCT). However, this less aggressive procedure has been determined to be safe and to help delay MS.  Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplant Safe and Helps Delay MS Progression5.  I know everyone doesn't share my appreciation for celebrities with MS sharing their journey but - I'm going to share a story about Jamie-Lynn Sigler's kick-ass spirit in the face of MS because that's one she shares with you FUMS'ers and I thought you'd find her inspiring! Jamie-Lynn is a Closeted FUMSer6.  Are you interested in how MS activists bucked the pharmaceutical companies in opposition to a bill they supported - and still ushered it through the California legislature to see it signed into law? Then listen to this great podcast episode on my friend Jon Strum's fantastic podcast Real Talk MS. And be sure to subscribe to that wonderful pod as well. Here's the episode: Right Beats MightIf you find value in this weekly email and want to see it continue, please visit the FUMS Patreon Page to learn more about how you can support FUMS and get some cool reward benefits as well!!  Warmly -- Kathy#FUMS

Sometimes it helps the stress, just to say "F-U-M-S"