Hello friends --HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Can't believe it's 2019 already. Where did that last year go?? Well - for me it included 24 new podcast episodes, a new book: Bowel and Bladder Issues in Multiple Sclerosis by Two Pee Brains With Potty Mouths Talking Shit About MS, starting the Friday Night 6-Pack, and introducing FUMS merchandise (merch, for the cool people). Whew - I'm tired - how about you? Well - not too tired to share what happened in this last week - and - some new shit too!! Here you go:1.  FREE COACHING!! Let me explain. I've posted before about a course I'm developing to help people in chronic conditions communities (hello MS'ers) find LEGIT, flexible job opportunities, including how to start an online business the right way and how to find patient advocacy gigs. The course is called "Patients Getting Paid." I've had a LOT of people sign up on the email list to get info when I launch the course and quite a few of those people asked if I would be offering any one-on-one guidance to help them find what is the right path for each person. I hadn't thought about it - but now that I have - I'm going to see if I'm any good at it and if I enjoy it. So - I'm offering 5 FREE COACHING SESSIONS each for 3 people. If you're interested, email me at [email protected] with "Coaching" in the subject line. If more than 3 people are interested, I'll write down everyone's name and put them in a hat and draw out 3 names - with one caveat: I want one of each gender so I'll draw until I get that combo! In these sessions we'll discuss your interests, talents, gifts, challenges, etc. and what you'd like to do. I'll help guide you in your search for patient advocacy gigs, flexible job sites and/or online business training. It will include setting goals, coming up with a "game plan" and offering accountability. Interested?? Send me an email at [email protected] with "Coaching" in the subject line. It's all free and I know we'll have fun - and I'll help you as much as humanly possible! 2.  In this article, they talk about HSCT trials (stem cell therapy) and it's efficacy in RRMS - lessening disability and relapses - even after multiple treatment failures. According to the team, “this data is in agreement with other studies and recent guidelines, and confirms the important role of HSCT as a therapeutic option for patients with RRMS.” In FUMS-speak: this seems like some good shit - but it's not FDA approved yet so insurance won't touch it which means you'll have to sell your first AND second born children to afford it. Either way - something to keep an eye on.  Stem Cell Therapy for MS3.  Did you know that if you were deemed disabled, your federal student loan could be forgiven and discharged? I had heard this in the past but finally I took a minute to actually look that up - and IT'S TRUE!!! Shut the front door! Here's the info: Student Loan Forgiveness4.  This is very interesting research: new findings about the role of vitamin A in mediating the relationship between gut bacteria and the immune system may prove "critical" for devising new therapies for autoimmune conditions, such as #MS, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory diseases that affect the intestine. LOVING all the research that's going on right now. Attack it from all sides!! Here's the article: Immune System vs. Gut Bacteria5.  This is a nice synopsis of some of the biggest stories in #MS from 2018: Top 10 Multiple Sclerosis Stories of 20186.  I've been approached to put together a National Team FUMS for the MS Walk and MS Bike events across the U.S. This would mean you and/or your friends and family would participate in the MS Walk or MS Bike event in your area, but we'd all be on the same team - Team FUMS. I'm supposed to talk with someone from the National MS Society about the logistics of making this happen but - I wanted to gauge what kind of interest exists. If only a few are interested, I won't pursue it. So - if this is something YOU'D be interested in, please email me and let me know which event you'd be interested in and where you live. Email me at [email protected] with "Team FUMS" in the subject line. Thank you. **Since this is a 6-pack, I can't really add a number 7 so - we'll just call this a bonus item!!  I have started a post on our FUMS Facebook page that is entitled RESOLUTION REVOLUTION. If you'd like to post your New Years resolution - and you want some accountability (as in I'll be calling you out and asking how that resolution is coming), please join us here: FUMS Facebook Page (see the pinned post at the top of the page). My resolution: no sugar for (at least) the month of January. It's only been 4 days and I'm ready to chew off my arm if it had some chocolate on it. Well - that's it for this week. Hope you and yours are feeling good. I look forward to hearing from you on a few different topics in this email! Happy Friday everyone. Enjoy your weekend!Warmly -- Kathy#FUMS

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