MS claims another activity this time a close shave
Talking of a close shave
I have suffered from multiple sclerosis for more years than I care to remember. Quite how I have managed to live this long has been a big surprise to both me and The Wife. Life has been a series of close shaves. Far more than I would ever want to admit.
Diagnosed with MS in 1994
At the time of diagnosis MS did not impact upon my life in any way. Six years later it took a giant leap and started to make its presence felt.
Secondary progressive MS
Falling over became a speciality especially if the pavement was uneven. Soon I was unable to walk the dog as far as she wanted to go. Then I had to stop driving. So the MS moved on remorselessly. Now I even started to bounce off walls.
Despite the assorted setbacks there were parts of my life that were not affected. I still worked all over the world and I had energy by the bucketload.
Eventually energy was not so plentiful and walking became an issue then I had to retire. I could still wash, shave, get myself dressed. Just recently MS claims another activity, this time a close shave.
MS claims another activity this time a close shave
A different close shave
A couple of months ago, January 2017
I cut my lip when having a shave in the morning. I put a dab of loo paper on the cut.
Next morning I do it again :-(. I had never cut myself before on two consecutive mornings when having a shave.
On the third day I only go and do it again. This time MrsB asks if I am OK.
“Isn’t it time you started to think about an electric razor?” she says.
“No” I say.
“But you have cut yourself on three consecutive mornings”
“I will be more careful tomorrow”. Tomorrow comes and I don’t cut myself. It’s only a one day reprieve. The next day as I dab at another nick MrsB tells me to buy an electric razor.
“It’s not such a close shave” is my riposte as I go off in a sulk.
“Just give it a try AND I can’t stand all these bits of bloody tissue”
“Get an electric shaver! Have you looked on Amazon or the John Lewis website” she adds as I lurch between the wall and the bannisters along the landing
Eventually I relent
Two days later the electric shaver arrives. I charge up the battery and have a shave.
This is definitely not as good as a wet shave. It does have its advantages though. I can do it sitting down, that’s.a big relief. Not more cuts or bits of bloody tissues, even bigger relief.
Two months later
I have not thrown my old Razor away. I’m keeping it for sentimental reasons. I am converted to my electric razor but the shave will never be quite as close.
March 2017
I do relate to what you say wet shave is the best but can cause so many problems as you rightly say.
Hello Clive
Keeping my razor for sentimental reasons. I do miss the ritual but that’s all
Thanks for this account. I recognise the development completely, though I’m still wet shaving, and I drive but with an automatic and an adaption, so that the accelerator is worked by my left foot. I still fall over, but only in the house when I’m not taking care. I like your reluctance to give in, and I can also hear my wife shouting out with advice, that I’ll probably ignore until it’s too late.
Helo Nick,
Accepting progression is oh so difficult. Sometimes you just have to man-up