Spiritual grounding
Being a business owner, wife and mother of two children keep Abbey motivated and in good spirits, but doesn’t ease the ache, tiredness and burning in her muscles. She has been referred to a rare disease specialist that has determined her iron storage is low, so Abbey is taking recommended iron supplements for the next three months for doctors to further test for a more accurate diagnosis since her symptoms have now gone beyond MS.
The journey of the last eight years continues with Abbey choosing to appreciate each moment of each day. As anyone can imagine, it isn’t easy for her or her family. At one point, Abbey wanted a divorce stating, "I felt my negative relationship with my husband was bad on my health. But we both have worked really hard on our relationship, and now, though we do have disagreements, we show respect, appreciation and love for each other."
“I sat with my mother-in-law one day and shared with her that while I acknowledge that MS impacts everyone’s lives, it only affects everyone negatively if I’m mad about it,” she explained. “If I’m happy, then it can’t affect them negatively. I deal with the pain and use the cane when I’m hurting and I don’t try to be tough. That’s how I can maintain my happiness by taking care of myself.”
Abbey pushes herself to get 7,000 steps in each day and she stretches to get relief from her stiff, achy muscles. She “loves” getting pedicures and watching sappy romance shows she can download from Netflix. She and her husband maintain their relationship with a date night each week by going to the movies or eating sushi, and bonding over deep, meaningful conversation about their lives and their future. What really sustains Abbey through the hardships of her deteriorating health is being spiritually connected to her Creator.
“I believe in God and I’ve attended 13 churches throughout my life,” she said. “I’m a Christian and I found for myself a spiritual grounding that is the anchor in my life.”
Abbey holds dear her faith that she exercises with weekly attendance to the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has a high regard for people of all faiths and a sincere spiritual conviction of acceptance and love for herself and her fellowmen.
“As soon as I walk up to the (temple) doors, I feel that it is actually home and that I need to go there to remember who I am,” she said. “The peace that’s there, I can’t get any other way. Literally, my faith is an anchor to my soul.”
cover story
Abbey Phillips Shares What It’s Like to Live with Multiple Sclerosis
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In the Kitchen
with Abbey
Behind
The Scenes with Abbey