You know that tingling feeling your feet have after they've fallen asleep and start to wake up again? Imagine living with that all day - every day. I do.
Imagine sitting at your computer - and all the sudden you can't see a thing. Everything is complete fuzz and very very dark - and you don't know why. I will tell you first hand - it's excruciatingly scary.
I was annoyed/scared enough to see my family doctor (John Doolittle - no jokes please). He is absolutely the best I've ever experienced. Completely unwilling to let things slide and a memory like an elephant! Based on this episode and other things I'd talked to him in the past - he was the first person to utter those words to me: "I think you may have multiple sclerosis."
Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I did anything and everything I could to pretend they'd never been said. Ignored his requests to send me for more tests. Until this happened:
Imagine walking in to a room and finding the person you love on the floor - unconscious. I can't imagine what that moment was like for Randy (my husband), but that is what happened.
Obviously - these events turned into a lot of doctor appointments and my introduction to neurologist Dr. William Au. After multiple MRI's and one horrific spinal-tap, I was officially/formally diagnosed with MS in July 2005.
Randy and I met with Dr. Au and had a lot of our questions answered. We were given information on the various treatment options and told that we should decide if we wanted any more children before a treatment plan was started.
After a lot of thought, we decided that we were content with our family and I began a Rebif treatment regimen that September... only to find out three weeks later (SURPRISE) that I was pregnant!
Obviously - I had to stop treatment at that point until after the pregnancy.
After Heaven was born (May 2006), I joined on to a medical trial through UC Davis. The trial was looking into an oral medication (as opposed to injections). Unfortunately, after being involved in the trial for just under a year, I was ineligible to continue due to other complications and a low heart rate.
I am currently taking Avonex. Once a week Randy gives me the injection. I really am thankful for him... if I was left to give myself the injections - well - let's just say that it wouldn't happen. I also began following Dr. Swank's MS Diet.
People ask me - how the MS affects my life - what symptoms I experience. The biggest (and most annoying) - Fatigue! This is the one that I hate the most. It has the biggest impact on my children and our family activities. Ugh! I can't tell you how often I'm tired of being tired!
The other main symptom I deal with daily is a major loss of sensation & strength in my left arm and leg. I am working with two great chiropractors in Granite Bay (Golden State Chiropractic) on this though. They have spent a lot of time with me - working on stretching techniques and various adjustments that are helping improve the strength.
There have been good days and bad days. Thankfully, the good outnumber the bad!
My dream - when my daughters are my age - a cure will have been found and MS will be a fading memory.
