When I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I remember my new neurologist opening the conversation with "You aren't going to die." Which for the most part is true. Recently Davy Jones of the Monkees passed away and asked for all donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in remberence of his neice who "died of Multiple Sclerosis". I have come across so many people who have told me stories of relatives who have died of MS. Great strides have been made in research and treatment to those diagnosed with MS and many can live their lives with MS "normality".
When you are diagnosed with a disease like Multiple Sclerosis you start to view your entire life differently and think differently, at least I did. The moment I heard that there is a chance I could end up in a wheelchair or suffer physically I decided to
appreciate the simplicity of being physically active now. When you hear the words "You might not be able to walk".....YOU WALK! You walk, run, jump, play etc etc etc. When you hear that your sight could be impaired or you could go blind....YOU SEE! I stop myself often during each day and soak up what I see, and thank God that I am able to see with minimal optic damage. My memory has gotten worse and at times I get confused but I make sure to aide myself with a day planner, my iPhone, and constant reminders. I have to inject myself
every single day with a medication to help slow/stop symptoms. I don't dwell over the large welts left on my legs, arms, stomach and hips--I can't think that way. That is my medication, it's going to keep me safe. My point is that where as I am not dying or show any physical symptoms of this disease--I am doing everything to fight for a "normal" life. It is a battle. It would be easy to just throw a pity party and give up but that's not the option I was given..no one told me I was going to have a normal life again. Most people's normal does not include needles, pills, MRIs, memory exams, evoked potential eye exams and the list goes on. But mine does. This is my normal...this is
my life and I am honestly one of the lucky ones. At the Mellen Center (Cleveland Clinic MS Center) I see far worse and many times I have had to choke back tears in the waiting room. Closer to home I can look at my mother and see that she has trouble walking and that pushes me even harder.
If by some chance I start to get worse then I want to know that I sure as heck didn't go down without a fight.
This year we are participating the Cleveland MS Walk. Please consider donating to our team--the money raised helps those living with Multiple Sclerosis and aides the NMSS.
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/OHAWalkEvents?px=9029218&pg=personal&fr_id=17853