August 4, 2004
Dear Friend,
I found out that I had Multiple Sclerosis when my son was 18 months old. I started with symptoms when I was out of my emergency c-section and had a numb left leg. I was more concerned about my premature son who was 2.1 lbs., 13” long and 10 weeks early. They did a couple venous dopplers to make sure I didn’t have DVT and they were all negative and after about a month it went away so we all forgot about it. I brought him home 9 weeks later at 4.5 lbs. And decided to stay with him until he at least was 10 lbs. I fell a couple times that year but figured it was due to lack of sleep and busy days. He was 10 lbs at 1 yr old so I started looking for a job. All this time keep in mind I had no insurance and financially we were behind too much. But we made it. I got a temp job at the local hospital doing transcription. It was working out fine and I was looking forward to getting on full time so I could get benefits so I could see what happened because I started leaning a little to the left, and if I laid straight down I got very dizzy. I got a full-time job in August of 1999 and got insurance in September. Well this all happened at his being 16 months old. I hardly had any symptoms then just occasional weakness on the left side. I saw a neurologist in October and went and had a MRI done and the doctor knew right away that I had Multiple Sclerosis and my son was 18 months old in November. I was kind of in shock at first and scared I was going to die. I found out all the information I could and became a little more stable but not much. It was like life took a big u-turn and I had to adjust but didn’t want to. It was kind of like the grieving process. I after about 2 years accepted it. I kept at work with no problems. I gave myself shots. I took care of my son and hoped it would just stay that ay. When he was around 3 years old I started getting a limp on my left side and getting more fatigued. This I could deal with because he could already walk and didn’t need me as much but things at work and everything was so much but I had to keep going. I had about 7 IV Solumedrol 5 day doses for flare-ups and still kept getting worse. Now I have an orthotic for my left leg, no movement in my left foot, diminished movement in my left hand which means I only type with 1 hand, I use a cane when I feel unstable or have to walk a lot, I also use my scooter when I know I have to walk a good distance. I have fallen so many times I can’t count. I now have some bladder problems and some other unmentionable problems. My husband although it’s hard has been very supportive through all of this. We both get very frustrated at times. I kept my full-time job as a medical receptionist in an internal medicine office, took care of my son, which at time if you have kids is very tiring. I think I have read every book and played every game he has! I cleaned what I could in the house and my husband did the rest, got an MS support group started in my town with the help of the MS Society we meet once a month, did grocery shopping, you know all the things normal people do. Finally after another flare-up and another Solemedrol treatment I stopped working on May 24, 2004 at my neurologist’s say so. At first I would not accept defeat in my eyes but realized it was for the best. My son is now 6. I have been able to spend quality time with him before he goes to 1st grade. I will be able to get him on and off the bus. I will be able to have him get involved in whatever activities he wants. I have more energy because I am not stretching myself too thin. I just clean 1 room a day so I got the cleaning job back, but as far as how I feel I am relieved!!!! The scabs on my knees from falling have healed but I still have some scarring!!!!!! I am watching the research on the new drug Antegren and hope it gets approved and we can finally get rid of MS for good. I will never take something so simple as walking across the room for granted again. I don’t feel as if I’ve done anything special but if my story helps anybody it would be worth it.
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