Waiting Room at the MS clinic...EEEK!

[Tawanda]

Went for my about my millionth MS Specialist appt. I never wait long, but I never know what kind of shape the other MS patients will be in.

Yesterday, they were all advanced cases. I don't know whether to be depresses or grateful. It must have taken the entire morning for one healthcare aid to get her MS patient there. Near as I could tell, she could no longer speak or hold her head up without a ton of bracing.

My husband actually was with me this time. He has come a long way. He saw me looking at the advanced patients and reminded me that no 2 cases of MS are alike. In do think its good for him to see this stuff. He even asked the doctor to make our next appt. at a time he can get away from work to go with me!

[misslux]

Be grateful, definitely! If you can still walk without any or minimal assistive devices, you're already ahead of the game.

[Seasha]

I agree with miss - be grateful!

Be grateful too for your husband who wants to be with you at appts. and become more informed! I'm sure you are already

Feel the same about my husband. They are keepers!

[Alex94]

it's wonderful that your husband is so supportive.

Personally, for me waiting for neuro appointments is an odd experience, every time.

I'm under a huge neurology centre, so there's one waiting room for about 20 exam rooms. Usually, those with neurological disorders are people in their 60 and older, with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia etc. So there are lots of guys who could be my grandparents, and me, a 19-year old.

Actually, if there are any young people waiting, usually they are to see MS consultants. It's quite depressing, to be honest. The hospital itself is great, but waiting room...

[mercadies25]

I was at the docs office the morning before my son graduated high school.

There was a lady with progressive ms also waiting. At first I just kinda watched her. She was in a wheelchair with a man and a woman. The longer I waited the more I felt her pain and my future. She was could not talk very well and could not move much of her body. She would complain that her back was hurting.

I started crying in the waiting room. Originally my dh thought I might have been thinking of my son, but I was just thinking of my future and how scary it is.

He is also very supportive, but I still feel very alone when I think about it. Unfortunately I think about it alot.

[Jules A]

I also hate the waiting area. While I am so thankful that I am still in better shape than many I see there in my heart I know I'm likely staring at my future.

How people can be optimistic about the prognosis of this miserable disease escapes me and all I can surmise is denial.

[Mable]

Wow Tawanda,

As I recall, you were feeling kind of blue these past few days already. Just what you needed, huh?

Since I've been diagnosed, I always ask my friends to introduce me to anyone they know with MS. The result is that I meet a lot of MSers who aren't hanging around MS clinics or forums.

It turns out a LOT of women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s are doing pretty good with MS. No canes. No slurred speech. A lot of fatigue, though.

One was a man my age in a wheelchair and clearly cognitively impaired (which caused me to go home and cry for a couple days). But the rest were doing relatively great.

I try to think of my collection of MS women when I get the "yikes" from too much scary MS socializing.

Hope you're feeling a little brighter by now.

[dyin_myelin]

I remember sitting next to a woman waiting for my infusion and feeling sorry for her, thinking the cancer had eaten half her body but she had MS.

[Thinkimjob]

I have never met anyone older than me with MS who is doing anything close to great. And I have met a few younger ones who are doing a lot worse than me. I'm 44.

I'm the newest "that's my scary future" MSer in these parts.

Maybe there are lots of a-ok older MSers round here who just never told anyone. Don't think so.

[Thinkimjob]

By "here", I mean here in Goondiwindi, not here on MSWorld.

[Andy75]

It is hard to go to doctor's office and see images of one's probable, painful, depressing future. But, I try to live with gratititude that it hasn't happened to me yet -- with a little mix of faith and denial that I may be one of the lucky ones who is able to "beat" this damned disease.

[KatieAgain]

I have personally met a couple hundred of people with MS. It spans the whole range. I have met people in their 70s who walk unaided with only a couple of flares their entire lives. I have met young people who were in a wheelchair by the time they were 30. I have met middle age people who were actively involved in sports, but still had ups and downs. I have met people who are blind and I know two people who have died from MS Complications.

MS is not easy for anyone, but I do not look at anyone else and assume that is my future. My future is as unique as my fingerprint.

[Jules A]

It turns out a LOT of women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s are doing pretty good with MS. No canes. No slurred speech. A lot of fatigue, though.

I can't imagine there are a LOT of women in their 60s and 70s with MS who are still doing well but would love to believe it is true. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Maybe I need to take out an ad on Craigs list:
MWF seeking person with MS over age 60 who isn't in the crapper, spry young-ins in denial need not apply.

[lstrl]

It creeps me out every time I go to the MS clinic. Both times I've been there recently, I've been the only one who doesn't use some kind of walking aid. It did appear that I was the youngest, but no matter how good I feel, it scares me that I'm looking at my future. It's hard enough dealing with what MS has thrown my direction. It only makes it worse looking at what may be the future. At this point, I'm not willing to accept that.

[pennstater]

One thing to keep in mind is that patients that are doing well are not there as often as those who have lots of issues or are progressing. I also have to keep telling myself some of the older patients didn't have the benefit of meds we do today (otherwise why do I torture myself). I am not in denial, but have to try to stay optimistic or I will give up fighting.