On Sept. 29, 2004, my GP told me my MRI results were ‘indicative’ of MS. I was 23 and essentially said, "What the hell is MS? Is it fatal? And WHY me?!" It was a really, really terrible day.
I had been out of college a year, making plans to go to grad school, and planning for my future. I can’t even explain how scared I was as I'm sure many people here understand! I figured I had two choices, move on with my life or sit and feel sorry for myself. I moved on and did my best.
I have been incredibly fortunate that in 10 years I have gotten married, had two wonderful children, started and completed my PhD, and moved out of state…twice, and I’m in the best shape I have ever been!
Don't get me wrong; every morning is a struggle to make it a good day. Some days I fail miserably but most days I succeed. What choice do I have? I refuse to settle for a life that is mediocre!
Over these past 10 years I've been through a lot of crappy stuff as I'm sure everyone can identify with. I've been hospitalized; I've been poked for an IV so many times I stopped counting (I mean how many veins do we have to blow before we let someone else try!); I've experienced a lot of the side effects from the 4 different MS meds I've been on and who doesn't love the steroids and the associated insomnia! I also realize that there are worse things that I haven't experienced. I'm not sure if or when it will be my turn, but I won't let it ruin today.
Despite all of this, I've come a long way in 10 years. I am so very thankful that my MS does well with the dmds and that I've always had insurance. Back in 2004 I was afraid of what my life would be like in 2014. I don't know what the next 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years have in store for me, but I'll just continue to take it a day at a time and do my best because that's all I can do!
I had been out of college a year, making plans to go to grad school, and planning for my future. I can’t even explain how scared I was as I'm sure many people here understand! I figured I had two choices, move on with my life or sit and feel sorry for myself. I moved on and did my best.
I have been incredibly fortunate that in 10 years I have gotten married, had two wonderful children, started and completed my PhD, and moved out of state…twice, and I’m in the best shape I have ever been!
Don't get me wrong; every morning is a struggle to make it a good day. Some days I fail miserably but most days I succeed. What choice do I have? I refuse to settle for a life that is mediocre!
Over these past 10 years I've been through a lot of crappy stuff as I'm sure everyone can identify with. I've been hospitalized; I've been poked for an IV so many times I stopped counting (I mean how many veins do we have to blow before we let someone else try!); I've experienced a lot of the side effects from the 4 different MS meds I've been on and who doesn't love the steroids and the associated insomnia! I also realize that there are worse things that I haven't experienced. I'm not sure if or when it will be my turn, but I won't let it ruin today.
Despite all of this, I've come a long way in 10 years. I am so very thankful that my MS does well with the dmds and that I've always had insurance. Back in 2004 I was afraid of what my life would be like in 2014. I don't know what the next 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years have in store for me, but I'll just continue to take it a day at a time and do my best because that's all I can do!
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