If I were to see my life now from when I was 37 ( my year of diagnosis), I would smile & be happy for myself, but I would wonder about my journey! At that age of 37 I finally got a diagnosis after symptoms for 15+years. I was struggling to figure out how to work, drive, and be a single mom, let alone be happy & in a great marriage.
I worked hard, played hard and crashed hard. At 42 I got a delightful case of Transverse Myelitis on top of MS, that almost got me. I had ignored 2 infections in favor of attending school! Funny how our priorities can get messed up and I soon discovered I was about to learn how messed up things could get.
My life completely changed after TM hit. It paralyzed me from my shoulders down so of course a wheelchair became my friend. I lost many “things” during this time but I gained a whole lot of courage I never knew I had.
I learned the courage to endure loneliness I had never felt before. I learned to have faith in my ability to survive a tough life and still come out ok. I met new friends and turned a hobby into a business. I gained the confidence to start active rehabilitation to walk again and 3 years later I took my first walk around my buildings block. I learned at an older and wiser age, that I could find a man to love me with all my baggage; especially the not knowingness of MS.
I have really learned to jump out of my comfort zone and live in a developing country where MS is not on the radar for common diseases! That has made me learn to take better care of myself. It has challenged me many times as I struggle to manage heat. My husband is my rock and he knows being here is my dream but is ok with the possibility of having to return to the states if need be.
I have to say I worked hard to be where I am but it does feel like a dream at times!
I worked hard, played hard and crashed hard. At 42 I got a delightful case of Transverse Myelitis on top of MS, that almost got me. I had ignored 2 infections in favor of attending school! Funny how our priorities can get messed up and I soon discovered I was about to learn how messed up things could get.
My life completely changed after TM hit. It paralyzed me from my shoulders down so of course a wheelchair became my friend. I lost many “things” during this time but I gained a whole lot of courage I never knew I had.
I learned the courage to endure loneliness I had never felt before. I learned to have faith in my ability to survive a tough life and still come out ok. I met new friends and turned a hobby into a business. I gained the confidence to start active rehabilitation to walk again and 3 years later I took my first walk around my buildings block. I learned at an older and wiser age, that I could find a man to love me with all my baggage; especially the not knowingness of MS.
I have really learned to jump out of my comfort zone and live in a developing country where MS is not on the radar for common diseases! That has made me learn to take better care of myself. It has challenged me many times as I struggle to manage heat. My husband is my rock and he knows being here is my dream but is ok with the possibility of having to return to the states if need be.
I have to say I worked hard to be where I am but it does feel like a dream at times!
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