Famous people
Teri Garr
David Lander
FWMS Members
Veronica Davidson
Title 4
Title 5
SECTION 4
Title 1
Title 2
Title 3
Title 4
Title 5
Title 6
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My theory on how I got MS, My ex
husband gave it to me!!! June 28th, 2001, I kicked my husband out, because
he wouldn't get a job. The next day at work, I was standing there talking
to a client and all on a sudden my left side went numb and I felt really
strange, I must have looked odd to,
because the client asked "Are you O.K.?
I said "hum...I don't know?" After she left I started staggering all over
and couldn't hardly pick up me feet to walk. I told my boss
something is very wrong, I'm going to finish my work (I still had 2 dogs
to finish grooming) and then I need to go home. I barely finished those
dogs and went home, I laid down on the sofa, and couldn't get back up, no
energy what so ever . I literally crawled to the bathroom to go!
The next day I called in sick for the 1st time in almost 7 years of
working at my job. A friend came over and drove me to my doctor, my
regular GP wasn't in that day, so I saw someone different. I was convinced
I had a virus, or a stroke, which all he could harp on was that I smoked,
urghhhh!!! I told him, look I know smoking is bad, but I just got
separated yesterday an d I feel very bad right now. I thought it must be my
sinuses, so doctor gives me antibiotics and prednisone and sent me home. I
rested that day and even called in sick for the next day, which was going
to be Saturday. By Monday I went back to work, still feeling pretty bad,
and still numb, but functioning. I figured the antibiotics were kicking
in!! Who knew it was the prednisone!!
I still kept thinking it was sinuses, something pressing on my brain
causing the numbness, and the burning eyes were just part of the virus
too. Actually I thought all these strange things were sinuses. With in a
couple of days I decided I needed to sweat this thing out, so I went out
in 100 degree heat and mowed my grass. I thought I would die!!!!! Oh yeah,
BTW, it didn't work!
After the antibiotics and prednisone were gone, I started falling down and
bouncing into walls, finally one morning on my way to work, my car kept
trying to run off the road, I couldn't figure out why, but I decided I was
having equilibrium problems. I got to work and decided to run up to my
doctor to see if he could do something about these sinus problems again.
My regular GP was there, thank God for that, so I told him all the things
that have been going on for a month now, he checked my sinuses and said
they're clear, those symptoms sound like MS, I was floored!!!!!! I managed
to keep from crying, until I got back in my car to go back to work.
Like everyone else, I had heard of the disease but really didn't know
anything about it, but I knew it was a very bad thing!!! After work I went
home and decided I wouldn't research until I got another opinion. I tried
to take a nap, but I just HAD TO KNOW about MS. I got on the puter and
looked it up, and went to symptoms, As I was going down the list, I said,
yep, this is what I have, I know it!!
Because of the lack of insurance, I went to county hospital, and found out
nothing, including that I didn't qualify for financial help with the MRI.
I ended up paying $1500 dollars for an MRI, which made it official, the
date then was August 30,2001.
The more research I did, the more I thought, well this won't be too bad,
go in to remission, and I'll be fine. I stayed on prednisone for 4 months,
I quit falling down and didn't run into walls like bumper cars, but the
strange feelings and numbness were still there. Then I went to a support
group meeting after 2 months of dx. That's when I first found out this IS
remission!!!! I was devastated! I was thinking I want to end it all, I
can't live this way for the rest of my life!!!! If it weren't for my
golden, Oliver, I don't know if I would be here right now. I could write
everyone and explain and say I'm sorry, but he would have never
understand, so I continued on.
My Dr. referred my to a great nuero, who got me into the rebif trails in
Dec. 2001. Not having ins. is a big problem with MS. After being on the
drug for 12 weeks I noticed I went from sleeping 14 hours a day to
sleeping 7 hours, no naps!! I also noticed some of the numbness was
getting not as bad.
During the first year of dx, I went through all the stages, depression,
denial, bargaining, why me, and all the other ones too, I think there are
twelve. Then finally, after about a year, now finally acceptance and
peace.
In some way, I think MS was a kind of blessing in disguise. I have made
some really good friends, found out who my friends really are, really try
to enjoy life and appreciate everything about it, have figured out what's
really important in life, and don't take things for granted either. Before
MS, I considered myself a pessimist, now I'm a different optimist!!! I
have learned to ask for help, change a few things to make things easier
for me to do, and get organized.
I believe there are three things you can do to keep yourself healthier
longer, stay out of the heat, stay positive, and keep a sense of humor!!!!
The way that I look at it now is, I get all the best parking, and I can
take my dog anyway I go now.. TOOO COOOL!!!!!
Laurie
*click here to
see her photo album* |
