Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Yes that is what I said: Me and My MS. As problems go, I am supposed to own this one, and so I say that I do. But like bad gas at the Office Holiday Party, I would really like to be free of this one.

My MS journey began in 1987. I was 22 at the time and single, living the hardworking life of a single mother of one child. I was progressively-minded, and so I enrolled at the local community college. So you see, I had quite a few things going on in my life at the same time. I was a busy person.

However, one day I woke up and could not see. My screams alerted my landlady who came running downstairs to see what was wrong with me.. I ended up at the ER, where I stayed for two long, grueling weeks. At first, the ER dr thought maybe I had endured some type of trauma to my head. But there had been no trauma, just a busy lifestyle. For a young person like me, that was expected.

When the CT results came back, it was found that i had a swollen brain that was in turn aggravating my optic nerves, causing blindness. Whew!! finally an answer. The drs explained the best known treatment for those symptoms were steroids, and they wanted to start me on them right away. They also advised me of the side effects and long term damage that the steroids may cause.

Soon, I was feeling better, and discharge plans were made. At the time, I was aching to go home. I would have to continue the steroid regimen at home too. It was explained to me over and over again that down the road this treatment may cause me great complications, but it was the best tool for this battle. Those warnings did come to fruition…twenty-two years later!! Now my fight has become even more complicated in that I have to fight for my mobility, and abilities, but I also have to fight to keep my eyesight.

When I say things like “I am effin’ Sick and Tired…” I really do mean it!! Honest.