Diagnosis Day
For quite awhile i have gone back and forth about having a blog. My excuse was always, like many of you, "I'm too busy", but i am learning it's all a matter of what you make be a priority. My first priority is my family, second is to me. I need to be healthier so i can enjoy my family. The only way to keep my disease at bay (along with treatments), is to keep my body in pristine condition. So begins my new journey. If i write it down i will be more accountable right?
15 months ago, July 2008, i was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), so not what i wanted to hear the day we were celebrating my son's 11th birthday. I sent his dad home to run the birthday party and i waited and waited for test after test to try and find an answer. My dad came and sat with me until one came, INCONCLUSIVE; MORE TESTS NEEDED, then we left for home. At home, phone calls were made to many Neurologists and that night, my inlaws arrived from AZ. I am so blessed to have them in my life. They spent their entire vacation taking care of me and my kids, dh helped a little too :) They helped me get through a very tough time, i am lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. They helped me survive rather than retreat.
The following days and months were difficult, i won't lie. My left side was numb, i was blind (Optic Neuritis) in my left eye and very weak on my right side. I tripped over lines in the pavement with no explanation. I felt like a clutz, like i was learning to walk all over again. I was too afraid to drive and stayed home A LOT because i was too scared to go anywhere. I was on Prednisone for a monthish and eventually the flare up diminished. Shortly after that i got Shingles, which is SO not fun. Not only did it hurt, but it smelled. Thankfully the biggest patch only got to be 2"x 3" before they stopped moving. I had a total of 4 spots and still have marks to prove it.
Today, it has been 14 months since my D Day (Diagnosis Day). I am grateful for answers and for my overall health because it sure beats where I was 5 years ago, which is the first time i had symptoms but no one could diagnose it. Between the steroids and meds i take, i have gained weight. I thought that was just part of the disease and my new fight. I met a lady last night, Wendy, who has been diagnosed for 11 years and is in the best shape ever, what an inspiration. I don't have to live like this if i don't want to, and i don't. Today begins a new day, a new quest in my life. To overcome my obstacles and be in the best shape for my kids and hubby. I plan to live wheelchair free for a LONG time. Someday I might even be able to play basketball again or even get up the guts to go skiing again. Until then, its the treadmill or DVD exercise videos. Vertigo + hiking is pretty scary, i did that 2 weeks ago and that was enough adventure for me for a bit. Anyone wanna bike to Antelope Island with me? Just the causeway part.