My name is Carol, I was diagnosed
with RRMS in November of 1995, I am 51
years old and I live in southern Maine. My earliest awareness of an MS
symptom
occurred in 1983 while I was putting my shoes on to go out to an Autumn
Fair and
my feet felt "weird".. all evening long, some of the
sensation
was missing along with pins and needles feeling. The feelings went away
after a
nights sleep.
From 1986 to 1995 I worked as a CNA at a
nursing home facility, during my
tenure there I had many instances of dizziness, blurred vision,
fatigue, weakness, but I continued working and even
took a course to
become a Hospice Volunteer. On the day I graduated and recieved my
Hospice
diploma I was having difficulty picking up my right leg to walk and I
barely
made it throught the parking lot to my car, it was as if I was walking
through
knee high mud.
After a call to my doctor and a
visit to the neurologist...many tests, MRI,
Lumbar Puncture, it was confirmed, yes I have MS.
In retrospect I
think I knew it was MS, I had other disquieting symptoms, my bladder
was
unpredictable, I experienced urgency, or I could'nt go. My feet were
frozen and
felt cold to the touch, my symptoms waxed and waned for a long
time. I
took care of MS patients, I knew the signs, but I was in denial.
I no longer work, everyday is a challenge
living with
MS, I have good and bad
days, but I've learned that positive thinking and staying away from
"toxic" people ( those that make you feel bad) In
my case
I ended my 30 year marriage. That along with gentle yoga stretches,
eating
healthy food, taking my vitamins and drinking plenty of water
and
cranberry juice helps to keep my bladder in check.
I have been on Avonex since 1996, so far it
is working for me. My gait
isn't perfect and I walk with a limp, I use a cane when I need to and I
still
have moments of great fatigue and some congnitive memory loss. I still
drive my
car short distances. I've learned to say no when I can't do
something, and
treat myself to lunches out with my daughters, who happen to be my best
friends
(seen in photo). In October of 2007 I will be a
grandmother for the
first time. I feel blessed dispite my illness...
My Mother used to tell me that the Lord never
gives us more than we can
handle. Mom passed away in 2000, I believe that she is my guardian
angel always
by my side helping me to walk on..
God Bless you Mom
Michelle's 30 Week Belly
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