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JEFFS
LEE, NY
43 YEAR YOUNG
MARRIED
25 YEARS
SON - 23
DAUGHTER -21
GRANDAUGHTER - 1
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Hello,
My name is Jeff. I have MS. The relapsing remitting type. You know, relapses come and go, then back again someday. I was almost declared secondary progressive. That never happened. Now for a little about me.
I grew up in a small town and graduated high school with 68 students. So small that fun on Halloween was to take a tractor with a manuer spreader full of pumpkins down Main Street and toilet people’s car door handles. Woo hoo. Maybe MS is payback hahahha.
I married the girl that went to school with me. It seems odd that were still together for so long. Must be true love. We’ve been thru hell and back, but I suppose its how you pick up the pieces and move on.
I joined the United States Air Force after graduating from high school. All I knew is that I missed home and what the hell did I do. When basic training was almost over, I was told….well the guaranteed job you selected for joining can’t be offered as you have a color vision problem. So I became an administrator instead of an electronics specialist, though my score was 98 on the ASVAB test to get in. See, I took two years of electronics in high school and wanted that to me my goal in life. My admin career took me down another path of people and politics.
Tami and I got married shortly after my arrival at all places, 90 miles from home. HAHAHA. Then shortly thereafter Tami joined the Air Force too. We’ve worked together for the longest time. After 3 years of marriage we had our first baby. A boy. Then a year later a girl. If you raised children, then I will say my experience was no different than yours. HAHAHA. I love my children very much. I’m very proud of them. Proud of my wife too.
Part of my job in the service was to deploy personnel around the world. Once I was selected to participate on a base exercise. This is when my problems with my health began. On our way home a tractor trailer hit the back end of our bus. It was part of our two vehicle convoy (huge huh). Everyone was hurt. My back and neck were killing me. Shortly, thereafter we moved to England. Stayed there for 8 years. But in 1992 we both left the service on an early out being offered. I took it after 14 years because I couldn’t run with my unit. I could always pass my annual aerobics by fast paced walking at twice the distance, but not run.
After my voluntary separation from the Air Force, I worked for RadioShack but in 1995 things was going to change again. While helping a customer, I lost control of my right arm. It wasn’t complete control but enough were I hit the shelf with my hand, and my arm became numb and tingly. I went to my doctor, and he ordered an MRI right away. Called me and said, well I need to see you. I was told I had a herniated disc C6 C7 and a mass at C3. They sent me to a neuro surgeon and I had another MRI inside that week. After seeing him for a couple years he said I had Transverse Mellitus. A viral disease of the spinal cord. I would have episodes (relapses) and be treated with dexamethyzone, a steroid.
In 2001 I had other issues and was told to get a cardiolite stress test for my heart. The cardiologist said I have a spot they want to explore doing a heart cath. He explained it to me and I was all stressed out. This is when I learned stress is a problem with MS. Well don’t you know my entire left side went numb. I called my neuro, was given treatment of dex again, and put off the heart cath. Relief….woo hoo. I seen my neuro, but also researched transverse mellitus. I found that TM sometimes was a misdiagnosis when it could be MS. More MRI’s happened and confirmation made by a neurologist. The new guy wanted a history so I brought a copy of my military medical records. He pointed out that my records had entries for MS. Can you believe it! What am I! An experiment. Man! I was upset. I was diagnosed definite MS…RRMS.
I went to the Veterans Administration and they gave me a battle for confirmation of compensation. I went to my congressman and got my appointment and approval. I have cervical and lumbar spondilosis, thoracic spine injury, degenerative disc disease, and MS on top of that.
My last relapse got me worried as my entire body except one arm and my head were numb, tingly and I could barely move. This introduced my first round of IV steroids. I wanted my dex because that always worked. Fortunately, the IV roids got me up and around.
I’m a believer of state of mind is state of health. This includes diet & exercise. I know about the last two because I don’t practice that at times and suffer the consequences for it. Don’t let people bring you down. Don’t get offended when someone says you look great!....God you have that going for you! Be happy. If you feel 100% cool. If not that’s fine too. Just enjoy your life. Maybe our body is telling us too…..I don’t let other people problems become mine anymore. I still care. But the bible says to take the plank out of your eye first before you help the other. That doesn’t mean become self centered….just take care of yourself.
Well that’s my story. Oh, I’ve met so many great friends with MS. Some who have pulled me through much. We’re a close group of people that care and want to have fun and forget about our worries. Don’t get caught up in games, clicks, etc. Just remember, the reality you can touch and feel everyday shapes your life for tomorrow. Choose wisely.
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