Hi. My name is Joseph-aka-Joe33647
Thanks for reading about my ms “career”. It goes back a few years like most of us. In my late teen’s I’d have numbness or tingling but I wrote it off as having too much “fun” since it would always go away. In 1976 I woke up one day with sharp pain and no sight in my left eye. This was NOT going away even for a guy who thought he was bullet proof. After a visit to the doctor I find out I have optic neuritis. All the doctor could tell me was that I had a virus in my system that settled in my eye. The treatment was prednisone and a pirate patch which was ok by me since I had just bought a boat.
Years go by and now it’s 1981 and I’m married 14 months when one day I wake up and the left side of my body from head to toe is COMPLETELY numb. After a trip to the “family doctor” he refers me to a neurologist. One office visit later my life is changed. I’m told I have multiple sclerosis which I had never heard of but we’ll go to the hospital for a spinal tap to confirm. It’s confirmed. I’m told people get three types of m.s. There are the people that have no problems, the ones that have intermittent problems and then the ones that have big problems. Of course my next question was how to be the “no problem guy” only to find out that there was no cure, not even a treatment. The only advise I got from the doctor was to “go home and live my life” since he said no exercise or diet could alter the course of the disease. I was determined to be the no problem guy but as you can see from my picture I miscalculated a little bit. lol
The company I worked for in New York City moved their computer operations to Tampa and invited me to go. After a look-see trip Florida became home in 1987. After working only six months in Florida I needed a rest. My new neurologist rxed me a month off which has turned into twenty years November 07. By now my marriage was in shambles but we thought a fresh start in a new place would help. Another miscalculation on my part but I do have two sons that I love very much and that’s a good thing. My marriage ended in 1993 but the boys live with me.
Despite the limitations multiple sclerosis has put in my life I am very lucky to have fantastic family and friends. I really believe life is what you make of it and I’m choosing to be positive and enjoy all the blessings that come my way!
