My name is Nellie . . . 
I remember sitting on my bed, when the phone rang. I was expecting this call. The voice on the other end, informed me that I was 99% diagnosed with MS. I asked him what was that 1% going to do for me? He found that a bit humorous, and said, ok, your diagnosed is 100%, you have MS. These are words that still echo in my head after three years. I was Dx'd June 04
Even before that day I had started looking for people that shared my systems, hoping I would find someone that would tell me that it wasn't anything serious, I was going to be ok. Found too many people with my first system, Optical Neuritis. Commonly found in people with MS. I was catapulted into a world, I knew nothing about, I became scared. Oddly enough those people that I had reached out in MS chat room, and MS boards, were the ones that reached out to me. This is where I found my good friend Audrey. Like me, she didn't know what was going on. We were diagnoses weeks apart. We communicated often, and talked about mostly everything about our fears of the unknown. I must admit, she was stronger than I was, knowing something about MS. I on the other hand knew Nothing, only that Montel Williams was afflicted with this disease.
As time went on, I had educated myself with MS, arming myself with knowledge, and disappointments. Hearing too often words like might find a cure, we think, it may, also hearing the possibility of something coming down the pipes soon. All were nothing but empty promises to me. I still kept my hopes up, and besides, my MS friends would not let me throw in the towel.
Yes, I have met so many great people. People I have grown to consider my family. I have to mention one very special person. It appears that everytime I was down, she would call, not saying anything put playing her piano. Louisa, always knew what to play, and then after that told me to keep strong. So, you see I have lots of very special friends from all over that really care for me. Give up? Nah, can't, my friends will come kick my ass, especially my friend in Florida, who has heard me cry so many times, and has understood.
I am glad for all my friends, glad to know them, glad to have them in my life. I expect to meet many more, and one day be able to look them in the eye and thank them all for their support.
Something else about me; I am Divorced, two grown wonderful children, both married, and out the house. I have three grandkids that I adore. I am a kindergarten teach of 20 years, but thinking of retiring. I am on Avonex. I live in NYC, and I am a Puerto Rican lady with a good heart. If ever around my way, drop by, will love to cook a Spanish dish for you, lol.
