My First Year with MS

January 20th, 2012

This is the last picture taken before I was admitted to the hospital. I took this picture to show Chris how much snow we still had at home. He was living in Nevada at the time. We had lived apart for almost 4 months at this point.

 

January 21st, 2012

 

This is the first picture taken after I left the hospital. Sixth Nerve Palsy, Optic Neuritis, whatever you want to call it, my left eye wasn't working. The doctor told me I have the signs and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis but I need to go to the Neurologist to confirm. It's around midnight and I am on the phone with Chris in Las Vegas. He is freaking out. I had Jessica take this picture to show Chris just how okay I was.

 

Since that day I have had two MRI's, an Electromyography and Nerve conduction study, numerous doctors appointments and many questionable moments. I have learned how to give myself a subcutaneous injection. I know how I feel when I am on or off my meds. I have experienced the major side effects of them including blacking out, falling and having a minor seizure. Thankfully Chris was there for that one. I have endured the minor side effects, including giant raised welts like this one.

 

This one is my thigh. I will spare you the details of the ones on my hips. I outlined the edge in pen so I could monitor its growth. This is roughly 5 minutes after injection.

 

I know which leg is my lazy leg. I know how to shake the feeling back into my hands when they go numb. I know how exhausting the heat can be for a person with MS.

 

 

Even in the air conditioned apartment I used a lot of ice packs. I would sit at the bakery with them tucked down my shirt on my chest and lower back. Chris thought this one was particularly funny one day.

 

 It's amazing how crappy I felt in Las Vegas and didn't realize it wasn't normal until I moved to a cooler climate. Now I mostly feel great. I say mostly because I have recently came to the end of an episode. For all of November and December I had a hard time sleeping through the night. Both of my arms were going completely numb while I was sleeping. Numb doesn't always imply a lack of sensation. Sometimes it's a metric ton of sensations that cause pins and needle pains from the shoulders down. That make it hard to clench and unclench your hands. I wasn't sure if this was MS related or if I was developing some sort of tunnel syndrome. But one day it just stopped. That day was December 31st. I haven't had any pain or numbness since. I haven't changed anything and it just stopped. Sometimes I wonder if my Mom prayed to God I wouldn't be in pain anymore as that was the day of her 49th birthday.

 

But inspite of all this I would call this a banner year. I have learned a lot about myself and my life. I have learned who my true friends are. In fact somethimes I think the reason I haven't made a single friend in the last year is because I already have the best ones possible.

 

 

I have learned to take advantage of every possible opportunity, even if it seems mundane.

 

 

I have learned that you don't need a table and chairs to have the best meal of your life. Every meal you have with the person you love the most is the best. Even sitting on the floor of your entirely empty apartment. ( We couldn't afford furniture yet.)

 

And despite moving between three states Chris and I have both found ourselves working in the fields  we love. I'm a baker now. And for the first time ever I love my job. Not just tolerate it. I love it. It's where my natural talents are.

 

 

 

And a giant thank you and I love you to my wonderful husband Chris. Who is patient and caring and my equally goofy other half. We know there are going to be a lot of twists in our road ahead and I know you are never going to let go of my hand.