My MS Story

I am writing this blog to specifically reach Arkansans who are newly diagnosed with MS. I have been where you are now.

I was officially diagnosed February 15, 1993. Eight days before my 38th birthday. Like you, my diagnosis totally caught me offguard. I just walked away from an abusive spouse with a three-year-old little boy in tow. I woke up on a Saturday morning with my left arm tingling. I thought I had slept on it wrong, but by Sunday evening that tingling had affected the total left side of my body. All the way down to my toes. I was scared. I had a lot of questions flowing through my mind. What was next?

I was blessed with all the right doctors. The diagnosis was quick. Once again God was with me. Betaseron, the only MS drug treatment available, was becoming available to MS patients through a lottery system. Because I was a single parent at that time, my doctor convinced the pharmaceutical company to rush my number forward. I started my treatment on June 17, 1994. One year later I remarried to a good man.

My last exacerbation attack was May 1999. I graduated from college December 2002. That little boy is now a man at age 21.
You can move forward with an MS diagnosis. I have MS, but MS doesn't have me. Learn about the disease and then plan to move forward.



Tuesday, February 22, 2011

What Does MS= Mean to You?

  • MS = Scheduling my day around my fatigue.
  • MS = Digging a little deeper into my memory files to find the right thought or word and hoping I find it.
  • MS = Living my life my way regardless of MS.
  • MS = Constantly telling those around me who know about my MS that I'm doing OK when they ask with puppy dog eyes, "How are you doing?"
  • MS = Lots of notes posted on my computer, refrigerator, bathroom mirror, in my car, etc.
March 14-20, 2011, is MS Awareness Week. This is a week recognized by Arkansas' Governor Mike Beebe. The challenge anyone with a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis has is educating employers, family and friends. You can use this special week to inform and educate those who are a part of our lives and the general public. An MS diagnosis just means we have to make changes to the way we live, but not our lives. Here is the MS Awareness Campaign website that can give you ideas about what you can contribute to MS Awareness week: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/ms-equals/index.aspx. You can also contact the Arkansas NMSS Chapter at (501) 663-8104

What does MS= mean to you? Share your thoughts.
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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

You have been diagnosed with MS. What's Next!

If you live in Arkansas and recently received a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, you can have peace of mind. I'm here to help guide you to some starting points.
  1. Find a good neurologist. Unfortunately, the best of the best, Dr. Lee Archer at UAMS, is no longer taking new patients. Contact the Arkansas Multiple Sclerosis Society for some suggestions in finding the right neurologist. When you visit the neurologist have a list of questions prepared. Don't be afraid to Ask, Ask, and Ask more questions. Peace of mind comes when you have answers to your questions.
  2. Contact the Arkansas Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Arkansas MS Society is supported by some great Arkansas people. Call them, visit the website or visit with them. They will gladly help you. Also, visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at http://www.nmss.org/. There is more helpful information there too. 
  3. Be sure to educate yourself about MS. Your education begins with numbers 1 and 2.
  4. Don't be afraid. There are six new MS drug treatments available. Your neurologist should know which one will be the right one for you. You need to start your treatment as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with relapsing and remitting MS, a quick start with your medication will allow you to have Momentum throughout the majority of your life.
  5. How do  you live with MS? That's just it. You live your life. Today, because of some great research, you will be able to live your life with the same zeal and momentum you had before your diagnosis. You have been diagnosed with a chronic disease. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure are chronic diseases. People with a chronic disease live a very normal life. Yes, your symptoms won't let you forget you have MS, but continue to live. Keep doing what you did yesterday and the day before. Keep living and keep moving!
  6. Remember you are not alone! Follow my blog. I hope to have more followers in the future. I would like this blog to become a forum for those who are newly diagnosed and they need to talk about their concerns and feelings. We are here to support you.
This is my first post. There is so much more information to come.
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