Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Life is Full of Ups and Downs

I debated on posting this...One week before the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, I lost the vision in my left eye. An ophthalmologist diagnosed me with a "Marcus-Gunn" pupil, meaning my pupil was not responding to light and that meant it was something in my brain. She ordered an MRI which showed 18 brain lesions typically found in people with Multiple Sclerosis. Because I was not in the typical age-group for MS, it was not definite. On Sept. 3, 2013 I saw a neuro-ophthalmologist at Methodist Hospital in Houston. The doctor asked some questions: Have you ever had any other vision issues, double vision, flashes of light? Yes and yes. Have you ever had numbness? YES. I told him that 12 years ago, my legs were numb for several months and I saw a neurologist and had a spinal MRI that showed no lesions (no MS). And over the years, I had double vision (blamed on dry eyes by the dr.) My arms and legs would be numb for periods of several days to several weeks (blamed pinched nerves). I had chronic fatigue and brain fog (blamed on stress). Dr. Lee gave me the name of the MS specialist at Baylor. He told me I didn't have to call...some people leave his office and don't want to know. Of course, I had to know. Several weeks later, I had a spinal MRI and it revealed 8 lesions, which confirms MS. I chose to inject myself with Copaxone and my doctor said it would be about six months before the medication would be in my bloodstream.
Finally, in March, I could feel the cloud lift. I joined the gym, hired a personal trainer and decided to eat cleaner. I don't want to give MS a reason to come back.
Looking back,sometimes I'm frustrated. For years, I had complained to various doctors about my vision, numbness and extreme fatigue.
However, I know I can not change the past...only move on.
Most importantly, I don't look too far into the future (after all, the future isn't promised to anyone). I take one day at a time...today I can see and today I can walk.
In March 2015, I was featured in an ad for my gym.  It was quite an achievement.  I continue to work out daily and eat "clean".  My latest MRI revealed only one new brain lesion. 
By posting this, I hope my story can help someone else.

4 comments:

  1. You look amazing! More importantly you are healthy! Way to take control of your life! I aspire to be like that!

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  2. Very inspiring & touching story. Thank you for sharing.
    http://learningattheteachertable.blogspot.com/

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