It was August. The day was sunny, hot, and humid - nothing too unusual. I woke that morning with a strange feeling in my feet. The best way I can describe it is when your foot feels like its asleep. I had felt this feeling before, but blamed it on poor circulation. This time, however, it was different. When I stood up, I felt dizzy. It was hard to keep my balance...I felt a fatigue that I have never felt before. Was it the flu, I thought.
The symptoms were just too much for me to go to work. I called out and told them I was feeling ill. Well, the only thing I could do was go back to bed. My mom told me, later that day, that she had heard that there was a virus going around. Naturally, I thought thats what I had. For the next few days, I rested, ate soup, and drank ginger ale. Nothing helped. I then began to vomit. No matter what I tried, food would not stay down. I had to go to the doctors.
Well, the outcome of that visit was treated as just a virus. The doc advised me to keep doing what I had been doing all along. I was sent home without any meds. The fatigue was so strong that I could barely stand up for a minute before being too tired that I had to sit down.
It was enough to drive a person insane.
About 3 weeks later I saw a neurologists and she said she thought it might be Multiple Sclerosis. No...it couldn't be, I thought. I went for an MRI of the brain and spine and sure enought the labs showed white spots on my brain and lower spine.
I was in denial. I needed a second opinion and didn't get one until January - 4 months later. I had enough of the imbalance, problems walking and feet tingling.
My new neurologists was more compassionate and understanding. He told me about Tysabri and said he believed I was a good candidate for the medication. After I thought about it for a month, I decided to go on it.
I currently have had my 20th dosage. I thank God every day that I am healthy and that this medication has not harmed me. I pray for a cure soon and have faith that it will happen in my lifetime.
Friday, August 1, 2008
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