MS In The Raw: An inspirational book for people living with MS

By Dr. Stacey Cadaval DNP

Dr. Cadaval, DNP was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2013, and tells of how MS has changed her life. She discusses her struggles in living with this relentless disease on a daily basis. After overcoming anger and depression, she decided to fight back. She has been fighting back every single day since. This book in an inspirational book for people living with MS, and how this disease does not define them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098387815

Book preview

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Copyright © 2021 Dr. Stacey Cadaval, DNP

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN (Print): 978-1-09838-780-8

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-09838-781-5

Acknowledgement:

I would like to thank my husband for being my rock. He has always encouraged me to live my dreams. I would like to thank my children who watch me suffer from this relentless disease every day, and continue to love and support me.

Disclaimer:

This book strictly entails my story and real stories from other people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is an inspirational book and not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from your primary care provider or neurologist with any questions that you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking your primary care provider or neurologist because of something you may have read in this book.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

References

Chapter 1

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

—John Wooden.

What is MS?

Before I dive right into my story and the stories of others, I need to discuss a little bit about what Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is, and the risk factors. For people with MS, this will be a quick review. But I want to make sure that anyone reading this; can understand this disease. Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system, including the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. The body’s immune system attacks its own nerves. The nerves have a protective sheath covering it called myelin. Nerves communicate from your brain and the rest of your body. MS can cause deterioration or complete damage to the nerve fibers. When this happens, it can block or slow communication from the brain. It takes more effort and time for the brain to relay the messages and then coordinate the movements. When this process continues to do its damage, scar tissue called sclerosis forms, hence the name Multiple Sclerosis. This can cause several different symptoms. Symptoms vary from person to person, but below are a few of the common ones. You can have numbness or tingling in your legs, or one entire side of your body. You can have vision or bowel/bladder dysfunction. You can have fatigue or dizziness. You can have memory impairment. You can be sensitive to heat. You can have difficulty with walking. Each person can have various symptoms ranging from fully functioning to using a wheelchair or being bed-bound. That’s why this disease is so complex.

There are three types of MS. Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS), Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS), and Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS).

Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

About 85% of people have RRMS. RRMS has clearly defined relapses and progressive disease. During the relapses you can have a return of previous symptoms or entirely new symptoms for more than 24 hours. They have exacerbations of new or worsening neurological symptoms, and then followed by remissions. During the remissions patients can have no symptoms at all, to symptoms that continue and can be permanent. These remissions can last from a few months to years. With this type of MS, no apparent progression of the disease will occur.

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Half of the people with RRMS will eventually convert to SPMS. With SPMS the disease disability gradually increases with or without evidence of relapses or MRI changes. This is called secondary because the progressive phase happens after the RRMS stage.

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

PPMS occurs in about 15% of people diagnosed with MS. PPMS has a steady progression of without relapses or remissions. It is called primary because the progression of the disease happens first, unlike the secondary progressive. These people have more lesions in their spinal cord, and are more likely to be in a wheelchair or bed-bound.

Women are two-thirds more likely to get MS than men. The cause of MS is still unknown. There are several theories as to why MS occurs, but still no concrete evidence. There are several risk factors for MS. Epstein Barr Virus has been linked to MS. This is the virus that causes mononucleosis (kissing disease). I was diagnosed with EBV as a teenager. I believe this virus has a link into why I eventually was