Multiple Sclerosis = Maze

By Jackie

Living with Multiple Sclerosis is like a maze, you never know what to expect around the next corner, roses or thorns

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie
• Release date: Jul 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9780620541978

Book preview

INDEX

1.Chapter One – My Life with Multiple Sclerosis

2.Chapter Two – Knowing it All

3.Chapter Three – Caring for a person with MS and Support

CHAPTER ONE

MY LIFE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

INDEX

1.The first three questions

2.Before Diagnosis

3.Diagnosis

4.My reaction and Feelings

5.Relapses

6.Research and knowing yourself

7.Family

8.Exercise and more ideas

9.Future and tips that helped make my life easier and more ideas

10.Support Groups

11.Epilogue

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1. The First Three Questions

1.1 What is Multiple Sclerosis?

It is an auto-immune disease and affects the brain, spinal cord and the optic nerve.

1.2 What causes MS?

Scientists have no idea what causes the disease, although they have a few ideas. Naturally I hope they find a cure very soon.

1.3 Is this a curable disease?

No. Unfortunately not.

2. Before Diagnosis

It all started in 2009..........

I was looking forward to a great future with my family, seeing that it was going to be the start of a new beginning for us. I have decided to start my own business in the coming year but before all of that we have planned a well-deserved holiday.

I have sold the shares that I owned in the company that I have been working for and the realisation that my dreams were going to come true started setting in. I was very excited and looked forward to the new challenges that were laying ahead for me in starting my own business and planning a perfect holiday.

We made plans on going down to the coast for two weeks and then spend one week in the bush where we were going to hunt. We had a wonderful holiday and had loads of fun. Not long after that my life took a dramatic turn.

On my birthday, 10 August 2009, I had a glass of wine which made me feel very drunk. I couldn’t understand what was going on as I only had one glass of wine. The first thought that went through my mind was that my child had never seen me drunk and this could be a huge embarrassment for me.

After a while I was getting concerned because the drunken feeling didn’t go away.

3. Diagnosis

By the 15th of August I was still dizzy and asked my husband to make an appointment with the doctor. When I arrived at the doctors rooms I could hardly walk and had no co-ordination whatsoever. The doctor immediately proceeded in doing tests on me and shortly after that he diagnosed me with upper-respiratory infection. He put me on a drip and sent me home.

Over and above the fact that this exercise cost a lot of money, nothing was achieved and I still felt the same. I was naturally very disappointed in the doctor and thought that he had no idea what he was doing.

By the 20th August I was still dizzy and still off balance.

My husband and I decided to go and see another Doctor whom we then contacted telephonically. The symptoms were explained to the Doctor and he confirmed that he would be making an appointment with an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. The appointment was made for the 31st of August 2009.

On my arrival they immediately proceeded with doing tests, which included having an MRI scan. With the scan they picked up that I have MS.

I was referred to a Neurologist and could only get an appointment with him for the 5th of September 2009. He had me admitted to hospital and requested another MRI scan as well as a lumber punch.

4. My Reaction and Feelings

This was a great shock for me and my family. The Doctor started explaining to me what kind of disease it was that I had. As I believe it would be with any person that had just been informed of an incurable disease that they have, I heard all the wrong information. I thought I was going to die and started crying. Being in that state of shock and as I was about to leave, the Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist said to me You must remember that God can still do wonders and that nothing is impossible for Him. All that you must do is pray and believe in Him.

I know there are people out there that have had the same feelings as me at that moment when being diagnosed. You are going through all these emotions. At that moment you feel so alone and in a very deep, dark hole (although there are lots of people around you), you feel afraid (your emotions are like a rollercoaster ride). You feel like a lab rat with all the different tests being done and all the puncture holes made with needles.

You are unsure of the day of tomorrow because this disease can change any second for the best or the worst, thus can you not prepare anything. Just when I thought I was done with the bad news the Neurologist informed me that I have little holes in my nails. That was terrible because I thought I had very healthy nails. You have to understand that I am very proud of my nails.

I always worry about the next day and wonder if I will feel miserable again. But I decided that I must believe and pray that I will get well again no matter what