Another Relapse

Saturday, November 27th, Casey, the kids and I had just got home from being gone all day.  We had a great week hanging out with our parents (his and mine).  Thanksgiving and the next day were pretty difficult with Brooke getting the stomach virus, but she was a trooper.  Anyway, Casey and I got in bed and man, did it feel good!  I noticed that my feet were tingling, but we had been running around all day.  So, I didn't think anything of it.  Sunday morning when I woke up the feeling was still there and now my legs, especially the right one, were feeling that way too.  Throughout the day the tingling, pins and needle and numbness got worse.  I was having a relapse of my MS.  Monday I went through "fix it" mode.  I thought maybe I could take some steroid pills that I had at home and knock this out.  Then it came time for me to drive home from work.  I took my foot off the gas pedal to press the brake, but wait.....!!!!....my car isn't stopping!!!!  I looked down and I was pressing down on the floor!  I hurried and stomped on the brake with my left foot causing everything in my car, including myself, to be thrown forward.  Thankfully, there wasn't anyone behind me and I started the whole stopping process way before I got to the light in front of me.  My heart was racing and I was shaking.  That was my wake up call telling me that this was serious and that after I got home I wouldn't drive anymore until I was better. 

My legs and feet have been numb as if they have "fallen asleep".  It feels that way all the time and walking makes it worse.  Imagine the feeling you get when your foot falls asleep.  It tingles and when you step the pins and needles feel like they are going up through your feet into your legs.  My right leg has become weak making it difficult to walk.  Using a cane has helped pick up the slack in my right leg and in balancing me.  I also did a steroid pack and had an IV of steroids for 3 days.  I'm starting to notice that my walk is getting a little better.  It's been 3 weeks since this has started and a week since I've finished the steroids.  Give me a couple more weeks and I'm sure I'll be running around like normal! 

Through this experience I've had to learn to ask for help, which I don't like to do.  But, I have the most wonderful family and husband that have been there even before I've had to ask.  God has really blessed me and shown me that through Him I have strength!

2010: A year of significant progress

Here is just a small sample of many important, potentially high-impact research results that occurred this year, presented according to three research approaches: stopping MS, restoring function, and ending MS forever.

Click on this link below to learn more about what has been done in 2010:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=4327

My Strength

"Grant me patience to deal with my blessings".  Sometimes blessings in your life aren't always easy.  For me, having multiple sclerosis has been a blessing, although it has been like a roller coaster for the last 7 years.  During the high points, I feel and look "normal".  During the lows, I have to remember that God gave me MS and He will help me through it.  Your mind can be a very powerful thing and I've been known in the past to freak myself out to the point where I won't take my medicine.  There was a time when I struggled to the point that if I would end up taking my medicine, it would be at 2:00am because I fought myself so much.  But, I've learned to give it over to God.  Now, each week when I have to take my medicine, I pray that God gives me the strength to shove that needle into my leg.  And, He does!  What a blessing it is to see Him work in my life each and every week!  It's still not an easy thing for me, but the One that bore the pain for my sins, comforts me through the pain when I take my medicine.

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me and blessing me with MS.