Since March Is MS AWARENESS MONTH, I wanted to do something special. I cannot think of anything more special, than to introduce you to others that are more aware of MS every single day. We all live it, so this is the real MS. These are the REAL stories and the REAL people that have it. You will see all types and stages of MS. I hope you see how different it can be for everyone.. I would like to add before I start this.(as I always do) check with your Dr before you change anything in your own personal MS regimen. What works for one may not be the answer for another. ~ Nancy
I remember driving down the road one day when all of a sudden my legs, and my forearms started cramping so bad it terrified me, my hands went numb, I immediately pulled over and called my Doctor, he told me to get to his office right then. He knew that he, and other Doctor’s had spent years trying to figure out what was wrong with me.
I had been tested for lupus, narcolepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and on, and on. When I got to his office after experiencing terrible leg cramps, leg weakness,and pain all over for years, he said, “I probably shouldn’t tell you this but I think you may have MS, I’m going to send you to a neurologist.” I was stunned of course, but after years you start thinking you might be a hypochondriac, so I went to the neurologist. All of his initial tests indicated a high probability of MS, but he was not convinced. He gave me medicine for numbness cramps and pain, and I went back to him monthly with worsening symptoms each month, he was still not convinced.
In early March 2012, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she was to have surgery on March 27th, so I took off work and said I would be back when I knew she was ok. I noticed at the hospital my legs hurt worse and worse, and got weaker and weaker. I thought it was because I had been off work for awhile. I started taking the stairs instead of the elevator, (BIG MISTAKE), that only made it worse
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Mom had her surgery, was in intensive care almost dead for 9 day’s, she recovered and went to rehab, she had been there a week when her Doctor told my dad and I that she was dying, and that we should call Hospice and let her come home. We did just that. We got her home and they let me take care of her, I asked if I could, by God’s grace I did, she was with us for 12 more day’s. She died surrounded by her 5 son’s, myself and my dad, her husband of 58 years.
I told all of that because, 2 weeks later I was paralyzed on my left side, my eye’s got so blurry I could not see, I lost all control of my bladder, my legs were in excruciating pain, and I could not swallow food or liquids,I was rushed to my neurologist, he was convinced, they did an MRI, and a spinal tap. I was finally diagnosed. I decided on the advice of my Doctor to go to an MS specialist, she is convinced based on my history of symptoms, that I have had it since at least my late teens, so I was diagnosed in June 2012, I was 46.
I would say to anyone newly diagnosed, try not to panic it does change your life, but it can change in good ways, I have met so many wonderful, strong, funny people through this, I am in support groups that are awesome. We laugh, we cry together, but we laugh more than anything!
If you are going through a rough time, I would tell you don’t hesitate to reach out to someone, your Doctor, your best friend, anyone you need to. If you need to cry, scream, get mad, do it and then let it go, you will still have great day’s ahead!
I will say that I have my ups and downs, good day’s, and bad day’s,but I have wonderful friends and support and best of all my two sons, Matt, and Denton.
They give me so much love and support. They keep me going when I don’t want too. I am so blessed .Matt is 26, married to my beautiful, sweet daughter in law Mandie, expecting their first baby,(my first Grandchild),September 23rd.
My youngest son Denton is about to be 21, he is in the Navy, a Hospital Corpsman.
I am so proud of both of them. So in spite of MS I have a wonderful life, and look forward to all of the great day’s ahead!
~Kim
Kim truly is an awesome person, amazing friend and true MS WARRIOR. I have had the pleasure of meeting Kim and spending time with her. She came down during Mardi Gras to visit a friend she has here in Mobile. While she was here she visited with me also. I was really sick recovering from a flare and shingle outbreak, from the steroids and was not great company. She cheered me up so much and kept me laughing. I really think she helped me recover faster. I can never thank her enough. Just being there when I was so down. That’s the kind of friend Kim is. She has been through so much but still took the time out to be there for me. Well for us. We all needed that. I know Bella talked still talks about Mrs Kim and her dog. (charley still looks for Twinkle ha) I can never thank her and her know just how much it meant to me and my family. I hope to get to meet some other people from our M.S. group eventually. Thank you kim I hope You know just how much we love ya and Twinkle too! (Charleys Best friend) haha God truly has Blessed me with some awesome friends ~ Nancy
If you have M.S.and would like to have your story highlighted here on my blog for National MS month,
Please contact me at NancywithaJones@Gmail.com
ThatsNancyWithaJones 