Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Go take a wog

Summertime is a time to be outside doing all sorts of activities... In addition to my weekly volleyball league, I decided to participate in a softball league this year. Since I had these two physical activities every week, I decided to put my gym membership on hold... because me playing sports is totally the same as taking weekly spin classes and getting my work out on.... riiiiight.

Well tonight I had time to get outside in the beautiful late summer air, and go for a walk. What started out as a walk then turning into a run... then jog... then walk.. then run... then jog.. Etc. So, I started a new regimen tonight - wogging! Walk/jog mix. Until I can get up to running straight through instead of having to wheeze my way through, wogging is totally a great fit for me.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Hi, my name is Bridget, and I have MS

To some of you, this may be shocking... or maybe not. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on October 6th, 2009. I'll give you the back story in a little bit :)

The reason I decided to write this is to practice what I preach. Though I don't have the reach to share my story with the entire world, I can do my part in educating my friends and family every day, sharing my story with those I am connected with. What the Osborne's are making of this condition is so many things... devastating, outrageous, disappointing. They couldn't be in a better position to do so many good things! Yet Sharon has made a mockery of the disease. People.com recently published online - and in print - an article called "I won't let my son die". Multiple Sclerosis will not take your son's life away from him. Today, she said that her son Jack was kicked off of an upcoming TV show because of the condition. It automatically makes me react that now she is making excuses for her son.

This is my story. I share this with you prepared to welcome you to my journey and answer any and all questions you may have.

On August 24th, 2009 I was out and about after my 24th birthday in Lake Park, doing some "golfing" with friends. When I woke up the next day for work, I noticed that my right upper lip was a bit numb feeling. I figured it was sunburned. As the week progressed, the rest of my face started to feel tingly and numb. By Thursday, I was thoroughly freaked out and decided it was time to head to urgent care after work, since the entire right side of my face was numb. The doctor in urgent care saw me, I explained my symptoms to him, and he looked at me and said I have to send you to the ER, we don't have the equipment we need to treat you. I started to panic... and then the questions started to flood my head - what if I had a stroke? What if I have a tumor?

I went to the ER, as the doc requested. They took me back, gave me a CT scan, then escorted me to the waiting room to hear from the doctor. I was so thankful I wasn't alone during the 45 agonizing minutes waiting for a doctor to give me the results of the scan (though it felt like 4 hours). It was a time in my life I needed support the most. Finally, the doctor told me the tests showed no signs of a serious condition. I was confused, but I have never been more relieved.

I called my GP on Friday morning, set up an appointment to see him right away. He ordered tests... an initial MRI to start ruling out what it could be. When I got the call that he wanted to see me in person to discuss the results, I knew it wasn't going to be a good discussion. I went in to see him and the blow was delivered. All I can remember of our initial discussion is him telling me "Your results came back abnormal. It's showing you have three lesions on your brain. It could be a few things, but it looks like Multiple Sclerosis..." I broke down, devastated. How could he be telling me this? How can I have something like this? I am only 24. The rest of the day was a blur.

I had other tests... blood tests, another MRI and finally a spinal tap. October 6th, 2009 I was officially diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. I had started seeing a Neurologist, he put me on a treatment called Betaseron. Every other day, I have to inject myself with this medication. It sucks, but without it I don't know where I would be. Betaseron is a protein that blocks my immune system from attacking the myelin surrounding my nerves.

Understanding MS is something I learn about and deal with every day. Having MS means that my immune system is mistaking the myelin sheath surrounding my nerves as a disease, therefore attacking it and destroying that tissue. It will never regenerate, so once it's gone, it's gone. There is no cure for MS. There is no known cause for why someone gets MS; the only things that can prevent MS is a healthy amount of vitamin D in your diet/lifestyle. Though the life expectancy of someone living with MS is 5-10 years shorter than someone without it, its NOT a death sentence. As my disease progresses, I will most likely face cognitive and physical disability.

MS is unpredictable. I deal with the most common symptoms on a regular basis - fatigue, nerve pain and dizziness. Other things I have experienced during my journey with MS include vertigo, migraines complete with vision loss and changes, extreme fatigue and my right thigh is numb. I will never know exactly what the future holds for me. There are struggles I will face day after day, but my condition will NEVER define me. There may be days I don't feel well and can't do the things I would like, these days are few and far between. I have never said... "I can't do that because I have MS".

My support system is amazing. I couldn't think of better doctors and people in my life who support me. I was so lucky to have those people in my life when I was first diagnosed, as well as those people who have continued to support me. I am so lucky to have a mild form and that I was diagnosed young. My prognosis is great. I have not had any sever attacks since my initial attack in 2009, and for that I am grateful. Understanding MS is something I want for everyone in my life. For some, it's harder than others. For those closest to you, it's the hardest.

I am more than happy to answer any questions anyone has about MS. It's been a long journey and it will continue to be a life journey I deal with. Long story short, the Osborne's need to get educated and raise awareness of this disease, not drama. There are worse things in life, much worse. Thanks for reading!!!