Thursday, December 3, 2015

Multiple Sclerosis

I was 3 - it's one of my most vivid memories.  My mom was laying in bed and I was putting socks on her feet.  That's when she was first told she had MS.  She stopped working when I was 11.  When she was diagnosed there wasn't really any medication, and the medication development came a little late in the game for her.  I remember she started using a cane, then forearm crutches and then a wheelchair.
My babies were one and a half and my newest baby was only 2 months old when Dave was laying in the ER and after 2 MRI's and a spinal tap they diagnosed him with MS.
I hate MS.
I spent quite a while angry at God that growing up with this stupid disease wasn't enough, now my husband had it - and my kids would grow up with it like I did.  Not super empathetic but I heard quite often, "God must have a reason it just keeps coming up in your life."  I didn't care about the reason - I just wanted it gone.
Well, unfortunately it's not going away.  Still no cure.  But over the years I have used my lifetime of exposure to Multiple Sclerosis to help other people newly diagnosed, or partners of people newly diagnosed.  And it seems to give it all purpose.
The Northwest Region of the US has the highest number of MS patients in the country, if not the world.  It's crazy.  And yet, so many people are pretty ignorant to what MS even is.  So, ask questions - please!  I would love to answer any questions you may have...Just leave your questions in the comments section and we will answer them.
MS putting an end to my husband's ability to work also gave life to us starting this business.  It's a heartbeat we have here... Thanks!

3 comments:

  1. Melissa, thank you so much for sharing. What exactly is MS and why does this PacNW have such high diagnoses?

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  2. Basic explanation Ishtar our nerves are like wires. The black plastic coating on wires is called myelin on our nerves. With MS the myelin gets "frayed" and gets spots on it called lesions. When these lesions flare up that's when MS attacks will happen. There are a different types of MS but the kind most people I've met have are relapsing remitting. Which means that "flare ups" happen and then they either totally go away or partially. As for the huge occurrence here, hey aren't sure why but tend to think it's somehow related to the lack of vitamin d here. ��

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  3. God bless your sweet heart! ��

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