Me & A Mess

Well it all started back in 1980 when I was definitely diagnosed with MS.
My mother went to my grandmother (may she rest in peace) and said,
"MA, JUDY'S GOT MS," to which my grandmother replied
"A MESS OF WHAT?".
And that's how I've looked at it from that point on; it's just nothing
more than a mess. One of those challenges we're sent to deal with.
So I've been dealing with it.

Just a brief recall of some of my adventures along the way:

In 1990 I went into the hospital due to a relapse of the MS and while
there, it seems I caught this amazing unknown illness. I developed
a fever of 107-1/2 for over four days (near death #1), which didn't
do a lot for my long-term memory. They performed a lung biopsy on me
and during that procedure they damaged some of my nerves. Three weeks
later they discovered this unknown illness was Legionnaire's Disease.
(near death #2). I was treated for it, and after a little over
a month I left the hospital. (Whew)

After that, I had four nerve blocks to alleviate the pain caused by
cutting my nerves, but that didn't work, so I had a partial laminectomy.
Another mess. That was in January of '91.

Then I found a great doc who put me on this medicine which helps
tremendously with my pain. One in a row. :) But in the next breath,
he tells me I also suffer from fibromyeolgia. Oh well, whatcha gonna do.

Since then, it's been an up and down thing, relapse, remittance,
the whole blah, blah, blah, and you don't want to hear about that.

But when I get sick, I get the weirdest things that happen to me.
In February my blood pressure dropped to 63/34 (near death #3)
and at the end of March I was admitted to the hospital with severe
anemia. I couldn't breathe because of the lack of oxygen to my heart
and I was getting dementia because of the lack of oxygen to my brain.
(I think I'm demented anyway). My hemoglobin was 4 and it's
supposed to be between 12 and 16.(Near death #4. Like who's supposed
to know this stuff anyway?) So I had to get three pints of blood and
now they've discovered my hemoglobin was so low because I have a
bleeding ulcer. Whoopie!!!! I'm on heavy doses of iron. What a trip.
Hey, that's the answer, I'm on some strange trip.

All the above is not intended to make my life sound depressing or
to read my whining story. To the contrary. We can all find some
humor about everything that happens. And as far as I'm concerned,
I really don't have a lot to complain about. The Good Lord has let me
share the last 23 years of my life with the most wonderful husband a
woman could have. Boy does he put up with my S**** -- well, you know.
He's not always patient, and he's not always understanding, but he's
ALWAYS there for me. ALWAYS FOR ME! And he's soooo good to me.
He even gives me my injections.

I've had the opportunity to see two of my sons get married. I am
so proud of what they have done with their lives. And now I have the five
most fantastic grandchildren . I have a beautiful
new home, a wonderful life (all things considered) and I even
have my own Angel.

Yes, that's right, the Good Lord has given me
my own special angel. Her name is Keeper.
She's a 13-year old kitty who takes care of me.
She's been with me through all
this. She sleeps with me, makes sure I'm up in the morning,
checks on me while I'm working at my computer, and makes sure
that I get to bed on time. Naaaa, she don't fool me, she's my angel.

So that about covers it. Inspite of the fact this illness
is called "MS", my life's not such "a mess." I take each day as
it comes, sometimes grumping, but I take it. Why complain and
whine about something you can't do one darn thing about.

But I have been on Avonex for the past year and a half. It seems
to be helping with my setbacks. The last time I went to the doctor
he was very pleased with the way I was coming along.

Every day is a new adventure, isn't it????

Come back and visit, it's quite a ride!!!!!

Last Updated 8/18/01

Some helpful links, if interested:

Avonex Info Links
Betaseron
Copaxone

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