MS diagnosis today

[Amyloo]

Yep.  I'm ok, it was kind of what my husband and I expected.  The doctor sent us home with medication info (rebif and copaxone) so we will be studying up this weekend.  There are no new lesions in my brain but two on my thorasic spine, hence the leg issues.   Thanks for all of your wonderful support.   Love to you all, God bless you.  Amy

[mokibear]

I'm sorry I am late in posting but I have not been on for a couple of days. I am happy and sad for you. Happy that you now know for certain what is wrong but sorry for what it is.  I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and sending hugs and prayers your way.

Moki

[mooers777]

I'm glad you know for sure now. I know what it was like when I found out for sure. The only thing I can tell you is learn, learn, learn everything you can about it.

Kathy

[Amyloo]

Thank you Jazzy.  I love this forum and all the support.  To have so many people send me their well wishes makes me feel like "queen for a day".   Thanks again; I appreciate it.   God bless you, Amy

[Jazzyfizzle]

Just wanted to send out cyberthoughts and hugs to you

Jazzy

[Amyloo]

You make me laugh.  I hope you are well; I have thought of you and prayed for you much over the holidays.  I will take the time to write Dr. Magic; he also sent me a bill for my last visit because he decided to no longer take my insurance.  (Didn't feel the need to tell me before hand though.)  So I plan to send him my co-pay for the visit and a nicely laid out letter explaining why he should not expect any further payment from me!  God bless you my dear, how are things going with your endo and stuff?  I still think there is more going on with you than your missing hormone.  Love to you, Amy

[Momzilla]

Of course the important thing is you're diagnosed now, and you're starting treatment with a wonderful doctor.  For that we're glad.  And we're here for all the stages you may go through along the way now that you've gotten your diagnosis.  What a lot to swallow, even though it was expected!  I can't begin to imagine.

But I think you'd be doing Dr. Magic an incredible disservice if you didn't drop him a note, explaining that lesions do NOT, in fact, appear in healthy young women, along with some hard copies of reports as evidence of MRIs and such to drive the point home.  He must have missed a few crucial days of med school.  He's begging for a refresher, and you are the one who needs to run his personal seminar when you are up to it.  I wouldn't leave out the rolicking fun you spent in the wheelchair, either.  

Something to keep in mind for when you are feeling up to it!

Feel better and better!

Zilla*

[Amyloo]

Thank you, thank you, all.  I was just telling my husband last night that if I hadn't spent the month in the wheelchair then I would not have gotten to my great new neuro, and all the further testing.  God is good; He sees the end, we do not. While I was unhappy about the "chair", He was saying "There is a reason you are in it."   I appreciate every single word of every single post here.  

Quix, the thorasic lesions were just seen; I hadn't had a t-spine MRI.  (Remember Dr. "Lesions appear by magic"?  He didn't feel the need to look at my t-spine.  I think I'll drop him a note one of these days.........................)  Love to you, Amy

[Heartshome]

I am so sorry that you had to discover this at Christmas time. But maybe having your family close will be helpful. At least this "family" is here to support you in whatever you may need.

Those before me have really said it all, I can only echo their sentiments. You know what you're fighting against now and can do everything in your power to prevail. Please take care of yourself and know that we are here for you.

Lisa

[Momzilla]

Oh, Amy.

I have thought of you so often during the holidays.  At services, when we prayed for those who are ill, I thought of all my friends on the forum here, and I could see your picture in my mind's eye.  I thought of your impending diagnosis.  I think we all knew it was coming.  I'm sorry.  

Time to look forward to see what God has planned for you.  He's put a good doctor in your life.  And a good family.  And a family of friends here.  I hope you continue to keep that hope that is so apparent in your posts.  You're such an inspiration to many.  And I hope you continue to get stronger and better.  I'm glad you'll start treatment soon!  It's a good thing.

Love and hugs,

Zilla*

[Wobbly]

I'm happy and sad for you too...I know it would be nice to have an answer finally, but difficult to really accept and figure things out, hang in there and people here on this forum will be here for you.  

Take care
Andrea

[pennst8r]

I am both happy and sad for you. Happy that you have a definitive answer, but sad that it is not something "easier". I will be praying for you and your family to have the strength to get through the process toward acceptance that Heather describes, and that you will soon be making progress in your treatment.

God bless and be well. I am not of help for advice, but I can be supportive as all get out;)

Penn

[Heather3418]

Oh sweetheart...I had a feeling when you didn't post right away, that the diagnosis was indeed MS.  I know that you have felt for a while that this was the real diagnosis and hopefully that helped to prepare you somewhat; for the words, "You have MS."

This is not the end of the world Amy, although you must be terrified at what the future holds for you now.  If it makes any sense, not knowing what the future holds, is true for all of us that are human beings.  Having MS makes that reality no different.

I feel that you will go through a greiveing process, just like there was a death in the family.  That's what so many people report and what I also went through.  Allow those tears to flow and most of all, lean on your family and friends for support.  If you find that they don't understand what you are feeling or can't face it alone, please know that you have a family here, that knows exactly what you are experiencing at this very moment.  We have been there.  Let us help you through this period of adjustment.

You will also go through denial, saying "this can't really be true, they must have made a mistake."  You will go through fear and doubt.  You will cry for the future that will seem so uncertain.  That's okay honey, these are normal feelings.  And healthy to experience.  

When reality finally sets in and you are ready to talk, you know that we will be here.  I am so glad that your doctor will be starting you on Copaxone or Rebif.  Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of each drug and make the decision you feel will be right for you.  Getting on either of these drugs right away will give you that fighting chance to stop or slow these relapses.

This is not a death sentence, Amy.  It just means some changes in your life.  You are a strong woman and you will endure, if I know you.

Honey, I am sincerely sorry that you have now become a member of the MS family.  I hope that it offers you reassurance to know that you are never alone.  There will not be one step that you take, that we won't be right at your side.  We will never leave you.

If you need anything or have any questions, you feel free to ask.  No question is too big or too small.  You have our love and most of all, our support.  Please remember that.

You are in my prayers sweet lady and so is your family.

Your friend, Heather

[Quixotic1]

Well, I cannot say I am surprised, but I welcome you to our ranks.  You likely will have a rollercoaster of emotions for the next long while and we're here for all of it.  I want to wish you well and hope that your transition is not too bumpy.  Good news about the brain.  Were the 2 on the thoracic spine new or just now found?

Stay with us.  You're now "official" and will have a lot to ask and to offer.

(((HUGS))) Quix