What, When and How

It was 1984.  I was a 30 year-old single mom with a 4 year-old son. I had been walking with the Lord for only one year.  I was employed as a Life & DI insurance underwriter at a major insurance company.  I knew all about many diseases --- including MS.

 

What happened and when?

I remember being at a picnic on a very warm, humid day in September.  I started to get dizzy and it didn't go away. 

 

The dizziness continued for several days, getting rather severe at times.  I remember that, if I hung my head upside down to wash my hair in the bath tub, I would get sick to my stomach and at times vomit because of it.  My vision was a little blurry at times.  I decided to call my Internist.

 

My doctor examined me.  I remember him looking into my eyes, asked me to do the basic neurological tests (walking, closing my eyes and touching my nose, etc.).  He thought I was experiencing some vertigo and prescribed medicine for it.  The symptoms lasted for three weeks.  I never missed one day of work.....

Thanksgiving Day, 1984

I remember this day well.  My parents from out-of-town were visiting with me and and my son over the Holidays.  I woke up that morning with numbness and tingling  on my left side. I had trouble buttoning my shirt and coat with my left hand.  I felt like I was dragging my left leg, although I could walk.  I felt very weird and planned to call my doctor the next day.

 

Got in to see my doctor rather quickly.  He told me he suspected MS and had suspected it when I came in with the dizziness, but he wanted to see if there would be another, separate "event" of symptoms.  This was that event. He referred me to a Neurologist for further tests. 

 

Many diagnostic tests were done -- spinal tap, evoked responses (? - not sure if I'm remembering that right), and a CT scan of the brain.  I was at the hospital for most of the day.

 

My Internist called me a few days later.  All tests confirmed his suspicion and I was diagnosed with MS.  I would follow up regularly with the Neurologist. My Internist left me with some important advice.  He said:  "I know what you do for a living. Don't think the worst.  Don't change anything.  Don't share this with your employer."  And so my journey began......