TIME TO GET REAL
Okay, I’ve been open enough to talk to y’all about almost everything that goes on in my life from heartbreak to my cookbook that I’m working on to my chronic depression. However,I have kept one thing from you guys. I was Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) January of 2013. I know a lot of you have no earthly clue what MS is so here the description as given by the mayo clinic.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which your immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers your nerves. Myelin damage disrupts communication between your brain and the rest of your body.
The type of MS I have is Relapse Remitting which is described below by the National
MS society Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is characterized by clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacks — often called relapses, flare-ups or exacerbations — are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions), during which symptoms improve partially or completely, and there is no apparent progression of disease. RRMS is the most common disease course at the time of diagnosis. Approximately 85 percent of people are initially diagnosed with RRMS, compared to 10-15 percent with progressive forms of the disease.
My diagnosis came after nearly 4 months of severe pain. It felt as though I was going I was being electrocuted internally up to 8 times an hour. Not everyone with Multiple Sclerosis experiences the same symptoms or pain but for me I was in horrible pain that lasted about 30 seconds to a minute about every ten minutes at the height of my exacerbation (time of relapse). My first attack was misdiagnosed as vertigo four years prior to my official diagnosis. I underwent a host of testing to figure out what was going on with me as there were several autoimmune and neurological diseases that had all of my symptoms. I had a MRI scan that revealed several lesions on my brain and spinal cord (a telltale sign of MS). According to my Neurologist the placement of the lesions should make it significantly difficult for me to walk without the assistance of a walker or at least a cane. For those of you who have yet to see me in person. I WALK UNASSISTED AND FINE (slightly slew-foot… but fine). This prompted me to strengthen my relationship with God. My personal walk with God isn’t one most people can understand as I’m a cursing, drinking, lesbian Sunday school teacher who is blessed beyond measure. I feel like it was time to talk about this as I am readying myself to do Atlanta’s MS Walk. Furthermore, I go out of my way to keep it real on this blog and ain’t much realer I can get now. I’mma go before I start to cry. -I got MS, MS doesn’t have me.
EeJay
If you’d like to
donate or join my MS walk Team click here! .
FEELINGS EXPRESSED THROUGH SONG
