Living on the Edge Before MS, and Then Life After MS

Let’s take a trip back to when life was an open canvas and living life wasn’t limited unless you decided it was. And then to how life changed with MS.

When life felt unlimited

Do you remember when life was good, and everything was an enormous WOW full-speed-ahead? I remember those days of my only worry being on time for football, basketball, or baseball practice, and just having fun. Life was an open book of waking up, enjoying each day, and whatever came along, which was always fun. Hanging out with friends, cruising at night, grabbing a late-night snack at McDonald's, and yep looking for that girl of my dreams.

Then it was college classes and coordinating the schedule to complete homework, a little surfing, softball, and just a bit of partying and on the run. OK more than a bit of partying, but heck I was young and on the run, and it was a good life!

Life's changes as I became older

Life moved on and I became older, a little more responsible, and planning for the future. My on-the-run turned into working, staying in shape after work, financial planning, and eating at home versus McDonald's. Living on the edge was more balanced now. Life began to change slowly, yet it changed. My focus was more geared toward the future, planning for what may come over the longterm.

As my days and nights began to change, slowly yet changing, I remember what my parents used to tell me and my brothers. We scratched our heads when we heard, “your mind stays young, and your body grows old.” I have to say that hit home as life began to change and this body was getting older, and my mind still felt young and on the run.

As time moved on my changes were slow yet steady along the getting-older journey. My night vision while playing softball made it harder to follow the ball as it was hit. Then it was my 5-mile run that turned into 4, then 3, then 2, and finally just became a walk.

Starting to lose my balance

I decided to try riding a bike, which was great in the beginning and a perfect substitute for that run that turned into a walk. A year into riding my balance became worse, and riding was more and more challenging. Balancing while riding was too risky, and a fall became just a matter of time.

Determined to keep moving, I changed to a stationary bike and lifting weights to stay in shape. Maybe it’s true, as my parents would say, your body grows older and your mind stays young. They might be on the money.

Physical changes continued, and it became hard to walk next to someone and turn my head to talk without losing my balance. Then window and wall walking, as they say, became the norm, as I ran my finger along the way to maintain my balance.

Discovering I had MS

As my changes continued, I began my five-year medical journey, which I have mentioned before. Along the way I met a friend’s cousin who had dealt with similar issues and was finally diagnosed with MS. I read all I could find about MS, compared my issues with MS symptoms, and decided that was in fact what I have.

I discussed MS with my neurologist, who did not feel MS was what I was dealing with. After discussing various tests, we decided a spinal tap would confirm either way. Two days after the spinal tap, the diagnosis was in fact MS.

How my life is different now

Life has now changed from the WOW factor of on the run, to the WOW factor that I have to plan everything. MS has changed my life, how I approach each day, and plan each week, month, and minutes at times.

Although it can be difficult, MS has improved my outlook and presented other opportunities I might have missed. I know you're thinking, “what?” Yep, writing this article is one, participating on patient advisor boards, engaging in MS research, and helping others along the way.

As I say, “there is always a positive in every negative, you just have to look for it.” Thank you for reading my article, and I look forward to hearing about your journey. Until the next time, I wish you well and ask all to pass on an act of kindness to make someone’s day a little brighter