God and My Husband Are Giants

By arnitoo

1 min read

I’m Nita and I was diagnosed in April 1980. Knew absolutely nothing at all about it. I was tested the old-fashioned way. A long needle inserted through my groin with dye up into my brain. Unheard of! I was so scared! This one doctor called it prior to any test done on me. He said standing outside my cubicle, “MS” as I was lying there on the cot behind the curtain. It appears I have the oldest diagnosis date.

Faith in God and my husband

My faith in God and my husband were gigantic in keeping me grounded. I did not stop walking until September 2009. I was aware that stress is not a lead in to MS, but not that stress after you’re living with it causes exacerbations that you might not recover. I have used a walker since that time.

Added stress

I accepted a promotion and upped my quest to play tennis. I went all in to learning to play well. I do believe it was the stress of the promotion and the tennis that shut me down. I was never injected with prednisone and the prednisone tablets until 2008. I was very athletic until then. Taking that promotion and seriously playing tennis did it to me.

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Erin Rush Community Admin
Hi Nita and thank you for sharing a part of your MS story with the <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> community! Hearing your diagnosis is such an eye opener for me! Testing has come a long way since then and I am glad they no longer use the test you experienced as a diagnostic tool for MS. I think you hit the nail on the head when you talked about stress and exacerbations. Stress definitely can play a part in our overall health, especially for individuals with chronic conditions like MS. I am sorry that your promotion and your desire to play tennis may have taken a toll on your body. And I am sorry that you are unable to pursue athletics the way you used to. I do hope you have found other hobbies and activities to keep you busy and thank you again for taking the time to share with us! Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.
Erin Rush Community Admin
Oh, and as a P.S., I am glad you have the support of your husband and your faith to see you through the tough times! Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.
Kim Dolce Moderator & Contributor
Hi Nita, how great that you remained active for so long. And how upsetting it must have been to get blindsided by disease progression. We just never know what will happen on our long MS journey. It's so important to develop good coping strategies. Between your faith and your husband, you've got that one covered! Blessings to you and your loved ones, Kim, moderator
denver44 Member
Hi Nita I was diagnosed in 1982. 38 years. I had a spinal tap then. Started using a cane and sometimes a walker about two years ago. Guess I have been lucky. My sister also had it and died when she was 63. She had been pretty much bed bound for many years. Different for every person. Best of luck to you.