Thank Goodness I was smart enough to know my body, Something was not RIGHT!!

I was always a very active business owner, running a retail store working 60-70 hours a week. As a young women I used to roller skate and ballroom dance competitively. But in the years past I look back and realize symptoms began several years ago with my Spasms in my feet and toes. I thought my right foot was sprain reminder of jumping over a fence as a young woman, but a few years ago and several times later, my toes curled up when getting ready to drive, my feet had spasms and I could not walk or move during the middle of the night, but again I just kept working.

Than dizziness, funcky feeling in my walk became nick named Spinny Dizzies, one day wearing higher heels than normal, not having eaten which was normal I was walking to the restroom and my right side began to wibble, wobble, and I fell. The hotel was worried, everyone began to flag Tina go to the Doctor that could lead to a stroke. I chilled, had some water and spoke to a group of women and went to a clinic shortly after.

I had no health insurance, I feared Ovarian cancer even though it never ran in my family but I had all the same symptoms. The clinic after waiting 5+ hours, missing a important appointment I managed to talk them into doing my Blood test than. Going back as follow up, I again waited even though I was there an hour + early Miss Holden everything is fine. YOUR cholesterol is slightly elevated but all looks good, comment from Dr was Miss Holden you appear to be disappointed. I kindly looked at him and said you do not understand I know something is not right.

This all began way back as far as 2010, my proactive nature and investigation of understanding was asking about family. I learned that I had 2 cousins and ONE aunt with MS but again going to another Dr, she said you know your body and ordered a Ultra sound for Ovarian Cancer and some blood tests. I got the blood tests but never the Ultra sound and several weeks later I was at a Health fair and signed up for a complimentary Chrio exam, and going back, the ah ha moment of digestive and spine connected but he said to me I want you to see and think you should see a Neurologist, I said Why, he said because you are showing symptoms of MS.

A few weeks later, still not feeling right and afraid with no health insurance I said if I do not feel better the next morning I was going to the hospital, well that AM I went to a group that was spiritual and a prayer was done and immediately later walked across the street to the hospital and 6 days later, 3 tests later, A CT checks out fine, MRI comes back with lesions on my brain, and I worry how can a dreamer, creator like myself have lesions on my brain? Than the
Spinal Tap confirms The Doctors were following the trail, they seen and listened the symptoms and it was confirmed Sept 2011 I had MS.

I say that out of all the diseases I got the best one, Why and how can I say that? Well I feel it is one of the most researched and educated ones today. And although I believe at least 90% of my issues are spinal and my life has changed in many ways, it was a wake up reminder that life is not all about Work. I was chosen for this journey and other things were breaking and every step of the way is a walk up a new mountain. One day at a time and ONE step at a time. I now say the kids I never had, I now have a new kid it is MS, it acts up every now and than and the businesses and brands that I have created the past 30+ years have to share the limelight with this one some but although I was chosen, it will not get me down and it has become a HUGE part of my WHY!! It is a disability but one that I will not allow to limit me and easier for me than most.

I used my cane for the first time a few weeks ago while being in a pagent. I backed out of a dance on stage because of small heel and fear of falling and I used my first scooter while at MS discovery a few months ago. By the end of that day I got my DL for driving one and everyone laughed with me not at me.

I am as happy as I can be and more on purpose than ever and I give more time and things to others than ever before and I believe that being cautious which is ONE of the most valued lessons out there. Without me there is nothing else that matters more.

I am doing as much as I can naturally, the short time going on my chosen Medication of choice although no side effects, my liver elevated to badly and I was pulled off.

This is a new journey and I embrace each and every day.

Thank you for letting me share!!

Tina Holden