My diagnosis with RRMS

It all started the last week of January 2011. I was sick off and on for about 2 months. I woke up one day and my feet were prickly, I didn't think anything of it because I had been sick and not working out. I ignored it. The next day, my calves were also tingling, I blamed it on my poor circulation in my left leg. This continued on until I woke up one day and the tingly sensations were at hip level.

I ended going into the hospital on February 2nd. After feeling like a lab rat with myriad tests and people not letting me know what was going on, I was diagnosed with MS on February 7th. I was devastated and cried for the next 24 hours.

My sister was with me, we were trying to look for information and were unable to find any hope. I started the steroid treatment and just wanted to go home. It was awful, the nurses were not nice and all I thought was I'm not this strong.

After getting home and crying for the next 2 days. I realized that I could let it beat me, or I could beat it. Many friends emailed me and gave me hope and encouragement to fight this. "You've been through so much already, you can get through this" was the main saying among them.

You know even though I had a rough start, I realize it's better to have hope. I have many supporters and a small circuit of friends that have always been by my side. I have good days and bad days and know how to work through the bad days. I don't let the blunders slow me down. It took about a year before I quit pushing myself and if it doesn't get done today, there's always tomorrow.

MS has taught me to slow down and start listening to my body, it has showed me what I can and can't do. It has given me hope that one day we can beat this. It has opened my eyes to a different world and brought me closer to the ones that mean the most to me.

It's not all happiness and sunshine, but it's that happiness and sunshine that helps me through those bad days.

Keep your spirits high and do your best, that's my mantra.