Tell us about your symptoms and treatment experience. Take our survey here.

Living Proof

“Well… I don’t think you’ll be ambulatory in 10 years.”

That was my first neurologist’s parting words to me as my wife and I left his office.

For the past month, I hadn’t been able to stand unassisted, see much of anything with my jumping eyes, feel anything from my chest down, or even know when I needed to use the bathroom. That’s just the beginning of a list of maddening symptoms that dominated my waking hours.

In addition to the physical symptoms, my mind was so foggy, so slow to process, that I had a difficult time understanding even the simplest comment, thought, or concept.

It's a helpless fight

And now, in essence, the doctor was telling me it’s hopeless. No need to fight it because I wouldn’t ever be able to function by myself on any useful level.

It was like a punch in the gut.

His comment colored my thoughts and life for the next two years.

Why even try? Why get on a disease-modifying therapy? Why try to exercise? Why plan on a future? I was going to get worse, and then I was going to die.

But the thing is… he was wrong. He was incredibly and earth-shatteringly wrong.

I was giving MS more than it was taking

MS almost took my life from me, and then one day I recognized that I was ‘giving’ MS even more than it was ‘taking’ from me. That is the day I started the journey back to among the living again. I started exercising, eating better, and starting trying to reengage with the world.

I completely gave up for two years, and while there were several reasons I can think of, there is only one of those reasons that is connected to all the others.

“Well… I don’t think you’ll be ambulatory in 10 years.”

Things can improve

Today… 20 years later... I realize that no-one can know for certain what tomorrow holds.

MS may take more from me, but it’ll have to take it because I will no longer give in or give up without a fight.

No matter what anyone says, things CAN improve.

I’m living proof.

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The MultipleSclerosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Community Poll

What were the first MS symptoms you can remember experiencing? Select all that apply: