MS Is the Best Thing That Happened to Me, but I Didn't See It That Way at First
This is my big BUT GOD moment. I started experiencing my first symptoms of MS in 2017. The right side of my face went numb, with angioedema. I was going through my divorce, so the Dr. just chalked it up to stress. I laughed it off, joking that I was allergic to divorce.
The numbness came back in 2021, along with double vision. I was working two jobs, covering for a coworker who went on maternity leave. I was also self-publishing my first book. The doctors chalked it up to stress and my type 1 diabetes. I was prescribed corrective lenses. This was also right after I got vaccinated for covid.
Things weren't adding up
In December of 2021, I got covid and started experiencing numbness and tingling in my lower legs. I'm still glad I got vaccinated, though, because the actual covid symptoms were mild, just like a common cold. But in January of 2022, I took a bad fall and broke my ankle.
At first, I thought it was just sprained, but as the bruising and swelling got worse, I knew I needed to get to urgent care. I told the Dr. in urgent care about the numbness and tingling. He ordered lab work to check my diabetes. The results came back and proved my diabetes was well controlled. He simply told me that I shouldn't be experiencing these symptoms and not to worry about it.
My ankle healed up just fine, but I continued needing to use a cane. January 17, 2023, the MS hit hard. I woke up that morning and had nearly lost all functionality in my hands. My feet went completely numb. I went to the emergency room.
My neurologist gave me the news
They ran tests, and I was instructed to follow up with my new PCP the following Monday. I did, and when my new PCP heard my story, she asked if I had ever been referred to a neurologist. She was very surprised when I told her no. She sent the referral out immediately.
Long story short, I was diagnosed with MS. In the beginning, I only ever called it THE MS. It wasn't mine. I didn't want to claim that. But I realized, whether I claim it or not, it's there. It's not going away anytime soon. I use a rollator now. There's no hiding that.
So, I am learning to embrace the "new normal." I may have lost my dream job. I may have flunked out of school. All that means is I can explore new opportunities. I have all the time in the world to write now! I can run Zoom sessions from home and pick up where I left off with my coaching business.
All the things that were standing in the way of my purpose are now gone. So, MS may have interrupted my life in a major way, but that will not stop me! God has worked everything together for my good. From T1D at 12 (which is another miraculous story in and of itself) to MS at 30, I think I finally understand 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
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