When/how it began
It was August of '82. I was almost 22, preparing to be married in just a few weeks. One day I woke up with a shooting pain in my eye. Over the next week I began losing vision from the bottom of my eye and it traveled up. My wedding was just 2 weeks away now. In a week the vision was completely gone. I went to a neuro opth. at the Mass Eye & Ear Hosp. He had no idea and said it was probably nerves. I had my wedding, blind in one eye.
This is a VERY shortened version.
Vision slowly returned over the next 8 months. No MS symptoms for 2 years. Had a spinal tap, showed nothing. Had my 1st child. Was fine. No such thing as an MRI till '87. I had one in Feb '88. Positive diagnosis. Had child #2 in '87, still fine. Built a new home, able to do everything, including walking daughter to kindergarten in '89. Started slowing down, tripping, resorted to a cane occasionally, started IV steroids then cytoxin. Quit the chemo after 6 months, couldn't stand it...not much disability till about 95/96. Divorced in '98, he was weak with it. Since then, 3 different times over 9 years, small but malignant tumors removed both lungs, large benign tumor on liver removed, benign tumor in ureter, 2 rotator cuff repairs, third one coming soon & 2 spinal surgeries.
Hard to believe, but I am doing great now, cancer free for 6 years, I do use a walker and scooter for distance. I need to self cath each and every time I have to go. I work part time and no one would ever know a thing when sitting and talking to me. I look healthy and my biggest pain is my shoulder. That's me in a nutshell. Thank you if you had the patience to read this whole thing!! :-) Lauri
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