I guess it's a good thing that I haven't thought about blogging lately. Maybe that means I am forgetting about myself a little bit more? Or, maybe I am so fatigued that I can only handle doing the essential tasks of the day? Either way, life is busy and it seems that having time to sit down and blog for 15 minutes is rare. I did promise to explain the four types of M.S. and so here it goes:
Relapsing-remitting MS
*This accounts for 85% of all MS diagnoses.
*Relapses are followed by remissions. People may recover at least partially from the relapses.
*Most people with this form of MS eventually develop secondary-progressive MS. (oh joy)
Secondary-progressive MS
*Irreversible disability accumulates gradually.
*Relapses or remissions are not clearly seperated.
Primary Progressive MS
*This accounts for 10% of all diagnoses.
*Symptoms gradually intensify over time without clear relapses or remissions.
*Conditions usually worsens continuously.
Progressive-relapsing MS
*This accounts for about 5% of all MS diagnoses.
*Relapses are often serious and usually have limited recovery
*MS continues to progress during periods between relapses.
Well, that's the simplest explanation I could find amongst all the information that comes in the mail, from the doctor's office, health insurance company, drug suppliers, web links, etc. There is an entire shelf in my bookcase loaded with pamphlets and books trying to make sense of it all. And most of it I never even asked for! Some patients eat up every bit of it. I think I did for the first few weeks. But now I feel like it is so unpredictable and so different for every person that there is nothing really to "figure out" except what medicine to take...and even that is somewhat of a guess because the medicine is preventative in nature and there is no real way of knowing how I would have faired without it. Research is proving it to be effective in slowing the progress and severity of relapsing-remitting MS in general, so, of course, I am giving it a "shot". Most likely, that is the type of MS I have and most likely I am going to benefit from it. 'Nuff said.
One thing that is really apparent since my diagnosis is that everyone has something. Not to be negative or discouraging but it makes me feel less sorry for myself, I guess. I am constantly hearing of cancers, diseases, addictions, accidents, and physical trials of every kind that people all around me are dealing with. It seems like we are all in the same boat (imperfect bodies) on the same ocean (imperfect world) but some have their sails up and are plowing through to a better land..a promised land..while others are anchored in their plight and even plundered by others who would take away their every hope. Some even seem to be throwing their treasures overboard so that they can cling to their misery. I feel like this new addition to my journey is truly a new "addition" not a subtraction. Of course, I have my down times when I would rather have it taken away. But truly, is it not the bigger waves that create the greatest surf experience..the greatest roll on the waters...the hardest and most effective push toward the other side? I'm riding this one out. I want to take all of you with me because everyone has SOMETHING...something to deal with and something to show for it...treasures of experience, perspective, compassion, courage, sacrifice, endurance, character...Don't throw them overboard! Let's help each other get to the other side.
