Embrace Your Destiny: Time Travel Back

Taken in 2019 in Arizona

I thought it would be fun to travel back in time to talk with young me. Here is some of our  conversation:

“Hey young Judy, do you recognize me? You will be me in twenty years. Sorry about this diagnosis of MS you just received. I remember feeling sad and like my life was over. It’s not! Would you be interested in a few take aways from my experience managing the disease?
 

Acceptance is really hard. My number one take away is: come to grips with the new you. You are the same, but different. You have an insidious, debilitating disease, but that doesn’t change who you are. You are the same person who has a few limitations. It’s like an “Identity Crisis”. I call this part of the my journey the “Self Discovery” period. Does that make sense?”

Embrace Your Destiny: Knowledge is Power

Speaking at Toastmasters

I was looking forward to retiring at 55 being healthy, active, and able to do most anything I wanted to do. When I started falling, losing my balance, dragging my right foot and stumbling a lot, I got concerned. What a surprise to be diagnosed with MS at age 50! I argued with my doctor that I was just too old for that disease. Well, after I calmed down and digested the facts he presented, I concluded that Multiple Sclerosis is not good. On the other hand he said it can be managed by me. Okay, I can do that. I set my goal to go after this disease with all the knowledge and positive will power I could muster and see what happens. I knew I could count on my family, my doctor, my colleagues at work and my church family as a strong support system. The rest was up to me.

It's been seventeen years now since I was diagnosed. In the beginning fatigue, pain, stiffness and spasticity and headaches were the norm. My walking was limited to short walks with very jerky motion. Now, I have great energy and vitality. My walking is almost a regular gait. I have eliminated my headache medicine and another medicine for movement. I would say I feel great 98% of the time. So what's the change? That's what this blog is about. 

Over 17 years, I've learned a lot about the disease and about me. My job now is managing me. I embrace the challenge of trying things that are safe, recommended for neurological diseases and especially MS, and fun. I will share what I've learned over time that has worked for me. I will also share my current adventures into some of the new alternative therapies I use for managing myself. Please join me and share your comments, and questions. The destiny begins with drug therapy which is the first big hurdle and decision.