I woke up at 3:00 a.m. this morning - let the dogs out, went back to bed. Five minutes later, hubby got up - let the dogs out, didn't come back to bed. So I got up too. We watched some bad late night TV, then decided to go to breakfast :-) We got dressed and headed out under a full moon for our first meal of the day.
When we got home, I did my Copaxone injection, hit a muscle (OUCH!) and promptly fell asleep. Early morning naps might just be a regular event. I'm not feeling too bad since waking up. I'm taking advantage of this! My mind isn't comprehending my crochet patterns yet. I'm not going to worry about it. One project is an afghan that is single crochet for 52 rows per square. I can handle that one.
I realized yesterday that part of what is depressing me is feeling like I'm not getting anything done. I think what is happening is that my brain can still think of all the things I 'could' do, or need to do, but it isn't able to prioritize what should be done or even decide what I'd 'like' to do. As a result, I have this big cloud of possibilities in there and it's very hard to get them out - so I only do what is in front of me: the dogs need to eat, we need to eat, I have to wash clothes if I want to wear them. Even some of those things get lost in the mist.
So, I think it's really important to record somewhere every time I think of one of these things. I started entering them on my calendar on the computer because it can even alert me of tasks even if I've likely forgotten them. Of course, then it still depends on having the energy to do them. My list wasn't large by most people's standards today, but I know I will not be able to do everything. Today was do laundry, make a loaf of bread, make a salad and dressing for dinner, harvest spinach and freeze. Spinach can wait - laundry is almost done - hubby said he'd buy bread and salad dressing. If I can pick and wash everything for the salad, I need to feel accomplished then. And, anything I find that needs done and I have the energy to do til I crash tonite is a bonus. I really can't explain the energy drain. Imagine you walked around all day long with a wet, heavy blanket over your head, and 50 lb weights on your legs.
Still there is this fog over me that I haven't been able to shake since April. It's hard to explain, but it really takes enjoyment out of a lot of the day, even if I'm doing something I really liked to do.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
2012 . 09 . 29
All I wanted to do this morning is sleep. I don't feel 'right' around my middle - I think it's the muscles around my stomach, hips, and lower back. I'm certain this is from PT yesterday - holding all these muscles as tight as possible to try and keep my balance. Well, there is no balance really, it's more like surfing with an invisible board, arms out, dipping this way and that, trying not to touch the bar on either side. Couple that with the exercises aimed at building the core muscles - I think this is what happened.
But, I don't get that nice, healthy burn of freshly worked muscles that I used to. I actually liked that kind of pain - makes you feel alive. Now, if I 'overwork' muscles (which is to say, barely work), they quiver with this very sick kind of feeling that edges on cramping helplessly. It's hard to explain the vague feelings and little wonder why it's so hard to diagnose, but YOU know it's just not right.
Some doctors tell me to keep going - other doctors tell me just rest - my PT therapist says just move at least 15 minutes a day, then rest.
From experience over the last five months (wow, have I been down THAT long? :( I have learned that I have a limited amount of energy. The energy bank is usually replenished after a mediocre night's sleep. I have 3-4 hours on an average day to do the things I want to do that involve walking, bending, or any kind of concentrated mind work, like paying bills. After this, whether I lie down, take a nap, pop all the vitamins I have, I start wearing down. If I stick to 15-30 minutes of activity during this time, I might actually be able to do another 15-30 minutes in the afternoon as long as I do something quiet pretty much the rest of the day.
Getting the food from the garden put away required no less than 2 hours of seriously difficult activity. I would do as much as possible sitting on a stool in the kitchen and we have purchased several small gadgets to make the food preparation easier, not the least of which is a VitaMix. I love to cook and I love to make a good healthful dinner. I gauge my day by wether I can accomplish this. Some days, it means spending 20 min cutting the vegetables in the morning, 15 min getting grains or beans ready at lunchtime, then putting it together at dinner time. I manage this maybe 2 to 3 times a week. That makes me happy.
Not leaving the house today. I'd rate the pain today at a 6. I did take an aspirin to see if it might help with the sick feeling in my muscles - it did not. I have Neurontin that did help me for the 3 or 4 weeks I took it, but after strange hives and facial swelling, my doc agreed maybe it's not right for me. She did say I can try it again and see how it goes. I might because it did help the burning in my legs, feet, and fingers. It was awfully hard going off of something that was helping.
Not talking well right from the start today. More stammering because I can't find my words. I understand this - the words just don't connect, or I forget what I was saying. The gibberish hasn't started yet today, and this I just don't understand.
*************
This afternoon, I started crying out of nowhere. I was not sad, just participating in a group discussion about crocheting. About 5-10 minutes before this, I had pretty bad tremors - both arms and head. It came on suddenly and went away almost as quickly, lasting about three minutes. Since this episode, I cannot comprehend my crochet patterns again. I'd been working making holiday gifts all day - now every stitch looks like I never crocheted before and I'm not able to follow the pattern. Now I really could cry.
But, I don't get that nice, healthy burn of freshly worked muscles that I used to. I actually liked that kind of pain - makes you feel alive. Now, if I 'overwork' muscles (which is to say, barely work), they quiver with this very sick kind of feeling that edges on cramping helplessly. It's hard to explain the vague feelings and little wonder why it's so hard to diagnose, but YOU know it's just not right.
Some doctors tell me to keep going - other doctors tell me just rest - my PT therapist says just move at least 15 minutes a day, then rest.
From experience over the last five months (wow, have I been down THAT long? :( I have learned that I have a limited amount of energy. The energy bank is usually replenished after a mediocre night's sleep. I have 3-4 hours on an average day to do the things I want to do that involve walking, bending, or any kind of concentrated mind work, like paying bills. After this, whether I lie down, take a nap, pop all the vitamins I have, I start wearing down. If I stick to 15-30 minutes of activity during this time, I might actually be able to do another 15-30 minutes in the afternoon as long as I do something quiet pretty much the rest of the day.
Getting the food from the garden put away required no less than 2 hours of seriously difficult activity. I would do as much as possible sitting on a stool in the kitchen and we have purchased several small gadgets to make the food preparation easier, not the least of which is a VitaMix. I love to cook and I love to make a good healthful dinner. I gauge my day by wether I can accomplish this. Some days, it means spending 20 min cutting the vegetables in the morning, 15 min getting grains or beans ready at lunchtime, then putting it together at dinner time. I manage this maybe 2 to 3 times a week. That makes me happy.
Not leaving the house today. I'd rate the pain today at a 6. I did take an aspirin to see if it might help with the sick feeling in my muscles - it did not. I have Neurontin that did help me for the 3 or 4 weeks I took it, but after strange hives and facial swelling, my doc agreed maybe it's not right for me. She did say I can try it again and see how it goes. I might because it did help the burning in my legs, feet, and fingers. It was awfully hard going off of something that was helping.
Not talking well right from the start today. More stammering because I can't find my words. I understand this - the words just don't connect, or I forget what I was saying. The gibberish hasn't started yet today, and this I just don't understand.
*************
This afternoon, I started crying out of nowhere. I was not sad, just participating in a group discussion about crocheting. About 5-10 minutes before this, I had pretty bad tremors - both arms and head. It came on suddenly and went away almost as quickly, lasting about three minutes. Since this episode, I cannot comprehend my crochet patterns again. I'd been working making holiday gifts all day - now every stitch looks like I never crocheted before and I'm not able to follow the pattern. Now I really could cry.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Journal
So, my idea is to journal every day - anything significant or that bothers me or makes me happy.
Today is September 28, 2012
I took my copaxone shot today.
I had done a little research that showed copaxone to be just as effective (only 30% at best) taken every other day, as it is every day. I have intense burning pain from these shots, made worse by moving the area of the shot. So I stay put - for at least 20-30 minutes and try to think about something else. I am much happier doing this every other day. Besides, I'm not convinced I have MS, and neither is the neuro at Hopkins - so if this stuff is doing any damage, at least I can hopefully cut that in half.
Today was a PT day and evaluation.
I have been pushed pretty hard in PT the last several weeks. Today was session 14 of 30. I've found that I need to rest - seriously cannot walk hardly at all - after these sessions. Otherwise, my leg collapses. My therapist just nods as I explain this to her stating, we are working very hard and your legs are very weak, you must rest. So, okay - two days a week - I'm on the couch all day after a 45 minute to 1 hour workout that consists of very small movements to strengthen my legs and core. Thank goodness I can crochet.
Ah - I'm making holiday gifts. I can be happy with this - but not the spread of my ass from all the sitting :( The first month or two after this attack (May, June) I could not crochet - my fingers couldn't remember how to do it at first - then became so tired, all I could do was make the beginning chain - trying to do anymore resulted in an absolute mess.
I had a nap already, right after PT and likely will need another. I can't even begin to explain what this fatigue is like. Trying to ignore or push past it is futile - that is when the legs stop working, the fingers stop working, and the mind stops working.
I've already started talking gibberish today. It is so frustrating. I am trying to tell my husband our daughter just texted us a message, and all that is coming out is goladomatmilahahadodaaaaaasotogalamatusu - very fast - long strings of - what the hell did she just say? Every time I open my mouth - there it is - I don't know what I'm saying, but it's not what I'm thinking. I can write - I can type - I can't talk.
Today is September 28, 2012
I took my copaxone shot today.
I had done a little research that showed copaxone to be just as effective (only 30% at best) taken every other day, as it is every day. I have intense burning pain from these shots, made worse by moving the area of the shot. So I stay put - for at least 20-30 minutes and try to think about something else. I am much happier doing this every other day. Besides, I'm not convinced I have MS, and neither is the neuro at Hopkins - so if this stuff is doing any damage, at least I can hopefully cut that in half.
Today was a PT day and evaluation.
I have been pushed pretty hard in PT the last several weeks. Today was session 14 of 30. I've found that I need to rest - seriously cannot walk hardly at all - after these sessions. Otherwise, my leg collapses. My therapist just nods as I explain this to her stating, we are working very hard and your legs are very weak, you must rest. So, okay - two days a week - I'm on the couch all day after a 45 minute to 1 hour workout that consists of very small movements to strengthen my legs and core. Thank goodness I can crochet.
Ah - I'm making holiday gifts. I can be happy with this - but not the spread of my ass from all the sitting :( The first month or two after this attack (May, June) I could not crochet - my fingers couldn't remember how to do it at first - then became so tired, all I could do was make the beginning chain - trying to do anymore resulted in an absolute mess.
I had a nap already, right after PT and likely will need another. I can't even begin to explain what this fatigue is like. Trying to ignore or push past it is futile - that is when the legs stop working, the fingers stop working, and the mind stops working.
I've already started talking gibberish today. It is so frustrating. I am trying to tell my husband our daughter just texted us a message, and all that is coming out is goladomatmilahahadodaaaaaasotogalamatusu - very fast - long strings of - what the hell did she just say? Every time I open my mouth - there it is - I don't know what I'm saying, but it's not what I'm thinking. I can write - I can type - I can't talk.
So here I am
I went through a very short period where I believed I was getting better. I went through several weeks believing I had MS and trying to adjust. Then something occurred to me.
How could I be having these symptoms for 12 years - and it be MS - and have NO LESIONS? Sure, you can diagnose MS without lesions, but aren't you supposed to keep looking for them? I've had MRI of my brain, C-Spine, and T-Spine - no lesions.
Oddly enough, I do have chiari malformation, but it is not serious and likely not the cause of most of my symptoms.
The pain has been fairly constant for several years - burning down both legs and in my feet, especially if I do anything too active (like gardening). Pain in my fingers, including this deep burn that I swear is THE worst pain I've ever felt (and I did give birth twice) when I hit my fingers against something just the right way. Pain across my shoulders, back, and in my chest from tight muscles, also my legs and feet cramp.
In July, I began walking circles to the right. I'll get up and begin to walk (hobble) and end up going in about two circles to the right before I realize I'm walking in a circle - then I try to stop myself from walking in a circle. Hopefully, before I hit 10 circles, hubby will have come by and stopped me. It takes a serious concerted effort and an arm, or my cane, to walk straight.
Ah, the cane. At my last neuro appt, my husband says to the neurologist on his way out the door - wouldn't physical therapy maybe be helpful. Neuro wrote a script and a few weeks later, physical therapy. My therapist stated I need to keep the cane with me - balance is a real issue - and may need a wheelchair from time to time. I don't have a wheelchair, or a house suited to using one.
Back in May, I had some difficulty talking - speech was slow and chunky. That seemed to clear up. In August, this problem came back - much worse. Only this time, it's not just slow speaking - it feels like some entirely different language. I can run on for several minutes before I realize what I'm saying is absolute nonsense to me and every one else in the room - except the dogs - somehow they still understand me.
Several calls throughout July and August to make an appointment with my neuro got the same result - his schedule is locked and we can't make appointments - try in two or three weeks.
It probably isn't hard to imagine my frustration. In late July, I went down to the MS Center at Hopkins in Baltimore. I really like the neurologist there. He seems to think I don't have MS, but Sjogren's syndrome. I asked should I be taking this immunomodulator - Copaxone - if I don't have MS? He said sure, keep taking it ? (BTW, Copaxone costs about $4,300 per month, it is given by injection, and shown to reduce relapse of Relapsing Remitting MS by 30% - it also causes a lot of pain, and skin problems and possible necrosis)
So, I have been through blood tests, MRI, eye tests, and Monday I go for a lip biopsy to see if I have Sjogren's disease. I don't see the neuro at Hopkins again until November.
I saw my family doctor last week. She completed the paperwork that's been sent to my neuro for the last three months that he never sent back. Thank goodness my measly disability check will keep coming, and I can keep our health coverage a little longer. She said I need to find another neuro - yea, ya think? I asked the neuro at Hopkins, but understandably, he can't take my care if he doesn't diagnose me with MS. So, I guess I am on a search for a local neuro.
How could I be having these symptoms for 12 years - and it be MS - and have NO LESIONS? Sure, you can diagnose MS without lesions, but aren't you supposed to keep looking for them? I've had MRI of my brain, C-Spine, and T-Spine - no lesions.
Oddly enough, I do have chiari malformation, but it is not serious and likely not the cause of most of my symptoms.
The pain has been fairly constant for several years - burning down both legs and in my feet, especially if I do anything too active (like gardening). Pain in my fingers, including this deep burn that I swear is THE worst pain I've ever felt (and I did give birth twice) when I hit my fingers against something just the right way. Pain across my shoulders, back, and in my chest from tight muscles, also my legs and feet cramp.
In July, I began walking circles to the right. I'll get up and begin to walk (hobble) and end up going in about two circles to the right before I realize I'm walking in a circle - then I try to stop myself from walking in a circle. Hopefully, before I hit 10 circles, hubby will have come by and stopped me. It takes a serious concerted effort and an arm, or my cane, to walk straight.
Ah, the cane. At my last neuro appt, my husband says to the neurologist on his way out the door - wouldn't physical therapy maybe be helpful. Neuro wrote a script and a few weeks later, physical therapy. My therapist stated I need to keep the cane with me - balance is a real issue - and may need a wheelchair from time to time. I don't have a wheelchair, or a house suited to using one.
Back in May, I had some difficulty talking - speech was slow and chunky. That seemed to clear up. In August, this problem came back - much worse. Only this time, it's not just slow speaking - it feels like some entirely different language. I can run on for several minutes before I realize what I'm saying is absolute nonsense to me and every one else in the room - except the dogs - somehow they still understand me.
Several calls throughout July and August to make an appointment with my neuro got the same result - his schedule is locked and we can't make appointments - try in two or three weeks.
It probably isn't hard to imagine my frustration. In late July, I went down to the MS Center at Hopkins in Baltimore. I really like the neurologist there. He seems to think I don't have MS, but Sjogren's syndrome. I asked should I be taking this immunomodulator - Copaxone - if I don't have MS? He said sure, keep taking it ? (BTW, Copaxone costs about $4,300 per month, it is given by injection, and shown to reduce relapse of Relapsing Remitting MS by 30% - it also causes a lot of pain, and skin problems and possible necrosis)
So, I have been through blood tests, MRI, eye tests, and Monday I go for a lip biopsy to see if I have Sjogren's disease. I don't see the neuro at Hopkins again until November.
I saw my family doctor last week. She completed the paperwork that's been sent to my neuro for the last three months that he never sent back. Thank goodness my measly disability check will keep coming, and I can keep our health coverage a little longer. She said I need to find another neuro - yea, ya think? I asked the neuro at Hopkins, but understandably, he can't take my care if he doesn't diagnose me with MS. So, I guess I am on a search for a local neuro.
stress
In early April, a bit of an income tax return in hand, we decided to finally renovate one room of our small house. It was a real throwback to the 70's - green vinyl floor, dark heavy wood paneling, one-pane small wooden windows. We contracted to have three, slightly bigger, vinyl replacement windows installed and, as part of the contract, agreed to have the walls down to studs. We wanted to drywall the room and put in new insulation - a new floor - we couldn't wait! We had ideas for expanding the renovation to completely finish the first floor - luckily, we hadn't torn it all apart.
When this 'attack' hit me and knocked me out of work, this room, which is technically almost half the square footage of our entire home, was studs. I'm writing this from a room in studs, with some new insulation, a 70's green vinyl floor, three beautiful new windows, and drywall on part of the ceiling.
My sweetheart has suffered from scleroderma for over 20 years. I have been the one with the job, the benefits - now I can't work and can't do much to help on the house. The going is very slow. The last several weeks, he is suffering generalized weakness more than usual - and I'm really afraid.
We live on a small homestead we spent 12 years building. We grow much of our own food: vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs. I am vegetarian, eating vegan much of the time. Hubby eats mostly vegetarian, and some meat.
We have three German Shepherd dogs who keep us pretty busy - we adore them :)
All of this is what we loved. It is now a sincere struggle to keep it going.
When this 'attack' hit me and knocked me out of work, this room, which is technically almost half the square footage of our entire home, was studs. I'm writing this from a room in studs, with some new insulation, a 70's green vinyl floor, three beautiful new windows, and drywall on part of the ceiling.
My sweetheart has suffered from scleroderma for over 20 years. I have been the one with the job, the benefits - now I can't work and can't do much to help on the house. The going is very slow. The last several weeks, he is suffering generalized weakness more than usual - and I'm really afraid.
We live on a small homestead we spent 12 years building. We grow much of our own food: vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs. I am vegetarian, eating vegan much of the time. Hubby eats mostly vegetarian, and some meat.
We have three German Shepherd dogs who keep us pretty busy - we adore them :)
All of this is what we loved. It is now a sincere struggle to keep it going.
The diagnosis
So, now we're in June of 2012. I'd been sent post haste to Neurology. Needless to say, I did not get better or get back to work and was put on FMLA through the end of June - I was SURE I'd be back by then.
After thousands of dollars worth of blood tests, MRI's that showed NO LESIONS, and a Lumbar Puncture (that's Spinal Tap - and not the rock band - for those my age) showing elevated proteins, high iGf and O-banding (I am trying to obtain a copy of this so I have the specifics) - I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on June 21, 2012.
That appt went something like this - I need to have another damned paper filled out for the insurance (it was explained to me that on June 30, my FMLA needed to be rolled over to post-FMLA short term disability). I made an emergency appt to get the paper filled out and sent in on time. This neurologist refused to ever do a form without an app
ointment, explaining he wanted to 'stick it to the insurance company.' I hardly think that's the case since I am the one having to get in there for an appointment and pay the copay, but okay - whatever I have to do to be able to keep my house and health insurance a little longer.
In the midst of completing this form, he says to me - oh, your LP came back with elevated blah blah (the things I don't remember entirely and need for the copy), which is positive for MS. I'm saying, the insurance company wants you to include your tests and findings here. He writes seven medications on a script and hands it to me - says, this one costs this much, this one that much, blah blah. Pick one.
I ask if I can research these first. He says I can certainly have the week. I'm not a person who takes medication very often. I am a traditional herbalist and treat basic illness with herbs. The antibiotic I took for pneumonia was the first allopathic medication I'd taken in likely 10 years.
It wasn't until my darling husband and I were walking back to the car that I even realized he had diagnosed me with MS. I cried all the way to the car.
I spent the next week learning that the list was comprised of drugs for primary MS, and for secondary MS - doesn't he even know what I have? He didn't tell me (and never has) is it RRMS? PPMS? SPMS? What do I have?
On June 28, I had another form, and an appointment. While he filled out the form, I completed the Copaxone application. He informed me it would take 3-9 months for the Copaxone to 'work' and I should follow up with him in 3 months. I didn't even know what 'working' was, since all the research I'd done basically said it wasn't going to help me with symptoms, but might delay the next relapse/attack.
I'd waited 2 and a half hours in the waiting room and patient room to see my neurologist on this day. He was so hurried through the appointment, I never even got to ask what kind of MS do I have? When I got to the check out desk, they told me his schedule is locked and they cannot make appointments for him. They said they would call me.
After thousands of dollars worth of blood tests, MRI's that showed NO LESIONS, and a Lumbar Puncture (that's Spinal Tap - and not the rock band - for those my age) showing elevated proteins, high iGf and O-banding (I am trying to obtain a copy of this so I have the specifics) - I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on June 21, 2012.
That appt went something like this - I need to have another damned paper filled out for the insurance (it was explained to me that on June 30, my FMLA needed to be rolled over to post-FMLA short term disability). I made an emergency appt to get the paper filled out and sent in on time. This neurologist refused to ever do a form without an app
ointment, explaining he wanted to 'stick it to the insurance company.' I hardly think that's the case since I am the one having to get in there for an appointment and pay the copay, but okay - whatever I have to do to be able to keep my house and health insurance a little longer.
In the midst of completing this form, he says to me - oh, your LP came back with elevated blah blah (the things I don't remember entirely and need for the copy), which is positive for MS. I'm saying, the insurance company wants you to include your tests and findings here. He writes seven medications on a script and hands it to me - says, this one costs this much, this one that much, blah blah. Pick one.
I ask if I can research these first. He says I can certainly have the week. I'm not a person who takes medication very often. I am a traditional herbalist and treat basic illness with herbs. The antibiotic I took for pneumonia was the first allopathic medication I'd taken in likely 10 years.
It wasn't until my darling husband and I were walking back to the car that I even realized he had diagnosed me with MS. I cried all the way to the car.
I spent the next week learning that the list was comprised of drugs for primary MS, and for secondary MS - doesn't he even know what I have? He didn't tell me (and never has) is it RRMS? PPMS? SPMS? What do I have?
On June 28, I had another form, and an appointment. While he filled out the form, I completed the Copaxone application. He informed me it would take 3-9 months for the Copaxone to 'work' and I should follow up with him in 3 months. I didn't even know what 'working' was, since all the research I'd done basically said it wasn't going to help me with symptoms, but might delay the next relapse/attack.
I'd waited 2 and a half hours in the waiting room and patient room to see my neurologist on this day. He was so hurried through the appointment, I never even got to ask what kind of MS do I have? When I got to the check out desk, they told me his schedule is locked and they cannot make appointments for him. They said they would call me.
Hello out there
I am in the midst of a nightmare that I know so many others must face. I've decided the only way to find answers is to start journaling everything - everything. So, here goes...
On April 24, 2012, I was not feeling so well. Extremely fatigued, feeling sort of like I was trying to walk through quicksand, with pain in my legs and general confusion and weakness. None of this was really new to me. I'd dealt with these symptoms on and off for about 12 years, usually lasting for a few days to a couple weeks, then I would feel better. This time was just a little different, though. It was heavy - not sure how else to describe it - just worse than ever before.
Somehow on April 24, I managed to drive (very, very slowly) to work. I put a call in to my doctor because I had just gone through a bout of illness that went from sinusitis to bronchitis to pneumonia. I was working 10 -12 hour days running a very busy office on my own. My family doctor called me back and said she wanted me in the Emergency Room right away. She said I wasn't talking correctly.
In the ER, a doctor came in after hours of basically nothing being done other than a blood and urine test, and essentially treated me like a dumb ass - didn't I KNOW I had MS?
Well, no - I didn't know, and still didn't know. I'd never been diagnosed with MS as far as I knew. And, if I was, it would have been nice if someone told me.
I was put on FMLA - told my boss I was sure I'd be back in a week or so, by the beginning of May. This always worked itself out with rest. So, rest I did.
On April 24, 2012, I was not feeling so well. Extremely fatigued, feeling sort of like I was trying to walk through quicksand, with pain in my legs and general confusion and weakness. None of this was really new to me. I'd dealt with these symptoms on and off for about 12 years, usually lasting for a few days to a couple weeks, then I would feel better. This time was just a little different, though. It was heavy - not sure how else to describe it - just worse than ever before.
Somehow on April 24, I managed to drive (very, very slowly) to work. I put a call in to my doctor because I had just gone through a bout of illness that went from sinusitis to bronchitis to pneumonia. I was working 10 -12 hour days running a very busy office on my own. My family doctor called me back and said she wanted me in the Emergency Room right away. She said I wasn't talking correctly.
In the ER, a doctor came in after hours of basically nothing being done other than a blood and urine test, and essentially treated me like a dumb ass - didn't I KNOW I had MS?
Well, no - I didn't know, and still didn't know. I'd never been diagnosed with MS as far as I knew. And, if I was, it would have been nice if someone told me.
I was put on FMLA - told my boss I was sure I'd be back in a week or so, by the beginning of May. This always worked itself out with rest. So, rest I did.
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