So now StrongOpinions' mother asks for prayers for herself. You may recall I mentioned recently I had to go for my semiannual MRI, a result of the bout of optic neuritis I had a little over a year ago. I lay down in the tube and listened to the squeaks and claps and bonks, while they pumped gadolinium in my veins and looked at my brain. Unfortunately, they found some changes in this brain.
Yes, I know, I'm going to seminary so OF COURSe my brain has changed!
But this was a small change of a kind they don't like, so they're going to start me on drugs for Multiple Sclerosis.
Normally, MS is diagnosed by two neurological "events" separated in time and separated in the parts of the body they affect. I've had one (the optic neuritis) only, but given the change in the MRI, they're pretty sure it's MS, mostly because they've ruled out anything else it might be. So I will begin injecting myself every morning with Copaxone, the purpose of which is to keep relapses at bay, and possibility to limit any disability to something easy, like lumps in the injection sites.
This is not all bad news: the fact that I've been diagnosed this late in my life (!) and I'm a woman and the optic neuritis responded so well to treatment all bodes well for the eventual progress of the disease.
Still, it is a pain, both literally and figuratively. The uncertainty of the progression of the disease is hard to take. I'm praying for another 15 years of disability-free service to the church (that would take me to mandatory retirement age). At some point soon, I'll have to tell my Bishop. I think he will be supportive, and won't say "No seminary for you, missy!" But there's still a small part of me that's scared.
I'm looking for the pony in the room full of manure...
I'm so sorry, Mibi! I'll be praying that this will have a minimal effect on your life and plans for seminary and service to your church. (((hugs)))
ReplyDelete(((mibi)))
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. I pray that all would be well with your soul and your body.
(((mibi)))
ReplyDeleteOh, the timing, the timing. Perhaps it's just right, in the sense that early intervention will make a difference for you. You are in my prayers.
Well, I did my first self-injection this afternoon. The start of the rest of my life, or at least until they come up with an oral version of Copaxone. Not bad, although I'm having a teensy site reation. One more way i can learn to be more understanding of the challenges my parishioners will face.
ReplyDeleteYou are braver than I, giving yourself an injection. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteOh Mini, I'm so sorry to hear about this!
ReplyDeletePrayers that it will not give you much trouble. Hang in there.
Eh, my typing is off today...
ReplyDeleteI meant Mibi, not Mini - I actually always pictured you as being on the taller side also...
:-)
"Mini" isn't far from wrong, Sophia, since I'm barely 5'2". I like to think I project as a tall person, though, in hopes that the weight might be spread over a longer frame!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this mibi. It is good that the technology allows for such early diagnosis now. My hubby was ten years waiting for a confirmed diagnosis (that was many years ago, before MRI was available).
ReplyDeleteYou are also at a good point in the condition for the Copaxone to do its work.
If you want/need any tips of life with MS, hubby has been diagnosed for 14 years and has had symptoms for 24 years. Not that we're experts, but with MS living in our home for so long, we're at least well acquainted with it.
(((((mibi)))))
Bless your heart. I'm sorry to hear this but I will keep you in my prayers...
ReplyDeletehugs to you...and all.
Oh Mibi...that's scary for you. Lots of love and many prayers and blessings xxx
ReplyDeleteMibi, thought I'd posted but it must not have gone through.
ReplyDeleteLots of hugs and prayers going your direction.