MRI Results

Last Friday, I had to get MRIs of my brain and c-spine both with and without contrast. On Tuesday, I met with Dr. J to go over the results.

The MRIs proved that I *am* going through an acute MS relapse. (Like the numb hands weren’t a clue.)

On the bright side, they also showed that I haven’t had any disease progression in my brain since 2012! No new brain lesions for 2 years? I’ll take that.

On the not-so-bright side, they also showed that I have disease progression in my c-spine, specifically between C5 and C6, which accounts for why my hands today feel like I dipped them in a vat of Ben Gay.

Rae vs. the Relapse: take 3!

So, the fun job of fighting this relapse started a little over a month ago when I started having tons and tons of seizures. Fast forward to today – and I’ve already taken 2 medrol dose packs to try to get better.

When I saw Dr. J on Tuesday, I felt fine. Normal, even! I had even been doing well enough to get back to the gym on Monday for the first time in a month. Dr. J did a sensitivity test with a safety pin and I couldn’t feel it until you got to the very top of my arms – like 3 inches from the shoulder. He didn’t like that (and neither did I), so he asked Adam to do the test at home and email him later in the week.

Adam never got the chance to do the test because last night was seizurepalooza, and this morning, I woke up with the Ben Gay gloves. I emailed Dr. J, and he responded quickly by ordering a THIRD medrol dose pack.

Now, I’m trying really hard today not to second guess Dr. J. He’s been a neurologist longer than I’ve had MS… but it feels like 2 dose packs didn’t get the job done, so why would he think a 3rd would? It doesn’t make a ton of sense to me… but I don’t have an M.D. So, I’m going to take it and hope for the best. If it doesn’t take care of business, I’ll be searching for a new MS specialist. I’ve been dealing with this mess for too long.

There’s Always A Bright Side

Yeah, today, I’m physically feeling bad… but my friends on Facebook totally met the challenge when I asked for “cheer up” material. Having an amazing support network makes all the difference in the world. Nothing helps you feel better than laughing. Here’s the very best of what was shared.

and

And last but not least… the thing that has tickled me the most

Friend 1: Where do sheep go on vacation? (awaits your response) 🙂
Me: No idea. Where?
Friend 1: The Baaaaahamas.
Me: OMG. Not Baaaaaahrcelona?
Friend 1: Or there!
Me: This has tickled me way too much. I keep trying to think of where else they could vacation.
Friend 1: That’s all that matters, right?
Me: It’s definitely a better way to occupy my mind than focusing on anything else. I’m also thinking they’d enjoy Baaaahston
Friend 1: OMG. And go to the baaaaar!
Friend 2: Baaaaaaahrbados

Where would your sheep go on vacay? 😉