I Listened to ME!  Was I right...was I wrong!

Living with MS 37 years, having 3 Neuro's, diagnosed in a time there were no ABC drugs, infusions, pills...nothing!  Knowing so many personally with MS and watching them take the new drugs with only disease progression.

A firm believer in listening to my own body, while understanding all of what my doc is saying.  I will never know if I was right or wrong.  34 years I lived without a drug, I lived with severe symptoms, but able to live what was my new norm.

3 years ago, my Neuro changed, I, now had a very aggressive doc who started from scratch, an MRI etc.  Before, no lesions active, now facing 3 new lesions all active.  Scared, fear, staying rational all encompassed me.  What in the hell am I going to do now?  The question was let the disease progress or slow it down, if the drug of choice worked for me...

My Neuro told my husband and I, “There was no waiting now, MS will at some point rear it's ugly head.”  I could only take Copaxone, due to complications with other drugs.
I am in my 3rd year of daily injections, thankfully no complications.  I did have an over night exacerbation in 2012, due to extreme stress, because of personal loss.

My MRI, now shows an old lesion in my spine totally disappeared and 3 others not active.  My Neuro entered on last visit calling me her “SUPER RESPONDER!”  I was responding to Copaxone like no other patient.  At first I didn't hear what she said, because of her excitement in her voice, finally feeling something good for a welcome change.

I cannot go back in time, but only move forward, I will always be in the biggest fight of my life living with MS.  I now have a great respect, along with hatred of this disease, like never before in my life. This disease needs to be stopped!  Is enough being done?  Don't ask me, I'm trying to survive the beast!  Just one of many!  And those that will hear, “You have MS!”

Never wish a second, an hour, a day away and NEVER take anything for granted!  For Multiple Sclerosis has NO SYMPATHY for anyone, no matter what age.

The Best!
Dee Ryden

For 3/29/14