I've been thinking lately that this whole journey thing through life is a little tricky. There are unexplained stops along the way and detours when you least expect them. There are also those annoying potholes and speed bumps that just plain slow you down. I seem to have hit one of them.
About 2 weeks ago, I woke up morning morning and my feet were numb. It was a little strange, but I figured it would go away. I like to curl up when I sit on the couch, so my feet often fall asleep. No big deal, I thought. It was a little strange that it didn't go away. As the days went on, the numbness traveled up my legs to my middle. By Friday it was more than just a little annoying. I was scared, so I went to the doctor. She said there were several possibilities for my "weird nerve thing". She said I would need a MRI to figure out the source of this numbness. I got scheduled for one the following Wednesday. The MRI scans showed that there were lesions in places in my brain that are typical of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She said that I would need an appointment with a neurologist to get an official diagnosis. That was a scary thought. What a rotten week! Most definitely a bump in the journey.
I went to the neurologist this past Monday and he told me that it was MS. My physical exam was "unremarkable" meaning that I can still balance, walk, and move my muscles just fine. I just can't feel them. He also showed me my MRI images. It's kinda cool to see what is in your head. I've never seen my brain before. :) I'm a bit of a science nerd I suppose. Anyway, the lesions show up as white places in the MRI scan. It was interesting to see what was in there. I can already hear the comments from my family about my brain. But there is proof that I do actually have one! It just isn't working quite right at the moment.
They did a regular scan of my brain and then added dye to my blood in order to "light up" the active lesions that are in there. When the active spots are identified, the treatment can be figured out. Unfortunately, there were not active spots that lit up. According to the doctor, that means that the active lesions are father down my spinal cord. So, its back to the MRI tube for another scan. This is not exactly how I wanted to spend my Christmas Break, but I suppose I do have some free time coming up next week. Hopefully the doctor's office will call soon to let me know when the appointment is. Then I will know what the treatment will be. It most likely will be medication of some sort.
So for now, I just keep waiting. It seems to be a theme lately. Waiting for a call that will change my path. So, I guess I am learning to be patient. I must need some more practice at waiting. At this rate, I'm gonna be a pro!
*** Update - I go for the follow-up MRI on Monday afternoon. Merry Christmas to me!
I could make a new verse of the song about the 2 front teeth! "All I want for Christmas is a MRI scan, a MRI scan, a MRI scan...." To be followed by "All I want for Christmas is some pills to take..." Kinda catchy, don't you think? :)
