April Saraceni | Cavalier, ND
One evening in October of 2007, I was at the gym, running on the treadmill, and noticed that my toes were tingling. I pressed on, and soon noticed that my fingers were tingling. I didn't think much of it, went home, showered and dressed,and still my fingers and toes tingled. Over the next few days, the tingling got stronger, and I strted experiencing numbness in my feet and hands, then an electric shock sensation when I nodded my head, then finally numbness through my midsection. I went to the doctor, thinking I most likely had a pinched nerve, and was told that MS was a likely possibility. I knew nothing about the disease. I was sent for an MRI, and for bloodwork to rule out thyroid problems, then finally to a neurologist, who confirmed my diagnosis. I had MS. My syptoms slowly faded over the next several weeks, until they were gone completely. I started copaxone in November, and have been feeling "normal."
At first, I was devestated by the news of my diagnosis, as I had visions of whelchairs and colostomy bags, memory loss, and total body weakness. With time, and prayer, I've come to accept this diagnosis, and I kow that, corny as it may sound, even though I have MS, MS doesnt' have me. I have determined to live my life to the fullest, no matter what limitatons may come in the future, and to always hope for the best possible outcome. I've started running again, because I CAN, and I'm doing the MS walk this year, because I CAN, and I'm taking care of my family every day and laughing often because I CAN.
I found out just two weeks ago that I am unexpectedly, and joyfully, pregnant. My doctor reccomended that I discontinue copaxone for the time being, so I have. I plan on going back on medicine when it's safe for me and my new baby. I have had no syptoms since before Christmas, and I'm hoping for an uneventful pregnancy, but I am prepared to deal with any complications as they come, and determined not to stress or worry about the "what if's," because it's so much more fruitful to live the life I'm in than to worry about what could be. And the life I'm in is GOOD, MS and all!