I was discharged from the hospital two days later with 3 doses of Sol-u-medrol in my veins. The nurse came back to the house the following day to start a new IV and train us on how to administer the meds. Luckily, my sister came to visit and was more than willing to play nurse for the weekend. Mike lucked out and didn't even have to watch.
She was there for the weekend and before she left, my parents flew in to help with the kids, and the housework, and just to help us find our new normal.
They were here for a week and we tackled more stuff that week than I had done in months. We had a birthday party, got haircuts, they chaffered me to multiple appointments, and Mike and I even got to go out for dinner together.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Happy Birthday
Did I mention to you that all of this IV, passing out, trip to the hospital happened to fall on my daughter's 5th birthday? Needless to say, it was much harder on my husband than myself.
Between picking up the girls, explaining to them that I was in the hospital but OK, carting them off to a swim meet, picking up cupcakes, and coming to visit me in the hospital, I'd say he earned his stripes that day and then some.
Thanks to him, we were able to sing Happy Birthday and enjoy cake together. Thanks Babe, I couldn't do anything without you! I LOVE YOU!
Between picking up the girls, explaining to them that I was in the hospital but OK, carting them off to a swim meet, picking up cupcakes, and coming to visit me in the hospital, I'd say he earned his stripes that day and then some.
Thanks to him, we were able to sing Happy Birthday and enjoy cake together. Thanks Babe, I couldn't do anything without you! I LOVE YOU!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Treatment
Dr. Williams sent me home to start a 5 day course of high-dose intravenous steroids. There would be a nurse coming to our house to insert a pick line and train us in administering the medicine every day. I wasn't too thrilled with the prospect of my "run at the sight of needles" husband getting trained on how to administer the steroids but I knew he could do it.
Ultimately, he lucked out. After the nurse inserted the IV, I started to not feel well and ended up passing out on her. They spoke to my doctor and they all agreed that it would be best for me to have my first doses in the hospital where I could be monitored.
Thus, they called 911 and the lovely firemen came and carried me out on a stretcher. Off we went to the ER.
Ultimately, he lucked out. After the nurse inserted the IV, I started to not feel well and ended up passing out on her. They spoke to my doctor and they all agreed that it would be best for me to have my first doses in the hospital where I could be monitored.
Thus, they called 911 and the lovely firemen came and carried me out on a stretcher. Off we went to the ER.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Meeting Dr.Williams
On Monday, July 16th, Mike and I took the train into Manhattan for my appointment. I was in no condition to walk the two miles, so we hailed a cab and in just a few short minutes, we were there. It's a beautiful facility, only blocks from Central Park.
I can honestly say, that I have never felt more studied and scrutinized than my first visit with Dr. Williams. I think we were with him for at least an hour and a half. I have to tell you now that this man is a saint, Dr. Armistead Williams III. He is young and he reminds me of Doogie Houser. He always thinks before he speaks, he is incredibly bright, and he looks at every angle. At the end of the visit, he wanted to see a few more brain images so we headed back for the train to make our way home.
I had the MRI done that night and I took the images back to his office the next day.
Well, you have probably heard by now... that day was my diagnosis day. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis exactly one month shy of my 30th birthday. Sometimes life is funny like that.
I can honestly say, that I have never felt more studied and scrutinized than my first visit with Dr. Williams. I think we were with him for at least an hour and a half. I have to tell you now that this man is a saint, Dr. Armistead Williams III. He is young and he reminds me of Doogie Houser. He always thinks before he speaks, he is incredibly bright, and he looks at every angle. At the end of the visit, he wanted to see a few more brain images so we headed back for the train to make our way home.
I had the MRI done that night and I took the images back to his office the next day.
Well, you have probably heard by now... that day was my diagnosis day. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis exactly one month shy of my 30th birthday. Sometimes life is funny like that.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Eye problems
On Friday July 13th, I started having sharp pains in my left eye. It seemed as though the headaches were now focusing their energy directly behind one eye. I called Dr. Newman right away and he was concerned. He wanted me to see an ophthalmologist that day. Because it was a Friday afternoon in the summertime, it was impossible to get anyone to answer a phone, let alone take an appointment, so Dr. Newman suggested going to the Wills Eye ER in Philadelphia. He wanted me to go as soon as possible so I called Michael and he started making his way home from Delaware.
I had an hour to find a place for the girls. Luckily, we have some of the best friends who have helped us over and over again, and this time was no different. She took the girls without even blinking.
By the time Mike made his way home, I was ready to go.
A quick drive across the bridge and four and a half hours in a waiting room, I was seen by an ophthalmologist and was given a diagnosis of Optic Neuritis.
They sat us down and started explaining what that meant. They were dancing around the words "Multiple Sclerosis". I told them I had an appointment with a MS neurologist on Monday and that I would follow up with him.
I had an hour to find a place for the girls. Luckily, we have some of the best friends who have helped us over and over again, and this time was no different. She took the girls without even blinking.
By the time Mike made his way home, I was ready to go.
A quick drive across the bridge and four and a half hours in a waiting room, I was seen by an ophthalmologist and was given a diagnosis of Optic Neuritis.
They sat us down and started explaining what that meant. They were dancing around the words "Multiple Sclerosis". I told them I had an appointment with a MS neurologist on Monday and that I would follow up with him.
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