More Tests
The next day I was taken to have an MRI taken of my spine. That in itself was a strange experience. They had me take valium in preparation for the test. Looking back on it I can see why. I was asked to lie down on a slab that stuck out of a large mechanical tube. I was eventually backed into the tube. There was a lot of noise as pictures were taken of my spine.
A few days later the neurologist that had ordered the test called. Because nothing had shown on the test he wanted me to come in for an MRI of my head. That time I was prepared. The dark tube with its strange noises wasn't nearly as alarming as it had been the first time.
After, we went home to our young children. They, of course, asked a lot of questions. We had decided ahead of time to make it exciting for them. We made it sound more like a carnival ride. We wanted them to think that all of this was a big adventure. We were successful. They went out to play.
The rest of the week was uneventful other than occasionally stumbling which I managed to brush off. I received a call from my neurologist the next week to discuss the MRI results. By that time our children thought nothing of my visits to the doctor. It was just another opportunity to play with their grandparents.
Diagnosis
We were seated in an examination room. The neurologist that had been assigned to my case entered the room. He casually hopped up on the examination table as if to have a ‘chat’. He explained that my problems weren’t related to my back. He went on to tell us about the different types of MS, including the untreatable chronic/progressive, which is the kind I have.
He was able to prescribe something to ease my daily pain so that I could function, but there was nothing more that he could do. We were determined to make our lives as normal as possible. We told our children that mommy was “sick”, but didn't go into a lot of details. There was so much we didn't know ourselves.
Over the years we have learned to function on a somewhat normal basis. Our once young children are responsible adults. They have actually assured me that because of my illness they are more sensitive to others. They have thanked us for helping them learn to deal with difficulties that most kids never have to experience. They have told us how much they admire us for sticking together under circumstances that many would have let tear their families apart.
They are stronger because of my illness and the way we handled it over the years. They are more prepared to rise above challenges and conquer them. They are responsible, confident adults, and that warms my heart and strengthens my spirit.
