22 Years ago today in 1989 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The day before my 25th birthday. I will always remember that day.
I had spent almost that whole year before going through test after test. Some very painful and uncomfortable tests I might add! I went to the doctor complaining of weakness on my left side, accompanied by numbness, tingling and poor circulation.
My husband was in the Air Force and we were stationed in Holland, Soesterberg Air Force base. The base only had a clinic, so we had to see Dutch specialists and use the local hospitals.
I had to see a Dutch neurologist his name was Dr. Kools. He was probably in his mid to late 70's. He sat across his desk from my husband and I smoking an unfiltered cigarette. He had a very thick dutch accent.
After several tests he found nothing wrong and sent a letter to my Dr. on base saying that the problem's were "psychological". We went home knowing something was wrong, but not able to put a name to it. I returned a few months later, after several falls demanding an answer. He decided to put me the hospital for the dreaded "lumbar puncture".
Once again sitting across the desk from Dr. Kools, cigarette in hand, January 9, 1989. He said "You have Sclerosis Multiplex"
He put me in the hospital for 4 weeks of steroid treatments.
Now I had a name to put to this problem, but what was MS? We didn't know, but we were going to find out!
Fast Forward 22 years! Have I endured it well? I think I have!
No comments:
Post a Comment