The worst days I've ever had were those immediately after diagnosis of relapsing MS, as I grieved for what I saw as the loss of my good health. Over several months, that grief grew into an obsession with MS that my wife described as an unwelcome "elephant in the room". During that time I wouldn't have been capable of having a good day if I'd won the Powerball jackpot!
Fortunately, time is a great healer. (Licensed therapists aren't bad either!) After a few months, the side effects from my Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) shots had diminished to a dull headache in the morning which was easily rectified with a couple of over-the-counter pain reliever pills and the occasional injection site reaction. I realized that I actually felt fine. I took control of my health in other ways — I went to more Tae Kwon Do classes, and I made plenty of time for sleep. Best of all I started having good days again.
A year after diagnosis I had a great day — my neurologist called me with the results of my annual MRI*. He sounded thrilled as he told me that there were no enhancing lesions, no new lesions, and that some of the old ones seemed to have healed.
But the best day that I've had — the very best day — was the first day that I didn't think about my relapsing MS even once. Not a single time. The MS elephant had been banished. That day was truly awesome and I'm happy to say that I'm having days just like it more and more often as time goes on. I wish you all many days just like it.
*The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.
This journal reflects the personal experience of one person and others can be different. It is best to contact your doctor to discuss what's best for you. Tim is an MS LifeLines Ambassador and has chosen to share his story with other people living with MS. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono and Pfizer.
