Kim — MS LifeLines^® Ambassador

I have an exciting career as a full-time nurse practitioner at a level one trauma center. I am an educator in critical care and an officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. I have a great family—I've been married to a career U.S. Coast Guard pilot for more than 23 years, and we have two wonderful children: a daughter and a son. I love good food, and I operate a cooking school. I grow organic heirloom tomatoes and roses. And I have relapsing multiple sclerosis. Like all stories—mine has a beginning.

We are a military family, which means we are assigned to a new location every three or four years. We've traveled the world, and we looked forward to running or cycling wherever we went next—whether it was Kodiak Island, Alaska, where eagles soar overhead and the wind freezes your face, or Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where we could run along the beautiful cranberry bogs. Our move to Northern Florida was the same—this time with white sandy beaches.

During one of those runs we always looked forward to, I started tripping over my left toe. What was up with that? Maybe I just needed new shoes. I got some—but they didn't help. I kept running anyway until one day I fell and fell hard. I decided I had a sciatic nerve injury. Of course! All I needed was a pain reliever and some ice. I figured as a nurse practitioner, caregiver supreme to everyone who needs me—I must know! I ran in the Marine Corp Children's Charity run in spite of my "injury", dragging my very numb leg across the finish line with a time I don't like to admit.

Finally, I realized I wasn't so sure about my self-diagnosis, and I took myself to the emergency department at the Navy Base. The ER doctor referred me to the neurology clinic where I began a period of testing that took two months and felt like two years! My neurologist called on October 24, 2002, at 16:24, and gave me the diagnosis: relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. I was sitting at my desk, the dull roar of the emergency department where I worked behind me. I think most of us with MS remember our moment when we first got the diagnosis.

Up to this point, my friends and family only knew that I was having some kind of leg problem. It was very hard to share my diagnosis, but I had the advantage of a medical background, so I was somewhat educated about the condition. My friends and family had an entirely different picture of MS. They worried that this wife, mom, friend might change forever. It was a scary time for all of us.

In the first week after my diagnosis, a good friend, who my husband has flown with for years, came over to the house after a flight. He had tears in his eyes and was carrying a copy of a 1970s diet thought to be helpful to MS patients. He offered to build me a ramp so I could get to our dock. My husband's commanding officer and good friend offered words of encouragement and advice to slow down, maybe work part time. My running partner and friend, who is an occupational therapist, started making plans to keep me running and moving. She was there for me and whatever my wounded family needed. Their support was incredible.

So, I said to myself, now what? My neurologists gave me reams of research and data and strongly urged me to begin treatment immediately. The idea of sticking myself with needles was a little scary—even for this seasoned nurse. All those years of saying "This will only hurt for a minute"—payback! I started on one treatment, but it wasn't doing everything I hoped. My new neurologist suggested I start on Rebif^® (interferon beta-1a), instead. The data regarding the Rebif studies were positive, and I wanted a treatment that would work best for me and my busy life.

I now inject on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, using the pre-filled syringes. I love knowing that there are thousands of people out there using Rebif, doing their injections with me. My side effects included flu-like symptoms and some skin reactions, but they have been manageable. Talk to your doctor to see if Rebif is right for you. For me a little redness at the injection site lasts for a few days, but I wear the red spot like a medal awarded for bravery in battle. Every time I give myself an injection I am empowered and feel like I am meeting my enemy head on.

Today is a great day! I am living successfully with my treatment and my new life with relapsing MS. My friend and running partner got me started working with a trainer some time ago. The trainer was the first stranger I ever told about my MS. She jumped right into working with me. Today, her favorite saying is, "We need to stimulate those neuro pathways!" Believe me, she does! I've also learned some important lessons. I used to think every waking minute should be filled with activity, but I've learned to make rest and taking care of myself as much of a priority as all my other activities.

This story reflects the personal experience of one person, and others can be different. Results and experiences vary from patient to patient. It is best to contact your doctor to discuss what's best for you. Kim is an MS LifeLines Ambassador, and she has chosen to share her story with other people living with MS.

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