It was early in 2009 when I was told it was time for a transfer. I was satisfied with my work environment, but it’s time for a change of pace. My options are limited because of my MS diagnosis. However, I still had very good location options. I chose familiarity, and an environment that would be suitable for the whole family. The paperwork came through in the spring, and the house we had lived in for 17 years, went on the market. The very slow market.
Spring turned to summer then to fall. Frustrated with the slow movement I worked on the interior of the house in an attempt to make it more attractive. My energy level was unbelievable. I thought at the time that a written piece of paper with Clinically Isolated Syndrome was the diagnosis, and I didn’t give MS another thought (although my feet have been numb for five years now). The house finally sold with closing in December.
When it came to searching for a home that is when an MS diagnosis became a consideration. What if it returns? What if the ripped piece of paper is just a tease?
We searched for a home with a level entrance and very few stairs. Stairs are an important consideration for someone with MS.
Common symptoms of MS are: balance, Dizziness, fatigue, difficulty walking, pain, spasticity, tremors and weakness. I include those as just barriers for stairs – other symptoms include bladder and bowel dysfunction, optic issues, sensory impairment, sexual dysfunction, and pain. This is not a complete list, but the most important.
Oh — I should include heat intolerance.
We found the right place and made an offer. The home had a hot tub in the back yard and we’ve always wanted a hot tub. The offer was accepted and the home became ours in early December.
We settled into the house and the community. The familiarity with the city and co-workers allowed me to settle in quickly. However, I became lazy with my personal care. My diet changed for the worse. I didn’t get the appropriate rest.
It took about two years for my personal abuse to show itself. It’s late October 2011.
After work I went home to enjoy the evening, and finish the day off with a nice soak in the hot tub with my wife. I had been experiencing the odd problems with my body throughout the days the previous weeks, but I just thought I was tired. I noticed that when I was tired my right eye became cloudy. It was as if I was looking through thin plastic wrap that had been smeared with Vaseline. I also noticed my energy wasn’t the same.
I spent about ten minutes in the hot tub, then felt overheated, climbed out and began to walk towards the sliding glass door to the house. My left leg wasn’t moving the same as the right. I had trouble picking up my left foot, and when I placed it down it dropped awkwardly. I walked to the stairs to the main part of the house. My left foot began to drag then drop. It was tiring, and frightening.
“What have I done,” I said out loud to no one in particular. Panic set in. I sat at the foot of the stairs. I thought maybe I just need to cool down. My mind was racing. I gave it a couple of minutes before heading upstairs for a shower. I sat there with my mind racing through all the previous signs that this was coming.
My right eye had been trouble for a while. It was during the warm summer months when I first noticed the clearness of my eye began to sporadically trouble me. I would pull my car over to the side of the road to clean my glasses. I was just fooling myself that didn’t help.
Walking and balance were a little suspect, but I was tired. I didn’t have a drop foot like I’ve read in all the literature I had consumed over the years. I flashed back to the last year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies. I had dressed in my Red Serge and joined the ranks like I have done every year since becoming a Mountie. We marched from the detachment to downtown. As we marched in formation I had to carefully watch my balance to keep in line. That was after a night shift so, again, I thought I was just tired.
I also noticed over time the numbness in my feet grew in its intensity.
Those symptoms were all the little things that I should have paid more attention to. I should have immediately sought help from an MS specialist. I should have gone to the doctor when it was just my eye.
The heat of the hot tub was the final hit. I am in trouble now. I am having difficulty walking up 13 stairs. Up until now I was in denial.
This is the undeniable beginning of MS.
On The Road With MS 