To begin my introduction, I guess I'll start out with the natural start. The creation of the Heavens and the Earth... Just kidding, but I will share this link to my beginning, and with it a shout-out to my sister for dumping so many wonderful compliments on me, despite me having been an obnoxious teenager at the time of her writing this
I think that's enough of an introduction of me growing up. I'll add this to my intro, though. I haven't really overcome the "awkward teenager" phase. My mind still goes blank around pretty girls, and I generally avoid people I don't like. Oh, wait. Everyone stays away from people they dislike? Well, then. I guess everyone is awkward, which means no one is... ANYWAY.
Now my more recent story. It took about 4 1/2 - 5 months to finally get a diagnosis.
I went partially blind. Well, sort of. I woke up one morning and realized that I couldn't see normally. It was as though I had looked into an extremely bright light on one part of both eyes. So, it took me a little while (of it getting worse, too) before going to an eye doctor. They found massive blind spots. Well, not blind spots exactly, from my research (NOT webMD) they are called Scintillating Scotoma.
They are next to my focal point on the left hand side of vision, both eyes. They extend from there to halfway up my visual field, all the way to the edge of my peripheral vision. So, obviously I couldn't drive anymore as I couldn't see oncoming traffic. I was without my pizza delivering job. The regular eye doctor referred me to a retinal specialist and his name was Dr. Aldridge. He said that my eyes are completely healthy, and in perfect condition. It's in my brain. So, he referred me to go get and MRI (what he said) but he actually sent me in for an MRA. He did say that he expects it was just a severe migraine that caused damage. back to the MRA.
That's where they use an MRI machine to look at the blood vessels. It came back completely clean, and normal. so, they scheduled me for a regular MRI. By the time the results came in, I noticed that my blind spots were no longer blind, but discolored. So I started driving again, and delivering pizza again. This may have been due to me being sick with a cold, and such. This happened over Christmas, so I guess you could say that I was given a very interesting Christmas gift?
The results came while delivering one morning, I got a call outside of some random guy's house, and they came back abnormal... I was told that they found "spots", I had to go get another MRI a few weeks later, and doctor Aldridge is referring me back to Dr Sharp who will probably refer me to a Neurologist. They found an area of tissue, I don't remember what he called it, in my brain, a spot you could say. The hospital doctors/radiologists gave a preliminary diagnosis, it as either Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis, or a stroke. Dr Aldridge still thinks it was a migraine that caused damage. The stroke would have showed up on my first MRA, so it's very likely not that.
Then he asked how the spots were doing. I told him that they had improved, and were just odd colors. He said that means that the brain is trying to heal itself, and that is very good. But it does mean that MS is more likely the cause of the issue in the first place... Very interesting, no?
I had an appointment with my Neurologist, Dr. Groves. He went over the results of the MRI with me, and mapped out the road to diagnosis. In the following couple of days I got a call to do another MRI, blood work, along with a lumbar puncture. He clarified what they found, and gave me a copy of the doctor note findings. This was in February. They found two "white" sections of damaged tissue. A lesion 7 millimeters long is the smaller, and he said it probably caused no symptoms. The other is 3.3cm by 2cm by 2.8cm spot, that is in the right Occipital Lobe next to the Occipital Horn of the right lateral ventricle. (the spot is a focal area of hyper-intense T2 and FLAIR, whatever that means)
The tests are part of looking for MS and maybe something called optic neuritis. Looking back I chuckle at this. "Why?" you ask? Because it was both. MS causes Optic Neuritis.
He asked if I drive, and he looked slightly alarmed when I said I'm a pizza delivery driver. He then asked if I feel safe doing that, and I explained my situation about how the spots are blueish now. He recommended reducing stress and the amount I drive. Ha, Right.
Well, to make this really long story shorter... I had a miserable time because of the silly spinal tap, I developed a spinal headache and man. I didn't get it taken care of. I was miserable for the better part of a week.
The results of the 2nd MRI showed several more lesions typical of MS, and so in late April, after yet another MRI, Dr Groves let me know. "Yeah, basically it's safe to say that you have MS". I was prescribed Tecfidera and went on to live the happy life I live.
Why is this a blessing? Well, for one thing, the issues I've had are not permanent. My blind/blue spots are no longer noticeable without thought, my second attack has faded, which affected my memory. It was one of the weirdest things that I've ever experienced, seriously. At times I would just completely forget a word. occasionally I would completely forget why I walk into a room. Actually that happened on a daily basis, more or less. Then some times I would completely forget why I said something, what I said, how I said it, etc. Strange.
But, that's faded. (I think? Hehehe) Back to why it's a blessing. Christ lives! And these things that have happened to me has reiterated just how much He is truly with us. He is absolutely watchful, ever mindful. He is good, trust in Him, learn of Him, and I can promise you that as you learn of Him he will calm the storms in your lives. He will be your Foundations when the trials and quaking begins. You will not be shaken! The Lord will not allow you to fall. He is ever there, waiting for you to reach out to Him. That is how He is with me. I love life, and despite my restrictions, things are wonderful. I began an MS diet soon after diagnosis, it's my own modified version of the modified Paleo Diet by Dr. Wahls
Obviously, this changed a lot of life plans. Like becoming a pilot. It made me realize just how much I am fascinated by brains, and medicine in general. Having optic Neuritis basically removed the option to fly as a career, but that's completely fine with me. I've since began the long road to becoming a Neurologist myself. I'm currently studying at UVU with plans to transfer to BYU. And, man! Life is just great!
Never forget how beautiful life is, because it simply is.
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