Working with MS...

I was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago. I lost feeling in my left foot. I thought it was my shoes. I fell and fractured my foot. I waited until I was healed, but I still couldn't use my left foot. The doctor suggested physical therapy. So I went and one look at my foot and she told me she couldn't help me right now. She told me it had nothing to do with a fracture, that it was something more. I went to my general physician and he agreed. He refered me to a neurologist.

After numerous tests to rule out everything under the sun, a spinal tap finally gave us the information my neurologist dreaded. I have Multiple Sclerosis.

I was single, successful in my childcare career, and refused to let it bring me down. I immediately wanted to know my options and what we could do for me to have a successful life. I never thought it would deter me from working or living. I would go for monthly infusions of medication and would try to "fit them" into my schedule. My bimonthly neurologist visits also had to fit into my work schedule. I was too stubborn to have them interfere with my life.

I was working at a large cooperate childcare center as the Director. I was determined to run the school as I would before my diagnosis. However, it got harder and harder. Between the stress, my appointments, and my exhaustion I had to admit defeat. I couldn't run the school with the vigor that I once had.

I moved to a smaller school, the one that started my career in childcare. The owners wanted to start minimizing their presence there and wanted a director to help them run the school. It was a much smaller school and they were extremely hands on so we ran the school together as a team. I wasn't as tired and even if I was, they helped me pick up the slack. It was perfect.

I have since left that school because after the birth of my second child, I realized my energy level would not allow me to be a full time Director as well as mom of two. I stay at home with my boys which became a blessing because now I write. I write my dreams, my daydreams, and any other fantasies that come up. I am venturing a new path and my curse ended up being my blessing.