First off, a huge thank you to wagglebee for posting the thread for me. The outpouring of love and comfort I feel from reading your prayers for me has me, again, in tears. I first looked at this thread and wanted to respond, but couldn't. I was completely humbled by the love and concern you've shown... by the feeling of being held in God's grace by your kindness.
I was initially hesitant about requesting prayers for a "relapse" as there are so many that are worse off than I am, and in need of prayers so much more than I am. I had held off for nearly a week until I knew this time, it was serious. Those of you who have MS or know someone with MS, know that this disease is a frustrating series of unpredictable attacks, with many being only minor and irritating while others can come on with a vengeance until you are left feeling helpless and out of control.
I've often considered myself Lucky for having MS. I'm one of the "invisible" MS patients; you can't tell by looking at me that I have it. Because of MS I have the opportunity to spend time with my 3 year old daughter. She's a wonder and I feel blessed to have her in my life along with my wonderfully supportive (and worried) husband, another FReeper many of you know.
I said earlier that I held off for a week. With MS, sometimes I don't know if something is going to be REALLY serious until it shows itself in some physical way. This time, half of my face started falling, and is slowly migrating left. It's stuck that way, for now. I was unable to get to the thread sooner after asking wagglebee to post a thread for me, because I was concerned about my vision. My "normal" vision problems during a major exacerbation are double vision proceeding until for all intensive purposes, I can't see or walk because everything around me is impossible to focus on. If I tax my eyes, especially staring at a computer screen... my vision will deteriorate, and then I would be well, useless, to especially my daughter who is much too young to be taking care of ME.
I tell you all this very personal information for one reason only: my vision was headed down that road again. WAS. I could see the changes starting in my peripheral vision of my left eye, the same side of my face that is being affected. It's a very scary feeling, knowing that within a few days it is very possible you won't be able to walk or see for a period of time. After this thread started however and your prayers found their way to me through God, the changes at the edges of my vision began to and are continuing to weaken. Your prayers are helping me ward off the more serious symptoms I would experience. And... I didn't start the infusion treatments at the hospital with I.V. solumedrol (steroids) until this morning (a series of delays until more tests could be run), so I know that your prayers buffered me with protection until I could get to the treatment that will also help treat my physical ailments.
For that alone, you all have me on my knees in grateful appreciation for the comfort you've given. Today, I feel a surge of hope and energy (steroids maybe, but that stuff doesn't make someone cry, right?).
I offer those prayers sent my way, sent back to you and yours one hundred-fold. If ever any of you need anything, you need only let me know and even if I can only offer an ear and a shoulder, you have it. That so many of you have cared enough to offer a simple prayer or kind thought for me and my family touches me more than I can express. Hard to believe, I bet, seeing this may be the most I have written on a thread on Free Republic in a good long time, but it's the honest truth, from my heart. My husband thanks you all so very much. And my little girl, well... she hasn't noticed anything wrong at all with my face. Aren't children wonderful in their innocence?
Thank you, thank you, thank you... With love and friendship to all of you wonderful people, who I am proud to consider "family"... and angels.
Best,
Genevieve
"Tell me what company thou keepst, and I'll tell thee what thou art."
- Miguel de Cervantes I