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MY STORY
My world abruptly changed in 1997. Right before Thanksgiving, my 31st birthday…and not to mention 7 months before my wedding! In November of '97, I suffered from a flu like condition that I finally decided to schedule an appointment to see my family doctor. I endured sever and VERY strange headaches. My doctor prescribed 3 different pain medications attempting to control the painful headaches, but to no avail, they continued. He ultimately sent me to have a Cat Scan (CT) of my head (brain). Soon after one morning I was driving to work and experienced the most horrific pain travel down the left side of my face into my neck. The whole episode lasted approximately 10 minutes. I managed to pull my car over without causing a wreck and/or wrecking my vehicle. I phoned David from my cell phone and told him where I was as I tried to explain the feeling I was experiencing. I also called 911. I then realized that I could NOT feel the left side of my body, AT ALL! I was terrified! The ambulance took me to the Emergency Room. The doctor on duty asked me what was wrong, I explained the symptoms, he then told me I was having an anxiety attack – “here” he said, take this valium and you'll walk out of here within 2 hours. Eight hours later, I had now been wheeled to the hallway to make room for "other" patients. I patiently waited for the Neurologist on duty that afternoon to pay me a visit. After his observation/evaluation I was admitted into the hospital. I was told by a nurse they thought I had suffered a stroke.
I was thinking I am ONLY 30 years old!
Two weeks later, after tons of testing, MRI’s, more CT scans, spinal taps, blood tests, physical and occupational therapy…I was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and released from the hospital walking with the assistance of a walker. I was hospitalized in an inpatient physical/occupational therapy program for two weeks. I left there walking (with a cane but again I was walking). I continued with my outpatient therapy. I had BIG dreams and bigger expectations for myself. My husband and I were getting married in a few months. I was determined to be walked down the isle by my father (without the assistance of a walker).
It wasn’t until early 2000 that I was finally diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I now bear “invisible symptoms”. I have about 75% of feeling on my left side. I am left with the feeling of pins and needles/and a tight rubber band in my hand and foot. That is accompanied with fatigue and my feelings of being unstable/wobbliness. At times I suffer with the confusion of hot/cold and blunt/sharp on the LEFT side of my face and body. I also occasionally suffer from migraines. This diagnosis has left my neurologist a bit confused.
I hope this brief journey into our road traveled with this disease gives you some insight to why David and I are so passionate about doing what we do and also in our pursuit along with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society find a cause and a cure for this dreaded and debilitating disease.
Help us to HIT IT HARD, just like David used to do on the football field!
Judy Fulcher |
