Networking is a miracle. The reality of chatting with someone on the other side of the planet earth goes beyond explanation.
In Multiple Sclerosis, we face a world of several unknowns. Why did we get it, and how do we get better? Will I get worse and when? How can I prevent any worsening? Then comes CCSVI. A new procedure that offers improvement to patients with Multiple Sclerosis shows a new way to treat this disease.
Jess is a smart woman. She married her high school sweetheart, they had a child and everything pointed to a happy life. Jess is an excellent teacher who specialized in helping children and families with ADHD. She helped the kids, but her best work came in helping the parents. Parents who loved their children and could not understand what was going on with their kids.
One day she was diagnosed with MS. Her health crashed and she began to use a walker. Her husband gave up on helping her. The divorce devastated Jess. She moves back to her parent’s house. She loves her parents, but moving to there represented defeat to her.
The court system dealt another blow to Jess when they awarded custody to her husband.
Her husband who left her as MS ravaged her body. Everything looked lost.
Chicago is a tough city. Despite being blonde and one of soft touch with children, Jess is a fighter. Through a contact made on the Internet, Jess found out about CCSVI. What did she have to lose? The surgeon was assembling a study on the effects of CCSVI and needed more patients. Jess eagerly joined the study group. She would have accepted being first, but her doctor told her she was the 42nd patient he was to perform the sugary on.
Excited, she looked up CCSVI on Facebook. Jess looked to get a surgery done on her body. She knew nothing about it. Then she found me.
Jess wrote me every excited email about her countdown to liberation and how it was going to fix everything. Her walk would improve. She had issues with her fingers. Jess wanted to know how soon everything got fixed for her.
I told her I aimed for improvements. CCSVI was a treatment, but not a cure. I told her some people got the procedure and saw very little improvement. Jess was disappointed, but appreciated someone discussing outcomes realistically.
The procedure went great, and Jess waited for the miracle improvement. It did not feel that much better. I talked her through the days in chat and occasional phone call. She just needed coaching up.
Realize how shattered Jess’s life had become. No prospect for work, Husband gone, takes child. Divorce final, and living with her parents. And the procedure had zero instant improvements. I reminded her that we are not microwaves and that improvement takes time.
Yesterday, thanks to hard work and patience, Jess is walking better. For the first time in over a year, her pinky finger is working.
Today she got her nails done. And walked all over the salon without her cane or walker. Her complaint was a fear of street curbs. Those who know my writing, may recall that curbs and stairs have been my evil adversary. But she walked everywhere without her walker.
Little things mean a lot.
Today she will play with her son after school
Life is not all rainbows and chocolates, but it is getting better.
Power to the people.
Power to the cure.
Pray we all improved every day.