The Silver Lining: One Small Symbol, One Huge Difference

I just heard from my HR department. My portion of the bill for my infusion treatment is $20, not 20%. This news seems too good to be true, so I'm a little skeptical, but still...it does not look like I'll have to suspend treatment.

My Black Cloud

In 2006, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or MS. I had heard of this disease, but knew nothing about it. I have since learned that really is more of a symptom than a disease -- tiny little scars on the nerve membranes of the brain and spinal cord. These scars are evidence that something in your body went wrong and nerve damage is the result. Exactly what nerves are damaged, and to what extent, is highly individualized. I'm certain there are many causes just as there are many "cures." The trick is figuring out yours.

When the problems began I was troubled by how omnipresent it was. I thought about it ALL the time, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The symptoms weren’t terribly acute, but they were so pervasive that I rarely would get a mental break. Besides, I am a worrier and that didn’t help.

By October 2007, problems with my eyesight, voice, and energy levels were interfering enough with my profession that I went on medical leave.

So there you have it. That is my “black cloud.” However, there are a lot of “silver linings” and I continue to feel that despite this challenge, I am one of the most blessed men alive. So why blog? Actually, I have another blog that chronicles funny thoughts and happy experiences, but only lightly touches on my illness. (There is a link to that site below.) The purpose of this blog is to share more directly how I am doing physically and emotionally. I hope it will help allay concern of family and friends that don’t see me often. Sure, it still dramatically affects me, but there are signs of improvement in some areas.

The Silver Lining

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

One Small Symbol, One Huge Difference

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My Black Cloud

Link to my happy blog

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