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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:16 pm Post subject: Hello
I do not have MS but am affected everyday by it. My wife of 12 years was diagnosed with MS over 17 years ago. By the time I had met her, she was already quite a few years into the Swank MS Diet and had gone through a few really rough years.
She has been blind 4 times, lost total feeling in almost every area of her body at one time or another, had bladder issues, had fatigue and dizziness issues and a host of other symptoms. For years we saw Dr. Swank and she stayed on the diet up until we moved into a Children's Home as house parents and she wasn't able to keep it up.
I am a research fanatic so I have looked into all sorts of treatments and therapies and we have found some that work and others that were a waste of time and money. We also worked for a Naturopathic Doctor for a couple of years and learned quite a bit from him. Now, we are pursuing a totally natural treatment of the disease and are still researching everyday as new facts and ideas come to light.
I have tried to share some of our victories and struggles through a blog I started a few months ago - mywifehasms.blogspot.com. We come across so many MS patients that need support and help, and we are trying our best to share so that others might glean some information out of it. I am excited about learning and sharing in this forum and look forward to talking with many of you. Have a blessed day! _________________
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 3405 Location: Mid-Michigan
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:06 pm Post subject:
Welcome to the site Cory, I'm glad you found us.
Like you my wife has MS although hers was diagnosed a little less than two years ago. Her only symptom so far has been the slurred speech which led to her diagnosis, although in hindsight it "seems" there were earlier clues.
I find it interesting that your wife was diagnosed 17 years ago and you were married 12 years ago. I suppose it's neither good nor bad, but maybe human nature that some people would run like the wind upon finding that a person they are dating has MS.
I look forward to conversing!
Bob _________________ Wife diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2006 and is a participant in the Tovaxin IIb clinical trial.
I would bet that you and I could have some good conversations. Yes, it is a little odd I guess about how I have handled the MS knowing from the start she had it. My first blog post was about that exact subject because it is really hard to read all the posts online where a spouse leaves because of the disease.
The night my wife told me about her MS, she used words very similar to what you just wrote. She had told past boyfriends and they usually wanted out of the relationship. It wasn't about the disease to me, it was about the woman. So, we have been happily married and have a 10 year old daughter that we couldn't be more blessed with.
There are definetely times when it is hard, but it always brings us closer together. A few years ago she was numb from her chest down for about a month. It was hard because she couldn't walk or get around and it hurt her that she couldn't be there for my daughter or me. We worked through it and it made us stronger as a family. I found a way to reverse the numbness and we were back to normal. So, yes, I have a different story I guess. I have tried to talk with other spouses to help them. It isn't easy being the spouse, especially if you have children.
Thanks for the post, and I look forward to the conversations too.
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 3405 Location: Mid-Michigan
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:21 pm Post subject:
Hi Cory,
I read through your blog and it seems that you have a good life and are working hard to keep it that way.
Although I'd desperately love not to have ever heard that MS diagnosis, I appreciate that so far my wife's MS has been so mild. Other than a trip to the emergency room and having the shit scared out of her by a diagnosis of MS, so far the disease literally plays no part in her life. I suppose that unless you get hammered right off the bat, everyone must go through this phase in which you hope against hope that the current situation lasts forever.
Bob _________________ Wife diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2006 and is a participant in the Tovaxin IIb clinical trial.
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