It Doesn't Have Me

I made an off hand remark on Twitter the other night and I was surprised at the amount of responses I had. That's when I realized that most people don't even know it about me.

I never talk about it. Hell, I rarely even think about it.

One reason is that I don't want pity. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I don't waste time feeling sorry for myself. I'll be fine.

But, I said something along the lines of "Ticking off time before my son goes to bed. I have to give myself an injection. Would rather he not know I have MS."

Like I said, I just don't think much about it. But, I do know I want my children to be spared from knowing anything too soon. With them, it's more I don't want them to worry. Buddy knows I have a "condition", but we've never specifically talked about it.

I don't have any problems. I have an MRI every two years. In fact, I was at my neurologist office today for my twice yearly check up and my MRI will be scheduled soon.

They just look at my brain to see if there are more lesions or a change in activity. So far, there have been no changes since my base line.

I was diagnosed in 2000. Since then, I have been on once a day injectable med called Copaxone. It's a sub-cutaneous injection, which means it just goes right under the fat layer.

I have several injection sites that I rotate during the week and yes, I do my own injections. I don't mind.

The only times I have not done a daily injection in the last 9 years was the 39 weeks I was pregnant with Sissy.

Oh, no....During that time, I had to do TWO injections a day of Lovenox, which is a blood thinner (I also have a blood clotting disorder that makes me more likely to have a miscarriage and also a stroke - I'm taking a baby aspirin every day the rest of my life for that). But, during my pregnancy I had to do the 2 shots a day - just in my stomach.

I was black and blue - bruises you would not believe!

And, then after she was born, I did 6 weeks of one blood thinner shot a day post partum to make sure I didn't throw a blood clot.

While I was nursing her, I got a break from the Copaxone, so I had about a 3 month "needle free" zone in the last 9 years.

So far, I only experience some mild fatigue from the MS. I am a VERY lucky person! I was lucky enough to be diagnosed quickly and I'm lucky enough to be diagnosed in an era where there are many treatment options available (no cure yet, but treatable!). So, I count my blessings.

And, get ready for the next needle.