"So there's something like a worm eating your brain, and making it hard to walk?" So now I know I need to work on how I explain details to my children. The fact is that I don't exactly know what is going on in my brain, but for some reason certain muscles in my left leg aren't able work right so that I can't lift my leg when walking. The best explanation I have found after much testing is that my immune system has been signaled wrongly by something to build scar tissue in my brain and/or spinal cord that keeps instructions in my brain from making it to my leg for some reason. More testing needs to be done, but for now we are calling it a "multiple sclerosis-type disorder". The good news is that I am usually not in pain, it seems to be limited to my left leg, and my balance is still perfect. My symptoms began a year ago with some mild weakness and numbness in my left leg with some muscle spasms. The weakness and spasms cleared up after a few weeks, but the numbness remained. In late September this year I started to have pronounced weakness in my left leg which eventually progressed to where it is now that I need a cane to walk without tripping. I had a spinal tap and MRIs that showed inconclusive results so I now have appointments at other medical centers for a more comprehensive evaluation. If this is MS (multiple sclerosis) the symptoms may go away for a time, but some types of MS slowly progress with new disabilities appearing from time-to-time with no improvement in my symptoms. The future is uncertain and frightening, but I am glad for my present. I can still walk (although I look pathetic doing it), I can still work full-time, I have a wonderful and supportive wife, and many wonderful friends. That's where I am right now. When you see me with my cane know that I am grateful to be here. I don't know why my brain is short-circuited, but I am glad I can be here now!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment