MS, a riddle wrapped up inside an enigma
MS is a riddle wrapped up inside an enigma, and one with an international twist.
I was born in Belgium but 2,5 years after emigrating to Ireland, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But, where did it begin? Belgium with its overload of industrial, chemical air pollution or did it start in Ireland?
Truth is, it matters not. Twenty-one years on this hallowed island of saints and scholars, life just goes on.
Regardless of how incomprehensible and unfair any neurodegenerative illness is, describing MS as anything less would be an injustice to the magnificent power of human anatomy and the endurance of physical strength.
MS and I share a common denominator of perseverance until we defeat each other. Neither of us knows where it’ll lead to. MS may have superior knowledge about oligoclonal bands; cerebrospinal fluid; the blood-brain barrier; Dawson’s fingers and so on, but that’s where it ends.
So, let it be a thought in the back of your mind when you are waiting for a diagnosis or when you just heard that you will have this wretchedness taking over part of your life: you will always have a great stick behind the door to protect yourself: your treatment plan.
The underhanded digs will keep coming at first, no matter which medication you’re on or how many hours of sleep you will get trying to sleeping it off. Stay on course with your treatment plan, give yourself space to make mistakes and for goodness sake, treat yourself when you trip, when you forget, when you feel you can’t go on.
But, do know that you will always be you no matter how many white spots are found on your MRI scans. You will always be real, pure, intelligent and strong. Be forgiving if you must, be blatant with your peers if they doubt you.
Just be you.
◾ Everyday Health: Top 10 MS Blogs to Follow in 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018
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◾ MyTherapy: Multiple Sclerosis Blogs: 10 of the Best in 2019
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◾ Ireland Blog Awards: Finalist 2014, 2015, 2017; Winner 2018 (Awards competition discontinued since)
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©Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me, 2011-2023. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me with appropriate and specific direction to the original content
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One Comment
MsHazyBrain
Yes, it seems we’re at constant war with each other.