MS and Work - Realisation and Acceptance
Being a person with multiple sclerosis, I saw my MS consultant (Dr M E Duddy, whom I rate very highly) at the Newcastle RVI in November 2016 for my annual check. This was, what, my 10ish neurological consultation following my return to the North East 10 years ago. So, I went a bit prepared! Well, that’s being armed with some questions on paper and a pen! Stand back!
Without detailing what the questions were, they were of course mostly about me and ‘my’ MS and some of the effects I experience; and a request to see some MRI scan pictures!
I scribbled some answers to some questions at the time but afterwards I tried to put them into more of a mini-blog format (for my sake given the memory!) that I am going to share with you (not word-for-word).
I always enjoy seeing Dr Duddy for my personal knowledge of how my MS is progressing from a neurological perspective other than what I KNOW personally, and he’s a good bloke too.
I could see pictures of my most recent MRI scan on his monitors on the desk; that I do have an interest in, it’s my head after all. We talked about them and looked at the comparison of them in 2006 and 2016. The lesions are pretty much the same (in shape and size and where they are) but the colouring and swelling of them – wow. This displays a level of how active they are, I think:
- 2006 WHITE!
- 2016 A lighter shade of grey
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| My 1st MRI Scan 2006 |
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| 2016 MRI Scan. Similar scars but less active lesions (!?!) |
This change for the better (after 10 more years of the active condition) is, that I am thankful for, due to Tysabri magic juice! I have now only one year of this elixir as the risk factor of contracting PML is now weighing in at 1000:1, not 7000:1!
I cannot add much medical blurb to it, not being a doctor, but I have the first-hand living-with experience that he doesn’t! And there were many questions from him to get an understanding of the me and now. One of the hardest things for me is that I feel “I am not as ‘sharp’ as I once was” (something I have said for years). Now it is more prevalent. Which I hate.
During my discussions with Dr Duddy it was said that a function of the brain that does/CAN suffer post diagnosis is the ability to multi-task. Gender aside! Ahem! This is not something I have personally noticed – I am a whiz in the kitchen – singing (ha!) along to the radio as well as concocting monstrously hot curries, for example! But not as good in there I was years ago.
So work. That thing that has been my ‘functional desire’ for years. Well, in line with the multi-tasking effect, the mental and physical fatigue and others (a good laugh eh!?!), it seems that work is as good as a no-no, according to Dr Duddy. Strike me down!
However, he also said to just keep doing what I am doing but to slow down a bit (aaaargh!). This – slowing down – I find difficult.
It is a bit bizarre, however nicely he told me, that my working world is pretty finished, yet to continue with what I am doing with Momentum (namely, looking for work). I had mixed feelings when I arrived home, but got myself a gin and talked it through with Patricia (Ex, not real name). There was relief; looking for work without success for ten years has not been easy. Along the way I have felt angry, depressed and bitter that I went from being a successful engineer to not even being able to get a part time job. So understandably I felt a bit of shock that what I’d been putting myself through had after all been a waste of time. However, being of an optimistic disposition (most of the time!) I have learnt from my experience and wouldn’t wish to change it. So now I’m looking to the future. A different context in mind. My focus will now be to keep busy, keep being useful (volunteering etc), and keeping fit and healthy as best I can. As well as making time for things/people I love of course.
That is my MS consultation bleep, for more of the ‘work’ blog, please go to that chapter - coming soon!!!
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