Tackling MS Works For Me

So, several years back my SIL, Hubby's sister, was diagnosed with MS. She is an ER doctor and knew that something was wrong based on a simple tingling in her hands when she was reaching above her head to get something out of the cabinet. I cannot imagine. I cannot imagine how long my hands would be tingling before I even casually mentioned it to my husband let alone went to see a doctor.

And then that moment. The moment when the doctor says "You have MS." I cannot even imagine what it might feel like. Truthfully, before SIL was diagnosed I didn't really know about MS. And now I only know a little. I only know what the non-diagnosed can know. I do not know what it is REALLY like. The definition on the National MS Society's website is:

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.

At this point SIL has not had any major symptoms. Well, not that I know of. Not that is evident.I do not ask. I mean really what would I say? "Hey, SIL. Are you getting sicker?" Of course not. She has two small children and there is no cure. She goes through life with the fear that she never knowing when her disease will prgoress. When her children will lose the mother they know. Not necessarily from death but to the disease. Eventually she will become disabled. Eventually she will not be able to walk, or talk or who knows how bad it will get before it kills her. And there is no cure. There is treatment. Treatment that can slow down the progression. The point of slowing it down is both to make life better for those with the disease and to hold it off long enough for researchers to find a cure.

So, Hubby, Big Brother, Baby Sister and I have joined a team to walk in support of MS and to raise money for research and developing of a cure. I pray every night that a cure comes about. I pray that SIL's progression is snail pace slow. I pray that we never see any progression. I want all the best for SIL. TheCousins deserve their mom. And they deserve her at her best.

Now comes the part where I ask for your help. I would be so grateful if you would consider sponsoring the team we are walking with. The walk is through the National MS Society and you can make a donation by clicking on the donation button below, or in my sidebar. The walk is in May and I will have the button to donate in my sidebar until the day of the walk. Whether you can or cannot doante I would really appreciate it if you would keep SIL and theCousins in your prayers.

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