Topic : How I Fought My Illness

For many years I have had daily headaches and problems with balance, strength and double vision. In early 2003 I was finally diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which finally put a name on what was going on.

 

Later that year after a MRI on my neck and spine I found out I also had Thyroid Cancer. I had a total thyroidectomy in Oct. of 2003 and it has been a long road.

 

The surgery has caused me to be hypocalcemic because my remaining parathyroids will no longer regulate my calicum levels. So in addition to all my MS meds I have to take mega doses of Calcium daily in order to keep my levels decent.

 

I have had 2 rounds or RAI and just recently finished 8 weeks off my thyroid  meds prepping for a scan to see if I would have  to have more radiation. Luckily this time around I can out clean, so now it's wait until next year.

 

Along with all my health issues I became a grandma twice in the past 2 years, first in Sept. 2003 and again in September 2004. I was also forced to take a medical retirement from work and am now on disability. Did I mention I am only 38?

 

Every part of my life is stressful, because of all my running back and forth to the doctors and my problems caused by the health issues it's almost impossible for me to even take care of my grandkids.

 

I do try to keep an upbeat outlook on everything, after all things could be a lot worse.

 

I have something for you to hold on to that will make you so happy!

 

40's are the new 20's!  So you have to wait two more years before you become YOUNG again!!!!!

 

 

In my 20's I was OLD FAT and had old lady hair...

Now I am 41 sexy and pretty pretty hair.....Oh my gosh what does it feel like to be a GRANDMA...is it like a MOM but better or is it AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

 

 

Write back...Your a winner.....I can tell....I know these things!

Please dont be stressed!

   

I have scarcoidosis and it is destroying me and has destoryed my family.  

My wife wants a divorce, & at the time I need her the most with all the medcial tests I have been going through lately she just plain hates me.  

It is not my fault that I have this disease.  

It has affected my lungs and now possibly my heart.  

The medicine I am on makes me feel sick most of the time.  

God is my only support and hopefully someone out there does care.  

Because I can certainly use a friend in this adventure.  

gallbrq -- 

  

i hope that your case of sarcoidosis spontaneously resolves itself -- to my understanding, it sometimes does that within a few years.  maybe, if your wife has a chance to read up on it and talk with your doctor about it, she'll have more understanding and patience. 

  

it can also, as you well know, become a chronic disease that flares up periodically...  

  

the worse case scenario is probably what has you and your family ready to break... people do die of it -- but fewer and fewer [and FEWER!] as science progresses. 

  

are the medications helping with the inflammation/granulomas in your lung and heart?  there is no way that what you're going through right now can be anything but very scary!  so have faith... because odds are that it will get better and even resolve completely. 

  

it is an adventure, this life, isn't it?! 

  

as great as i think dr. phil's web site is, and computer communication in general -- i have found that when i have been really ill -- sometimes the computer is NOT the place for me to go.  real people, real sunshine, flowers, food... they might be better. [don't everyone pounce on me at once] be sure to get your information from a trustworthy source... 

  

and have a gentle talk with your wife... is it about your disease or about something else?  maybe seeing your pastor or a counselor would be helpful. 

  

i'll keep you in my thoughts -- 

For 14 years it began with pain in my arms, legs etc.  

My youngest daughter was 1 year old, I tought it had everything to do with the pregnancy, but a year later the pain was still there.......the doctor told me it was FM.  

3 years ago they gave me a wheelchair, my world was falling apart, I cryed  for days, my doctor send me into a rehacentre, and there I learned to handle the pain and saw the nice things in life again, made sports togehter, and now after these 2 years I dont use the wheelchair anymore....I learned to fight back...I work again, running everyday with my husband he has always support me in these difficult years,  I feel so good and I'am a happy woman again.  

it's wonderful how you fought the fibromyalgia, and won! 

  

how long did you stay in rehab and what sort of things did you do while there? 

  

take care! -- profderien 

Dear profderien,  

I was in rehab for 2 months, we worked in a group from 5 woman with fm.  

We learned to sport again,everyday again and differents sports untill we found something we liked and could do without pain, we talked about our problems and the pain but important we learned to say NO when we are in pain.  

important for our group was to accept the FM, we all said that we accepted it but when you are talking with others you see that accept an illness is very difficult.  

Take a  moment for yourself, everyday again, lay down on a bed and rest  with some nice musik...it works.  

  

We worked and learned from a book, after these 2 months I was an other person, I could laugh again, I wasn't afraid to sport again....I felt great.  

and still I feel good, must say I use some supplements and take a "diet" and it works.  

  

greetings from Holland,  

Karin  

  

Hope im in the right place, my nephew has recently been diagnosed with a very rare spinal disease, called idiopathic syringomyelia.  We live in Alberta Canada, this condition is very rare and confussing.  Im writting to Dr.Phil because i believe he has the answers and connections to so many things.  This is tearing our family apart.  We have faced many downfalls but never anything this unkown.  I am writting in desperation , any help, facts, please help. 

Hi there, 

I read your post.  Wow, girlfriend you have a full plate!!!!   I recently had my thyroid out and noticed you mentioned being hypocalcemic.  I am having calcium problems right after also.  Can you give me any info, tips or pointers on things you've learned since having the thyroid out???  I would really appreciate anything you can tell me!!!   

Thanks 

Karen