Here’s a timeline of my MS journey so far:
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 – I started experiencing depth-perception issues on my right side, along with feeling “off-center”. My main symptom was having issues typing with my right hand. I also couldn’t think clearly.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 – I went to the urgent care and was sent to the emergency room. I spent my first night in the hospital. This visit included having my heart monitored, my first CT scan, and my first ever MRI. I was also tested repeatedly for having a stroke. I think this was the first time I cried because I was scared to death. As a bonus, I had my blood drawn multiple times, and it took the ER staff three tries to get the IV hooked up. Did I mention I don’t like needles? The biggest takeaway from this day was that I had a spot on the left side of my brain that was impacting the right side of my body.
Thursday, July 3, 2025 – I started the day off by being awakened by a neurosurgeon who told me to stop being in denial about my symptoms. He wasn’t wrong, but his bedside manner kind of sucked. Fortunately, he also told me he was bowing out because they didn’t believe it was a tumor. This was the second time I cried. The fun activities for the day were a lumbar puncture where they drew fluid out of my spine, a second MRI for my neck/spinal cord, more blood drawn, and my first round of steroids (1000mg of Solumedrol) via IV for the spot on my brain.
Friday, July 4, 2025 – Received my second round of steroids via IV. I was also released from the hospital after two nights.
Saturday, July 5, 2025 – Took my third round of steroids via 25 pills. Swallowing 25 pills was not fun, and they tasted horrible. Fortunately, one of the doctors told me to take them with milk. That helped.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 – I was officially diagnosed with MS at the neurologist’s office. We had a very thorough visit where she walked my wife and me through everything and answered our questions. I had a good cry during this visit, too. It’s scary talking with a neurologist about pictures of your brain with a spot on it. She told me that I would have to start taking medication and my options there. We also met with a nurse navigator, and I had more blood drawn for labs.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 – The neurologist’s office called to tell me that my blood tests revealed that I needed to start taking Vitamin B12 (over-the-counter).
Friday, July 11, 2o25 – The neurologist’s office called to tell me that my blood tests also revealed that I had Vitamin D2 deficiency, so I had to start taking a prescription once a month.
Tuesday, July 23, 2025 – I visited an eye doctor because I needed a Posterior Segment OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). I had to explain multiple times that it was requested by my neurologist. The test is to look at the nerves behind your eyes. I believe it’s so they can set a baseline before starting medication.
I also posted about my MS diagnosis on Facebook and LinkedIn. It was crazy how many people reached out. I also talked to an old friend that I grew up with that has MS. It was therapeutic talking with someone else about it who has been through it.
