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My symptoms, diagnosis, and process. Demanding Self-Awareness, Self-Accountability, and Self-Advocation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1591828238752-B8ZHKU9YYJ7LWUWJWHKH/92ED0DAD-B9DF-4596-9CE7-0D6EE0E06039.JPG Home - Self-Advocating. Your health is your privilege and right to stand up for. Self-Advocating for your needs, wants, your life and your future is crucial throughout this journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1591918109069-DD4Z6A4K219TAAFI2548/182C2664-DEF6-4BAE-8B13-F524BF6D0485.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1591918466742-OAGCBSBBIYQE73QON6EY/image-asset.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1591828468003-RSA1F2OD8KRIZI7ABR9P/DEB2E1E6-410A-4CAE-865E-2703ADEF26DE.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1591919819761-FZKN3IG1YM32DJO3ND1E/Screen+Shot+2020-06-11+at+7.46.31+PM.png Home Consistent Progression https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1591919552804-LA9D9CXW4B274DLIIXF9/Screen+Shot+2020-06-11+at+7.52.02+PM.png Home Relapses and Recovery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1591919600602-Y9KYYQI697GMNYE1KNRK/Screen+Shot+2020-06-11+at+7.46.31+PM.png Home Progression & Relapse ongoing with periods of no symptoms. https://www.mymsedupjourney.com/inspiration daily 0.75 2020-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592005598609-I8QR26KZ1C07GJ65KSLT/IMG_9961.jpg Inspiration - “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” — Margaret Thatcher https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003246167-FDGSJK754EYLPS0I1KFQ/25C8C9F9-9B66-4C89-BFD2-DED1E6F77DBA.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003253086-9CJKTG7A3ABUP6N0YY8D/182C2664-DEF6-4BAE-8B13-F524BF6D0485.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003407512-L742DHSEP7CRJ7YMRJFA/71158FAF-9DA5-447A-99B7-CE7A5F8C7AAB.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003429863-GKGR3OKHYN751EEEFANX/0834BAF8-60E6-4CFB-9192-FD0A7EA16934.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003723202-W8NYNJFAUQBP6I51K1EE/IMG_6622.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003705935-VM8WSYZ9LLLTVM884QNI/IMG_6621.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003720906-SMN0G6BZRWMEHT0GPVCG/IMG_6620.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592004132623-4GY0NHFE91ON4SSDI1Z1/Screen+Shot+2020-06-12+at+7.21.45+PM.png Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592003686417-ORHAAJR56TTSASCWX1MP/IMG_4443.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592004195283-DSP8OK5AZHIFRFCBM1BQ/Screen+Shot+2020-06-12+at+7.23.04+PM.png Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592006337977-SYY9MN5L6VS2MXC44N1W/DEB2E1E6-410A-4CAE-865E-2703ADEF26DE.JPG Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592011037741-WC51KALOYMTKWDM6Q8UQ/IMG_3328.jpeg Inspiration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592011076933-OPLOKMAIXC48579BJ8L3/IMG_0026.jpeg Inspiration https://www.mymsedupjourney.com/faqs daily 0.75 2020-08-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592141367368-26LCYR0UDNEF81N71DSP/image-asset.jpeg FAQ's - Who can get MS? Unfortunately for me, it’s mostly diagnosed in caucasian, females, aged 25-35, with a family history of auto-immune diseases. However, the disease does not discriminate agains gender, age, ethnicity, race, or geography. The ratio is estimated at 1 male to 3 or 4 females with MS. It is typically seen in individuals 25-55, but can be found across all age groups from child to elderly. Worldwide, more than 2.3 million of 7.594 billion people have been diagnosed with MS. (0.03%) In The United States, an estimated 1 million out of the 331 million people are living with a diagnosis of MS. (0.302%) ——————————- Unrelated, yet fun fact: A person's chances of getting attacked by a shark is 1 in 11.5 million, (0.000009%) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592141271374-JFC5Q9IJO8PN9GQS8ILG/image-asset.jpeg FAQ's - Most Common Symptoms? Cognitive difficulties: Memory loss, attention and concentration issues, difficulty processing information, trouble planning and prioritizing, and verbal fluency issues (like word recall). Vision problems: potential blurred vision, loss of normal color vision, blindness in one eye, a dark spot in the field of vision, double vision, and uncontrolled eye movements or “jumping vision.” Fatigue: Extreme exhaustion. It is the feeling that your legs can’t support you, and your muscle, bones, eyelids, and toenails HURT. Your bodies need for rest cannot be ignored. Heat sensitivity: High temperatures make it harder than it already is for demyelinated nerve cells to conduct electrical signals. Many people with MS may experience a temporary worsening of MS symptoms when exposed to heat or dealing with a fever. Bowel and bladder problems: Symptoms of bladder dysfunction may include incontinence; having to urinate frequently, urgently; and the inability to empty your bladder completely. Bowel problems may include constipation and diarrhea. Pain: People with MS may feel things like sharp stabbing facial pain. Burning, aching, and tingling “pins and needles” are also common around the body. Chronic back and musculoskeletal pain may be experienced as a result of walking problems and/or muscle spasticity. Motor problems: Stiff muscles and spasms, or sudden involuntary movements, also known as spasticity, are common. Trouble with walking is also common in people with MS. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592140651981-F8ATYS7NJ992C3LTYESA/UNPREDICTABLE.jpg FAQ's - How do you get diagnosed? Everyones experience and diagnosis process is different. Blood work. MRI’s of the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord are a must. A spinal tap is a likely expectation to validate the Oligoclonal bands in the spinal fluid. All of these building a baseline and a case for the assumed diagnosis. The fastest way to get diagnosed is likely the most traumatizing. An emergency hospitalization due to a massive relapse with severe motor skill, visual, and/or functionality losses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592140579374-6LU8A72ZY9KYK2CNOZOL/Unpredictable-Work-Hours-hero1.jpg FAQ's - What does a future with MS look like? Time stands still. And yet it is a complete blur. My future is full of possibilities and unknowns. Same as everyone else’s. Only difference is that I have a name to the monsters under my bed and the nightmares in my head. I could argue that my future has a clearer and more realistic road ahead than those living in a bubble with an invisibility complex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592866634198-JYPJM2ZAH3T871M64GO9/IMG_4759.jpg FAQ's - How would you describe what you’re feeling? You look fine to me… ———————> Points to photo…. - Every person with a chronic illness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592789788308-U6VOD7TN20UYO0TISIG7/IMG_6648.jpg FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592789788135-KB5STAXL5ASS0T2FAEX9/IMG_6650.jpg FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592789788189-HRVS1NP63Z06D8GMVVBZ/IMG_6647.jpg FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592789788249-HBWTCYZN9D8TI7BVZSVX/IMG_6649.jpg FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592789817334-0HILDCD3VXU915LI6SSG/IMG_6651.jpg FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865596798-4EA60C2PXS7CO743L7E2/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.35.05+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865591315-1CNN0DDUQRNK4SISTRIZ/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.38.49+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865591128-XPZ5009NYEDM7KWNZ51F/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.38.42+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865590992-00K9F2TS23QB4FTUWPYB/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.38.29+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865590827-RW67KQSKRIU5Z8GV2QVG/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.38.22+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865591240-W18I2XM35ABGZHMW8Z8D/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.38.11+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865598291-CZ8Z937GVJSYMFKWM5BR/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.38.03+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865598454-K9PAUGE70F8SWNZIW90Z/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.37.51+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865599217-5DB3GTSS4O9PNZ972XGV/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.37.43+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865598644-P11OYD776JGV6CWSPWQ8/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.37.33+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865599823-7VSWD9KPE0H443S59SFY/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.37.24+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865603517-JPVFASC4R71BCCL8XAXU/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.37.14+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865604018-LPYA8RGTR7V0FOQ6FHH9/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.37.02+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865604271-XI5K4HN924ULUTNR6WTE/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.36.48+PM.png FAQ's More Great Illustrations of MS: https://positivewithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592865604442-ZLA73YTCROP4166XOA6T/Screen+Shot+2020-06-22+at+6.36.36+PM.png FAQ's https://www.mymsedupjourney.com/healthcaresystem daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592742567648-2T4OXTCEKH6IU1LY5IHI/image-asset.jpeg Navigating the Healthcare System - The US Healthcare System has failed us. The medical healthcare system is an abyss of process, follow ups, billing questions, and “missing information” that requires a PH.D to navigate with any level of skill and effectiveness. Just in the first 6 months of my chronic illness management alone, I have seen 6 doctors, at 4 separate hospitals, received 17 separate bills, been mis-billed 9 times, made 36 phone calls (Dr’s, providers, insurance, etc), and had to reschedule my appointments due to “system errors” 5 times. Most days I feel taken advantage of and ignored as I attempt to self-advocate through the fragmented and muddy flow of the healthcare system. Balancing all of the intricacies is quickly becoming an art form that even Picasso could respect. My only hope is to unpack the balance, processes, best practices, and establish a trusted comfort level in ones own ability to manage their health & wealth without requiring a miracle or a PHD. https://www.mymsedupjourney.com/my-purpose daily 0.75 2020-06-27 https://www.mymsedupjourney.com/my-support-team daily 0.75 2024-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592691966700-S8FUMQN6JIZ6GQZNTGPE/IMG_9425.jpg My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592681563912-BYIMFFS90LV0OYQTBISL/image-asset.png My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592681441990-FFDXJ88AOF8389049NQ9/IMG_6765.JPG My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592681592539-C913YOI1GCK27DSR4N1G/IMG_6767.JPG My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592681610269-UDC0BWF9N2FHMABIPFXH/IMG_6768.JPG My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592692140905-ECJ0P9WE5V9QF46UGKH6/IMG_6770.jpg My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592681667956-NBYW4MY8TT1ROKH2QZME/IMG_0311.JPG My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592694370100-JW6ERBYC5ULM14LTV9OE/Screen+Shot+2020-06-20+at+7.05.38+PM.png My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592694899828-LV1SCYX6XJFC955JLENY/FE4BC372-C538-4462-9CDC-523EA3B63B82.jpg My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592697403612-0BFG4II7CXUBH6GB2U17/IMG_5DAB3199DA4B-1.jpeg My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1592694571953-K9WAAJZZIDYGXYU5HHQI/IMG_6771.jpg My Support Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed3e4946533665d5be2a468/1593278558899-I038SPSC6O4GFMDFPIX5/Screen+Shot+2020-06-27+at+1.20.41+PM.png My Support Team