Part 3

In July we started the (this) journey of considering how and when to have children someday. In August we were full steam ahead trying to figure out the timeline-roadmap combination with what MS + previous medical combinations would require. Previous opinions had suggested we had MAX 2-years to have kids, or not have them at all given my treatment plan / their strategy.

Now… It’s September and we are throwing EVERYTHING OUT of the window. Winding roads ahead is right! Call it a rollercoaster, or a massive shift in plan… either way you swerve the car, we are relieve with what my new care-team has in store for us.

Thank you Lord, my MS continues to be calm and peaceful. No symptoms since July, and feeling very much “healthy”. I continue to put my health, wellness, and treatments first. Focusing on what is within my control in order to manage my stress & anxiety levels.

In August, I met MY MS SPECIALIST. MY NEW DR. PERSON. MY MS’ed UP JOURNEY’S TAXI DRIVER. She is incredible. She is perfect for me. She drank the Charlotte juice. She gets the jokes. She read the script.. She is ready to change the way my previous doctors are treating me & my MS. It is personal now. It is about Charlotte Raejole, the whole person.. Charlotte the vegan, who works out 6 days a week, loves walking 5 miles a day, enjoys cooking, works as a project manager, & has a passion for nature…. NOT Cminich, Patient #4532a-RR-MS.

SHE SAW ME. ALL OF ME. SHE GOT ME. That is all I ask for in someone I have to put my entire hope for my future in. SEE ME. KNOW ME.

With my new Dr. and care team I am a whole person. A complete human with a past, present, and FUTURE. I have goals, and dreams and fears. All of which my care team took the time to hear, appreciate, notate, and assess along with my treatment plans. Making sure that we assess feasibility, timing, adjustments, and modifications NOT removals or inabilities. All of my needs & wants had a place in my future in this dr’s treatment plans.

So here we go. CHANGE IN PLANS. Rather than be forced to rush into parenthood immediately due to the current medications and previously prescribed treatment plans… we are going to change the way we are viewing my MS, and start TREATING IT HEAD ON. ALL IN. FULL FORCE. NO HOLDS BAR.

What was initially a mad-dash to parenthood because my brain & medical clock were ticking… is now a well managed fully understood, complete treatment plan that allows us to take our time, reduce stress, and adjust the risk profile favorably. WOW… ****exhales deeply"*** Turns out getting a 3rd opinion is the charm.

With the shift in treating my MS, now adding the lens of “ my next 50 years” on, we can say we have minimum 12 months before we should consider kids, and the potential to have them without complication for the next 3-5 years. Imagine the relief that there is time ADDED to my maternal clock, and I don’t have to sacrifice anything at this time.

There are always risks. Either way you cut the cake, we have to adjust & adapt. Except in this case, my risk profile, stress, anxiety, and future are all well preserved and safe guarded under a treatment plan lead by the right care-team.

…. All of the previous steps are done now… all still relevant & necessary in getting us to this point. Nothing was a waste of time. The only thing next is to trust my care team and treatment plan to take us through the next 2-50 years.

Step 7: Get results of 9 month scans on 9/10. Put full trust & faith in my new care team. More updates to come on my treatment shift and the next part of the adventure soon!

The next phase of this journey now has more to do with setting me & Anthony up for our next 50 years, rather than just my next 2-3 years. I am so blessed by the shift in strategy. It is a blessing to see & feel the vision & acceptance of my doctor, the approach she is willing to take, and my trust / faith in her to take my case on completely & without reservation.

As I left the doctors office in late August I sobbed. Not from fear or anger or stress. Out of pure relief. I now have a doctor that I trust with my future. Someone to drive the ship I am riding on. Someone who has full knowledge and empowerment to take me where I need and want to go. A doctor that I can truly say is prepared to drive this taxi as we pave the roads ahead together.

“The Road to Parenthood” is about to allow for a rest area, and a coffee break.

Charlotte Raejole