2 YEAR UPDATE
2 years ago, on January 4, 2020, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (RR-MS). At the time I was in a constant state of stress, anxiety and exhaustion.
I was commuting 3+ hours to work per day
I was working 60-80 hours per week
I had not built a supportive community to rely on
I had no healthy outlets for stress relief
I was still battling an eating disorder
I had a plan/controlled ideal over everything
I was struggling with (undiagnosed) anxiety
We were planning a move back to DC
I was on the brink of a cataclysmic implosion….
I had already been having MS relapses over the previous few months... Vertigo, slurred speech, loss of feeling in my legs, constant ringing in my ears, mind fog, extreme fatigue, the list goes on…. So by the time I got the diagnosis it was a relief.
My diagnosis demanded change and a reset. It begged me to take stock of my life, my goals, and my next steps in order to just survive let along thrive through whatever lie ahead. I remember those early days and how angry I was. I was so mad at my body for betraying me, but it turns out I was betraying it. I had put myself through hell trying to keep up a standard/act and it made me pay for it. Rightfully and gratefully so, I paid.
MS didn’t ask me if I had time to care for myself or if I even wanted to find any/more balance in life. Your health and wellness don’t have to ask permission for you to give a crap about yourself. You have to choose. You have a choice to give up or give it all you’ve got. After a brief, if not ultimately dramatic, pity party… I chose the latter. I chose to give myself, my MS, and my life everything I have and then some. No holding back, unapologetically, and completely all-in.
Vegan - Whole foods, plant based (since May 2017)
Gluten Free (since August 2020)
2 Walks per day (11,000 steps)
Limiting processed foods
Working max. 50 hours per week
New MS Dr., care team and treatment
Weekly mental health therapy sessions
Building a strong community for support and accountability
Working out in a healthy way while managing food/stress properly
Monthly physical therapy
Annual check list for scans and tests to keep myself accountable
Moved back to DC with new goals and boundaries and supports
Every choice I made. Every change I had to make. Every little building block I put in place to build a better me with a stronger future… has paid off. I have no regrets. If only I had learned these coping skills and made these changes sooner…
The what if’s aren’t worth it, but the things I have learned are priceless.
MY MS’ed Up UPDATE: My brain and spine are looking beautiful these days. My treatment and lifestyle choices are working… to the point that my Dr seemed shocked by how great my brain is looking. I have had no new lesions in the 15 months. September 2020 was my last relapse / new lesion identified. I still have some pain / tingling / MS issues from time to time but they are minor and manageable if I listen and respond accordingly.
My brain is not only “not getting worse”, but it is HEALING. Through the power of prayer and healthy lifestyle and time… my brain is rebuilding the gaps that were previously made from old lesions. I had 8 lesions last year… this year I have 7…. I thought maybe it was a glitch or scan error, but the Dr. said that sometimes they heal and repair and reduce… She is shocked but said to keep doing whatever it is that I am doing lately. My brain and spine are looking better than ever lately. PTL!
I have an infusion treatment every 6 months and MRI scans 1 - 2 times per year. I check in with my Dr. every few months. It’s an incredible feeling to know that the choices / sacrifices I willingly and happily make are worth it. I know it isn’t that easy for everyone and that it may not always be that simple for my MS’ed up Journey but my faith in the process and in God tells me that I am in great hands no matter what.
Cheers to 2022. May we have a healthy, happy, healing, and safe 2022.
Charlotte Raejole