My Story in a Nutshell

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in late 2012 beginning with blurry vision. That's the only symptom I had until I was given high dose corticosteroids and it backfired badly. I was an athletic 24 year old who had never had a  serious illness and in 2 weeks, I lost 15 pounds, became so fatigued i would get out of bed only a few times a day to eat and also had worsening weakness in my arms and legs.  This was the start of a journey for me. Early 2013 was characterized by a lot of physical healing with exercise and diet and other things. I became more spiritual, talking to my grandfather who'd passed. I also realized the importance of hope and how helpful it is to smile.  I put on a lot of muscle in the healing process during the next 5 months and was 15 pounds heavier than prior to the diagnosis. Feeling very confident and accomplished, I had no idea, I was going to get sicker than ever before. In late 2013, I had a dental procedure in which a bone graft was implanted and became rejected. I missed 9 months of Physical Therapy school and had to live with my parents for most of that time. I never lost the ability to run. My weakness was never that severe although I was limited to running for only a few minutes at times due to shin splints/calf strains after the 1st illness and limited to running about 25 feet at times due to cardiac symptoms or malaise the 2nd time. No severe weakness, but I did multiple infections and was very toxic. My physical low point was when I had symptoms of a brainstem lesion beginning on January 6th 2014. I was unable to sleep through the night without cardiac symptoms or breathing difficulty from January until mid April. My turning point from my lowest physical state was Feb 4th 2014 when I woke up gasping for air and a weak heartbeat, feeling like I had hours maybe? to live, my biggest regret was thinking I would pass away and not be able to spread the MS/health research I found. I posted it on facebook and apologized that I thought I was going to be able to beat this thing and... so many people prayed for me and sent me well wishes. Something inside me felt so much better. It lifted me up. Something spiritual and mental. Just about every week since April 2014 has been better physically than the week before. The second bout with illness really highlighted the importance of hope, friendship, emotional well-being, patience, and helping others. One major takeaway I have from it is seeing us all as one. All of us on the Earth and even beyond. And seeing others as yourself. Treating them as you'd like to be treated, especially those in need, and also others.  I will admit, despite my physical success,  and the spiritual lessons, I have suffered from depression and loneliness since the 2nd illness until currently which is December 2015. I think I know so much, but I don't have all the answers. Sometimes I believe if I could help other people the way i've been helped, then I'd feel better. Maybe that's the thing that's missing.  To be continued....