While I was backpacking in Banff National Park in August 2024, I experienced decreased vision in my left eye. With each passing day, it was as if another layer of grey tissue paper was placed in that eye’s field of view. At its worst, I could only see outlines of people/objects and detect movement. I could not tell you any details of your face if you were sitting in front of me and my right eye was closed. Yet, I was not THAT worried. I had experienced something similar in the past in both eyes and it was a simple allergic reaction to something in the outside environment.
Fast forward to January 2025 and I meet the new diagnostic criteria for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
MS, a lifelong condition, is unpredictable for every patient, and I do not know what is in store for me. There is no cure. My Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) MS is the “best” MS prize to win. My optic neuritis symptom was mostly resolved with a course of IV and oral steroids, and I have no other symptoms.
Some have called my MS diagnosis life altering. I do not resonate with that. To me, life altering means life-limiting, interferes with my day-to-day, shortened life expectancy, or permanent disability.
Instead I prefer life impacting. My life is impacted by living with this autoimmune disease. The prognosis I was given is exceptionally positive. It is very possible that I will not have another attack, and with the aid of immunosuppressant medication, regular monitoring of blood work and MRIs, I will have a near-normal life and live the next 40 years I am supposed to.
Factors that can contribute to MS are low Vitamin D, genetics, and environmental factors. MS is particularly prevalent in northern populations and disproportionally affects women. I was directed to continue with my active lifestyle, mostly good diet, reduce alcohol intake, choose DMT (disease modifying therapies) medication, and add some supplements.
I am committed to being a good patient, taking care of myself, and leaning on the network of health care professionals and peers that are in my corner. Since being diagnosed, I have accessed individual counselling and an online peer-support group for other newly diagnosed Canadians living with MS. Day to day, I’m doing really well, and aside from twice daily medication, I mostly forget I live with MS.
How can you help and support me?
Be physically active with me!
Accept NO when I decline alcohol.
It’s OK to ask about my diagnosis. Sharing my experience helps me work through what and how I’m feeling.
Educate yourself on this disease that 90,000 Canadians live with.
Be an advocate - accompany me to blood work, diagnostic imaging, and neurologist appointments. I thought I was tough shit and didn’t need an appointment buddy at my initial intake. THEN my badass neurologist wanted to put a needle in my spine, and I was glad AF that my cherished cousin Robyn was there to hold my hand and rub my shoulders.
Keep your “just a little bit sick” kids THE FUCK away from me. Their germy presence threatens to send my immune system into overdrive and erroneously attack my BRAIN. And I don't like kids to begin with.
