Notes on MS

Notes on MS

The man that I love had a lot of the same problems as most people with MS, starting with the vision one of bright lights and the Doctor not being able to get him to 20/20. But what was worse in his case was the diagnosis did not happen for another 14 years.

He continued to work at his job in Ohio as an Operating Engineer. He had been doing heavy equipment operation but had worked up higher in the Union and was running an asphalt plant. He worked and he saved almost all of his pay. In 1998 he was wintering in Florida with his Mom as he did every year and realized that he couldn't drive back to Ohio because of his vision. He didn't want to kill others or himself in a car accident making the trip.

Again he started the trips to the eye doctor with no success. One side problem was the fact that his eye doctor was dying of a brain tumor he didn't even know about until almost the end. So no spinals or MRI's or being sent to another doctor. His mother used to yell at him for not helping her with the yard, even though without the MS vision problem of the bright light the sun gave off, she probably wouldn't have been happy with his work anyway since the yard was her love.

When he finally was diagnosed the Doctor did not really bother with the spinal tap but said he was almost positive it was MS and started Bob on Avonex. The Avonex has been a godsend. His vision is not perfect and the State still makes him re test for his driver license every two years. Any more I do most of the driving. Avonex is the right medication for him since he is steadier on his feet and has less fatigue. We still are night owls because of our insomnia but we are together and that is the most important thing. I am in this for the long haul and do not ever plan on leaving him.