I am a breast cancer survivor and when I made my eighth anniversary after the surgery, I was very happy. Eight years was a milestone for me as I had known some people who had recurrences at five years and seven years but I had not known anyone who survived past seven years and had a recurrence. I was on top of the world but the elation didn't last long. Almost immediately after my anniversary, which was November 2006, I started falling. I fell three times in a period of about six weeks. At first I didn't pay much attention to it, but after the third fall, a friend suggested that maybe I should tell my doctor. My GP ordered an MRI on my brain which scared me senseless. I was convinced that the cancer had returned and had gone to my brain. This is not unusual for breast cancer survivors.

But the results were mixed. I did not have cancer but it looked like multiple sclerosis. My reaction at first was a great relief that I did not have cancer. I did not realize at the time the effect that multiple sclerosis would have on my life. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, debilitating disease. There is no cure.
There are treatments. There was more bad news. I had progressive MS. Most people who have multiple sclerosis have relapsing/remitting MS. They have an attack and then go into remission. Ten percent of MS patients have progressive. There are no remissions and the progression is slow but steady.

There are many medications for relapsing/remitting MS but there are no specific treatments for progressive MS. I am taking a medication which is for relapsing/remitting MS in the hope that it will slow the progression. I use a cane to prevent any more falls. My gait has deteriorated. I used to walk a few miles every day and now I can only walk a few blocks. I have a very low energy level. The housework and laundry are now difficult to complete. I see a physical therapist three times a week.

I come to terms with this by trying to stay positive. I know that I have to stay as active as possible without overdoing it. I accept help when it is offered. I avail myself of services offered by the National Multiple Sclerosis society and other groups. I join message boards run by these societies. I call the doctor's office when I have any questions. I don't like being disabled, walking at a snail's pace, stumbling, or feeling tired. But I can still walk. I work and in fact, I am more appreciative of my job now. I tell anyone who asks why I am using a cane that I have MS. And I pray and stay in today. Today I am good.

Learn more about this author, Brigid Ismail.
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