Tracy St. Louis, MO 1997 (age 28) After traveling with my family on a very stressful road trip to Arizona, I began to lose vision in my right eye. It started with a "spot" so I was continually cleaning my glasses. Within two days my vision seriously deteriorated. My mother took me to an eye doctor, who solemnly pronounced that my vision would either get worse or it would get better. This official diagnosis came with a bill... Over the next week, I lost vision in both eyes and had to deal with the very real possibility that it might not return. I had a husband (not supportive) and a six year old son, and a two year old daughter. Luckily, the following week, my vision returned as quickly as it had left and I was able to return to my full time job and take care of my family as if nothing had happened. April 2005 (age 35) Now divorced, at a new job (for just over a year) the vision in my right eye seemed a bit fuzzy. Frighteningly familiar. Eight years had passed since this happened, and I panicked. My children, now fourteen and ten, would be easier to care for if I was going blind this time. Just the month before, in March, I'd seen an optometrist who took photos of both eyes, did an eye exam, and gave me a new prescription. She also prescribed me with Restasis for dry eye. I hoped my fuzzy vision was related to adjusting to new glasses and/or the Restasis. ??? I mentioned my eyesight problems to my family (parents living with us after my divorce in 1999) and my mother suggested I go back to my optometrist if it didn't improve. Two weeks into April, I lost vision in my right eye and called the optometrist who had me come in right away. She did another test which confirmed that I couldn't see and another photo showed her that my optic nerve was swollen. She sent me to a retina specialist. The retina specialist confirmed that my optic nerve was swollen, but assured me that my vision would come back and I should be just fine. Meanwhile, back at work, my boss recommended a that I see a neuroopthalmologist who happened to be a friend of his. In June, I saw this doctor who did thorough testing, and scheduled an MRI. On June 24th, I met with the doctor who told me that I have Optic Neuritis which will improve on its own, but would be a recurring problem in my life. Then he told me that he was sending me to see a neurologist. I asked him why if my vision would get better by itself?? He avoided direct eye contact, and said he thought it was best. I was then instructed to go down to the second floor and retrieve my own MRI results/reports to take to the neurologist. I read the reports in the elevator and was devastated: ...several lesions in white brain matter ...active disease of Multiple Sclerosis. Active disease of Optic Neuritis. July 2005 The neurologist confirmed that I have Multiple Sclerosis. He thinks he can bring my vision back with an infusion of steroids, but side effects may cause me to become "psychotic" ??? He asks me about my other symptoms like my numb arms and legs. How did he know? I have dizziness, lots of dumb moments (driving home the wrong way, forgetful, etc.) Anyway, I come home from the neurologist and tell my parents the news and that a nurse will be coming out next day to hook me up to an IV for five days of meds. Two of the five days will fall on a weekend, so I am only out three sick days at the office. I have an enormous headache and a case of self-pity and dive into bed early and ask my mother to call my boss with the diagnosis. I will begin Rebif injections 3x a week once the steroid taper is complete. My eyesight is much better, nearly 100%. I am taking a week long vacation with my children next week. This will be their first plane ride and we are going to have much physical fun, because I don't know what kind of condition I will be in next year or the year after that. I've talked to my children about this and we're all handling it with good humor. After all, it is not life-threatening, just annoying. The best part is that MS is not hereditary and they should be fine :) To other MSrs...let's make the most of life, each and every day and remain humble enough to express ourselves honestly and lovingly. Tracy