And for the first time in years, my MS is not stable.
There is a new hyperintense lesion in my right frontal lobe.
Yes, I've had relapses and reactivation of old symptoms, and do have daily symptoms of living with MS. But this is the first time there has been a change in my imaging. (It takes a lot for some disease activity to show up on the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine. For example - each and every relapse I've had since diagnosis hasn't changed my imaging. Not even when I lost my vision).
The quick neurological exam was pretty much the same. I still have residual decreased vision from the optic neuritis in my right eye four years ago, with mild red colour desaturation, and mild optic nerve atrophy in both eyes. I have difficulty performing the tandem walking test and display abnormal reflexes. My EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) is up a bit, but I'm not going to share the number.
Despite my Neurologist's best promises of the fact that I still have a "good looking brain," meaning, this could be a lot, lot worse (and I am well aware of that), it's hard not to take this news positively.
Unfortunately, that's the nature of the MS-beast.
But, we move forward. We must.
And I will.
The plan, for somewhere along the road, when life is a little simpler (hmmm...) is immunotherapy. The thought of that still scares me, but at least I have my extended health approval for one medication and the option of a few clinical trials coming up in the next while, just in case I can ever make a decision. Ha.
Meanwhile, I am still so, so thankful for my health care team, the research happening every day, and this place, where I go to receive all my care.
