Ides of March…

Having been a high school English teacher before I got sick, I was always warning my 3 children to “Beware the Ides of March.” I am sure they thought I was crazy! But in hindsight, I realize now that my own symptoms started on March 16, 2002, so just one day later. We had been snowmobiling all day at our cabin & that evening I came down with excruatiating upper back pain. My back would go numb that same week.On March 27 by hands & feet also went numb, & by April 27, 2002 I woke up & could no longer walk & had lost the use of my hands.

I would remain in this condition until the summer of 2004, when I was finally able to begin walking with a walker & AFOs. I also was able to get about 70% of the use of my hands back. Those 2+ years were the worst of my life. Strange to think it has already been 6 years of my life already that I have lived as a disabled person… Yet, today on Easter Sunday, I cooked, served & cleaned up for our Easter dinner for 6 adults all by myself (as I do every holiday dinner.) I try to live as normal a life as I can possibly do, even though I know I will pay dearly tomorrow…
Pam