At the age of 39, I was working full time as a Physical Therapy Assistant in a busy orthopedic practice, running the occasional 5K and loving my life as a wife, and busy mom to 2 boys, ages 8 and 19. That fall, I ran a local 5K for our elementary school and struggled the entire time. My legs felt heavy and numb. Being a “little competitive”, I was mortified when I came in dead last, limping across the finish line in front of my friends and family. I knew then that something was very wrong.
My MS Story
by Jennifer Jerome
Fast forward through many PCP and Neurology appointments, multiple tests and MRIs. I received a telephone call from my doctor at my clinic while working. I was in my glassed in office in the middle of the busy gym as my own patients were looking at me. I was asked “Do you know that you have MS?” WHAT?!?! NO. Time stopped.
At my follow up Neurology appointment I was started on an oral DMT that has seemed to stop any new lesions. I continue to have flare ups resulting in a lovely limp, fatigue that can stop me dead in my tracks and some balance issues that has put me in some embarrassing and cringeworthy situations. I have definitely learned to laugh at myself.
I feel very fortunate and blessed that for the past 13 years living with MS, my symptoms are occasional and controllable. I have learned to listen to my body, find a balance between staying active and resting when needed, and keeping a positive outlook and mindset. My family and close friends are “my why”. They keep me going and laughing at life’s challenges. I don’t do this alone. “My tribe” is my support system and I am forever grateful for their support and love.
Since being diagnosed, I have been very fortunate to have slowly stopped working and be able to focus my energy on my health and wellbeing. I spend my time knitting and crocheting for my small business, JLJ Knits, golfing with my husband and girlfriends, learning to play guitar and cheering on my boys, now 22 and 33, watching them grow and live their amazing lives.
I chose to reach out to do an event with MS4MS after reading how Sam started the foundation in his SCSU dorm room, while playing baseball. We are a “baseball family”. My son, Ben is a grad senior baseball player at Nichols College and my husband, Tim is a volunteer assistant coach at the University of St. Joseph. I spend many hours sitting on sidelines and saw this as an opportunity to raise awareness and fundraise for a great cause.
MS is a beast and so different for everyone. My hope is that advances in medicine and awareness will allow for people to be diagnosed earlier resulting in decreased disability and improved outcomes. I hope that my positivity and passion for helping others allows me to make an impact in the fight against MS.
At the age of 39, I was working full time as a Physical Therapy Assistant in a busy orthopedic practice, running the occasional 5K and loving my life as a wife, and busy mom to 2 boys, ages 8 and 19. That fall, I ran a local 5K for our elementary school and struggled the entire time. My legs felt heavy and numb. Being a “little competitive”, I was mortified when I came in dead last, limping across the finish line in front of my friends and family. I knew then that something was very wrong.
Fast forward through many PCP and Neurology appointments, multiple tests and MRIs. I received a telephone call from my doctor at my clinic while working. I was in my glassed in office in the middle of the busy gym as my own patients were looking at me. I was asked “Do you know that you have MS?” WHAT?!?! NO. Time stopped.
At my follow up Neurology appointment I was started on an oral DMT that has seemed to stop any new lesions. I continue to have flare ups resulting in a lovely limp, fatigue that can stop me dead in my tracks and some balance issues that has put me in some embarrassing and cringeworthy situations. I have definitely learned to laugh at myself.
I feel very fortunate and blessed that for the past 13 years living with MS, my symptoms are occasional and controllable. I have learned to listen to my body, find a balance between staying active and resting when needed, and keeping a positive outlook and mindset. My family and close friends are “my why”. They keep me going and laughing at life’s challenges. I don’t do this alone. “My tribe” is my support system and I am forever grateful for their support and love.
Since being diagnosed, I have been very fortunate to have slowly stopped working and be able to focus my energy on my health and wellbeing. I spend my time knitting and crocheting for my small business, JLJ Knits, golfing with my husband and girlfriends, learning to play guitar and cheering on my boys, now 22 and 33, watching them grow and live their amazing lives.
I chose to reach out to do an event with MS4MS after reading how Sam started the foundation in his SCSU dorm room, while playing baseball. We are a “baseball family”. My son, Ben is a grad senior baseball player at Nichols College and my husband, Tim is a volunteer assistant coach at the University of St. Joseph. I spend many hours sitting on sidelines and saw this as an opportunity to raise awareness and fundraise for a great cause.
MS is a beast and so different for everyone. My hope is that advances in medicine and awareness will allow for people to be diagnosed earlier resulting in decreased disability and improved outcomes. I hope that my positivity and passion for helping others allows me to make an impact in the fight against MS.
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