Re: Introduction
Jo Ellen Finkelstein (ghellen(AT)ninenet.com)
Sat, 20 Jun 1998 00:14:21 -0500
DazeTpoet(AT)aol.com wrote:
>
> Hi Vicki,
>
> In response to your questions, I think my 1st neuro just told me I had MS in a
> vague attempt to get me to stop phoning his office demanding an answer. He
> was not very good, which is why I went to the head neurologist at my local
> hospital. He told me that he couldn't put his hand on his heart and say it
> definatly was or wasn't MS. He just told me that I had inflammation in my
> spinal cord, that it would heal itself in about 1 year to 18 months, and that
> there was no need for me to see him again.
>
> I wasn't overly confident with his diagnosis either, which is when I decided
> to search the internet. I still go and see my GP at least once a month, with
> a long list of questions.!! I think he dreads seeing my name on his list.!!
>
> I think my attitude about being a medical mystery stems from being a little
> 'different' all my life. I believe, if you can see the funny or logical side
> of every situation, yu're half way to recovery. Alot of people have been
> shocked by my humour towards my disability, but they just have to get used to
> it.
>
> Hope you're feeling well
> daze
> EnglandHi Daze, Joellen here. You're so right, you have to have a sense of
humor about all this or you sink into a well of depression! Although my
friends say that my sense of humor is slightly warped. (what can I say,
I was in the medical field before all this happened!) I plan to have a
t-shirt made with a frazzled looking woman in a wheechair that says"I am
a woman in a wheelchair with PMS i.e. a B***H on wheels!" (yes it is
warped but oh well...) When I was in the hospital (my home for about 6
months) I made a poster of clipped out pictures of t-shirt slogans with
various attitudes so that when they came in and asked :how are you this
morning?" I could refer them to the appropriate attitude, my
psychologist liked it so well that he made copies of it for his office
and the nurses station! I guess that has become my way of copeing with
this whole problem...humor. I was so depressed when this first happened
that if I could have found an easy, painless way to do it I probably
would have ended it all. Now I still feel that way from time to time,
(especially when I see my medical bills!) but I realize that it would be
a long term answer to a short term problem. Take care.
Joellen