MS Relapse
Posted: August 29, 2011 at 8:00 pmMy mom has had another multiple sclerosis relapse and is in the hospital.
Talk about a damper to a day that started off on a high note – coming off from a crazy good weekend, having a productive morning, and feeling the love from my little ones.
Then, I get a call around 9:30 this morning. From my mom, all laid back and asking how I’m doing and about my weekend…but, oh by the way – “I’m in the hospital because I had trouble breathing and they don’t know why”. What the what now?!!?! But, that’s my mom. The quintessential selfless woman always worrying about others and glossing over her own struggles.
I love my mom. And not to sound hoakey or anything, but aside from Jesus she is the biggest inspiration in how I hope to live my life and the kind of person I want to be. Every time I hear she faces another relapse or has another scare related to the MS, a little piece of me crumbles. Yet she somehow remains so strong.
She was diagnosed this past February after having some weakness in her legs and trouble walking. Her regular medicine normally helps her feel fairly normal, but it seems every two months things become more difficult on her lower body again. The treatment for her relapses typically helps her to function as normal again within a few weeks. It carries standard side effects of additional fatigue, headaches, and nausea, but my mom just acts like my mom and sails through it all as serenely as possible.
This time was different.
After three days on the treatment for her relapse, she started noticing some trouble breathing. She was advised to stay home, rest, and monitor her breathing. It became worse and she ended up in the hospital last night around 9 pm. She had to be placed on an oxygen machine and has remained on it since last night. Every time they try to allow her to breathe on her own, her oxygen levels drop significantly.
The doctors are unsure whether this is a side effect or possible allergic reaction to the treatment or separate from treatment and caused by the MS. She has received numerous tests (an EKG, X-Ray on her chest, and CAT Scan on her lungs) to help determine the cause. The uncertainty and lack of answers bother me the most. Yet, there’s my mother. Full of peace…at least outwardly…and worrying about others.
Obviously, I spent my afternoon visiting her without a second thought to the spin class I missed or the list of to-dos that would not get done. I baked her peach muffins (recipe tomorrow) instead of folding laundry. I shared Mama Pea with her instead of hoarding the laughs for myself. And the Glamour? Just in case the Mama Pea stories make my mom cry….that’s just how she is.
It’s days like today that make me so grateful to have my faith.
It’s days like today that remind me that our relationships with others and with God are the only two things that truly matter in this life.
And it’s every day that I love my mom and pray for her body’s strength, her doctor’s guidance, and her heart’s peace. Would you mind doing the same for us today?
Thank you. And I know she says it too…thank you. Just before she asks you how you’re doing and what she can do to help you, of course. Oh, mom. I love you.
Tags: faith, family, personal, relationships
Prayers to you and your family, Tina! You have such a great attitude and outlook on life 🙂
Prayers for you guys !!! xoxoxo
I am praying for you all.
Awww…my heart goes out to you guys. In some sense, I know what you are feeling. My dad is having heart surgery on Friday. You all are in my prayers and I know His strength will carry you (and me) through.
Oh Tina, my heart goes out to your mom, you, and the rest of your family right now. Praying for healing for your mom, and peace for the rest of you!
Prayers going out to your mom & your family.
My thoughts are with you and your family!
Your mom and your family are in my prayers. May God support you through this time and draw you all closer to each other!
Oh Tina, you know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! You are all so lucky to have one another in each others’ lives. Cherish every moment of it, although I have no doubt that you do!
So sorry to read this Tina — please know that you, your Mom and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers!!!!
My prayers are with your mom…and with you. I’m so sorry she is facing these difficulties!!! The unknown is the worst! <3
thinking of you and your family. sounds like an amazing mama! you definitely take after her 🙂
Tina – I hate to hear this so much. Sending thoughts and prayers your way – please keep us posted.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I think you already know you have so many positive thoughts being sent your way. Definitely thinking of you and your mom.
I am keeping your mom (and your whole family) in my prayers. You are right when you say that our faith in God carries us though the most difficult times. I don’t know how I could have fought breast cancer by myself…God was at my side constantly through my battle and he never fails me. A verse that we were led to during my year of surgeries and treatments was Mark 5:36, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” I’m praying this verse brings peace for your soul and strength to your heart. God bless you. Love and hugs to you and your momma:-) xoxo
Oh, wow. That is a powerful verse. And thank you for sharing your story and strength. It helps bring peace and hope here as well. <3
Your post brought tears to my eyes. You did EXACTLY the right thing by throwing your “to do” list out the window. My prayers are with you and your family.
I’m so sorry to hear about you Mom’s relapse Tina. You are all in my prayers, please keep us posted.
I’m so sorry! I’m the same way, when I don’t know whats going on or have answers I’m freaking out. Hopefully you’ll have answers soon. You and your mom are in my prayers!
I’m thinking of you and your Mum and sending healing and loving wishes your way.
Your ‘to do’ list is your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful mom. I’m just sorrier than I can say for all of you.
I can’t remember if you’ve ever talked about it, but does she do anything alternative?
My cousin was diagnosed with MS at 18. She’s had a lot of luck with acupuncture (along with her western meds). And I’m researching some other supplements I’ve just heard about that may really help to boost the immune system and help with MS in particular.
Hugs and love to you all, especially your mom.
She has changed up her eating some I believe but nothing else that I know of.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family! Your mom is a strong woman, and she has a wonderful daughter and family, and this entire blog community, to support her 🙂
So sorry you and your family has to go through this! Praying comfort, strength, and healing for your Mom: and Wisdom and care for her doctors. “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Rom 8:28
Thanks, Tina! That is one of my favorite verses. A perfect reminder. 🙂
I will definitely pray for her. Sorry to hear she’s in the hospital again.
I am so sorry! You and your mom are in my thoughts. I hope you get some answers soon. Not knowing is so scary. Please keep us posted.
Praying for your mom and she is a blessing to have joy even through her struggles.
oh Tina, I am so sorry! I am praying for you and your mom. I know God has His hand on her and will keep her safe. Even though I’ve never met her, I know she is an amazing woman because she raised you and wow, thats impressive.
Much Love!
I will be praying!!!
I’m so sorry about your mom. Keep us all in the loop. There’s something about becoming a mother that makes you a billion times stronger than you were before, or so it seems to me!
How horrible, Tina! Praying now!
Praying for you all — for peace for you, healing for your mom, and wisdom the the doctors treating her.
Mom’s are like that, right? I can only hope I’ll be the same someday. And you already are!
Thinking of you and your family. MS is a tough disease, but it looks like your mom is equally tough. 🙂
Praying for your mom! A good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with MS and I know how difficult it was for her. You are such a sweet daughter to drop everything and be with her. She needs you even though she would never admit it and you realized that. You must take after her. 😉
Tina, I am so so sorry to read this. Please know your sweet mama has the power of prayer behind her. I will be praying for good health, doctors’ wisdom, and joy for your entire family.
Saying a lot of prayers for your beautiful momma! Our moms sound very similar actually – my mom is the most selfless person I know!
So sorry to hear this…but thanks for sharing! All the best to you and your mom.
You and your family are in my thoughts, Tina. If you ever need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to call me.
Praying for your mom and your family <3
Tina- Your mother has a wonderful daughter… I know she is grateful to have you.
I know how it feels to be sick and not have any answers. I pray will you receive them and your mother will walk out of the hospital tomorrow.
:(:( I’ll definitely be praying for your mom and you too!! My mom is the most selfless person i know and i dont know what i’d do if she got sick:( I think i’m gonna go give her a call!
Oh, Tina! I will certainly be praying for your family, your mom and her doctors. <3 Your mom sounds like a beautiful, selfless woman. I wish her well. I'm glad to hear you and your family have your faith to help you through these times.
thanks for sharing about your mom, tina. i am so sorry to hear of her current challenges.
thoughts and prayers to you and your family. i am so glad you could spend time with your mom, today.
I will absolutely pray for you and your family, Tina. I’m so sorry to hear about the relapse. I am thinking of you.
Just said a prayer for your dear mother~for healing and wisdom from the Dr.s. Hope she is doing better soon. 🙂 XOXO
Your mother is in both my thoughts and prayers <3
Oh Tina, I am so so so sorry to hear about your mom. I am sending my thoughts and prayers her way and to your entire family.
Very well written and touching blog post. I hope your Mom is getting stronger every day.
You are TRULY such a beautiful person .
I am sending well wishes to your beautiful mom, hope she gets better soon xoxo
Of course you and your mom are in my prayers today. I pray that God will grant the doctors wisdom to find a solution to her difficult breathing, that she may be able to be home and resting. I pray for peace for all of you. I lift your family up.
Tina, I am keeping your mom and your entire family in my prayers. She seems like such a strong woman and I can definitely see where you get your strength and inspiration from! Keep strong and I’ll be thinking about you!
Praying for your mom and your family. So sorry to hear about her relapse. Mom’s have the amazing ability to always put others first, yours sounds like a great woman.