Casey's medical fund

I never dreamt that I would ever be writing something like this.  Today is my birthday. I turned 32 years old. Yesterday I got news that will change my life forever. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.... if that wasn't bad enough I was also told that I have Syringomyelia. This was found during all of the MRI's that I had done. I have gone through so many tests this last month and still have to go for a spinal tap next week to check for more problems.  It all started when my vision went squirrelly about 2 months ago while shopping with my mom. I was so scared not knowing what was going on. It never improved. A couple of days into it I began having awful headaches. After over a week and a half I knew I had to go to the doctors. They didn't know what was causing it. I immediately went to the eye doctor and went through every single test that they could do. There was nothing wrong with my eyes.  The very next day I went in for an MRI of my brain.  I was assuming this wouldn't show anything... I was very wrong. It showed several lesions on my brain "suspicious of demyelination disease".  Next step, neurologist. She then wanted to run the gamut of tests.  Once again, I didn't expect them to find anything, wrong again. I have several lesions from my brain stem right down my entire spinal cord into my lumbar.  Some MS patients don't even have lesions... she couldn't believe how many I have. This is where they found the syrinx on my thoracic spine.  Shortly after i began having the constant blurred and double vision I began having an awful burning sensation down my entire left leg. About two days later, I was having such excruciating back pain and it radiated around to both of my hips. I fought bought tears with every step. I couldn't sleep because the pain was so intense to have anything even touch my hips or back.  I continued to work. I am a nurse and my passion is helping people. I am stubborn and sometimes don't know when to say "enough is enough". MS isn't super rare. There are 4 different kinds. Relapsing-remitting is the most common. Primary progressive is the most rare.  My neurologist is concerned I have primary progressive due to the extent of my lesions and progressive symptoms.  I AM SCARED TO DEATH. I don't know what my future holds. I can just take one day at a time and be thankful for each day.  My neurologist isn't messing around.  I am starting Copaxone injections 3 times a week....could be for the rest of my life.  This injection alone costs several thousand dollars just for one month. And of course I am starting the highest dosage.  I have a high deductible insurance plan and it doesn't cover much. I don't get any help such as Medicaid or any government program.  I have to get the injections from a specialty pharmacy and even have to meet with someone to teach me how to do it. I also have to start frequent B12 injections due to deficiency, most likely from the MS.  I have to take blood pressure medication twice a day now to help control the headaches. Muscle relaxers to help me cope with the pain. (I don't tolerate any pain medications) I have to start oral medications as well, and I don't even know what those are yet. The bills have started to pile in and I am beyond overwhelmed.  I want to continue to work for as long as I possibly can! I don't want this disease to disable me any more than it already has. I have amazing friends and family for emotional support. And I have an 8 year old son who doesn't really understand what's going on with mommy. I honestly don't think I'd be writing this now if it wasn't for all the love and support people have shown me.  I appreciate you reading my story.