Keisha's health struggles

In February 2005, I woke up with no vision in my left eye. I went to the doctor and found out that I had fluid behind my eye.  I was immediately rushed to the hospital where I was admitted for weeks for further testing. I had to get an MRI done which showed scattered lesions and more fluid surrounding my brain. The last exams that had to be done was a spinal tap which at that moment which confirmed that I had multiple sclerosis.

This was hard for me to understand and accept because I felt healthy and strong but my body was breaking down internally. My neurologist told me that I had to stop going to school, stop working, stop driving, and I needed to be at home monitored at all times. This was so hard for me because I was always independant and loved to live my life. 

However from then to now, I have been on so many different medications and have failed them also. Each time I have a relapse a new cluster of lesions grow either on my brain or my spine.I went through times where I could not walk and had to push myself to learn how to do it again. After several failed attempts with other MS medications, my last resort is to go on this new medication called Rituxin. To my knowledge after extensive research this medication is normally given to cancer patients but it is also known to treat severe and rare cases of Multiple Sclerosis patients whose body has rejected other medicines.
 
 I have again hit a frustrating time in my life because I failed yet another medication and have been without since last September. I go to work everyday and pay for health insurance just to find out now my new medicine Rituxin is not covered. I have reached out to the manufacturer and they were able to give me a one time complimentary supply that saved me $22,500.  I was so happy for this but it was a blow to the heart with when they told me my copayment was $5600.00 per treatment. My doctor says I need 2 treatments which will cost me over $10,000.

Since I have been without medication I have lost feeling in my hands and I have numbness in my legs, fatigue and body aches. My doctor told me that my body can withstand only a certain amount of lesions before I become paralyzed.

 I know everyone has a story and I try not to wear mine but if its in your heart please donate to my page so I can give this new medicine a fighting chance. I Thank you for taking time to read this and please continue to pray for me and my journey because we all have something going on.
However from then to now, I have been on so many different medications and have failed them also. Each time I have a relapse a new cluster of lesions grow either on my brain or my spine.I went through times where I could not walk and had to push myself to learn how to do it again

I am a member of the multiple sclerosis society and I've walk side by side with people who suffer with this awful disease. It is very hard for me to be in a position where I am in need of asking for help.