Hello, my name is Missy Rae (Melissa), and I have 4 children. They're off living life and graduated 3 of the 4, and one is at home who is 10. I have him 80% of the time. However, sometimes life happens. Since March, I’ve been experiencing some weird symptoms: dizziness, brain fog, balance issues, cognitive issues, comprehension issues, and a massive headache for four months. I went to my doctors to try to get help and met with a neurologist over the phone. He sent me off for an MRI. They lost my MRI, then they found it, but I couldn’t get anybody to give me my results. Then they tried to push out another appointment two weeks, and somebody would call me after I called them every day for a week. So on July 28, I went to the ER. They ran another MRI, and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). My whole life changed in a matter of minutes. And now my son has to go live with his father full-time. And I’m gonna have doctor’s appointments and doctor’s appointments: regular doctor, neurologist, eye doctor, physical therapy. And because of this illness, I dropped the ball at work and recently was fired a week before I found out my diagnosis. This is extremely hard to ask for help. However, my insurance doesn’t pay for the infusions to help me get better, and I’ve heard a few stories where if I get the infusions and I work out, I can live a good quality life, maybe a little different than what I was used to but enjoyable. So anything helps. I’m just trying to figure my life out. I do have to. I was signing up for unemployment because I lost my job, but now I’m signing up for disability because I can’t work or drive. I have to use a shower chair. I have a walker, but I’m trying not to use it because I don’t wanna lose it. Thank you. All funds will go towards my infusion!!

Living with MS:

MS diagnosis stands for Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. It refers to the medical process of confirming the presence of multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Key Points:

Multiple sclerosis is characterized by the destruction of the protective myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers.

Symptoms can vary widely and may include numbness, tingling, weakness, vision problems, and cognitive difficulties.

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, medical history, and diagnostic tests such as:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect lesions in the brain and spinal cord

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to check for inflammation and antibodies

The McDonald criteria are a set of diagnostic guidelines used to confirm MS based on clinical and imaging findings.

It's important to note that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing MS and improving outcomes. If you experience any symptoms that may suggest MS, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation.