Purple Tigers and Bamboo Pudding

The following is a letter written by my mother... It's actually quite self-explanatory. For the record, this woman is one of my heroes and I strongly urge everyone to try and help out her as well as others struggling to get through the day:

Dear Friends and Family,                                     

Its tough being told you have a disease with no known cause or cure.  I’ll never forget the   day my neurologist gave me the dreadful diagnosis that I had Multiple Sclerosis two and a half years ago.  That’s one thing that’s etched in my mind forever.  The news hit me like a ton of bricks; I felt like my world was coming to an end.  I’m still overwhelmed by having this disease.  Everyday I try not to succumb to my emotions.

I’m participating in my 3^rd year MS Walk to try and create a world free of Multiple Sclerosis.  I’m even more passionate about finding a cure especially since my MS affects me and my everyday life and since my MS has worsened since my last letter.

I’m igniting a movement against MS and once again I’m humbled in asking if I could please count on you for your support.  The Walk Event Dates are: Saturday, May 2^nd, 2010, Troy High School, Troy, MI. at 10.00am and Sunday, May 8^th, 2010, Comerica Park, Detroit, MI. 10:00am.  I would love to have you come and join me. 

MS is a challenging, oftentimes disabling disease that strikes without warning- usually in the prime of life.  The seriousness of this disease demands that I try an educate everyone that I possible can.  MS is a very unpredictable, chronic disease which strikes the central nervous system (i.e. the brain and spinal cord.)  Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body actually attacks its own cells and tissues.  What triggers the immune system to attack is still a mystery. 

We’re you aware that there are over 2.5 million people worldwide known to be affected? This figure could be far higher as some people can have MS without even knowing it. MS is regarded as an inflammatory condition mainly affecting the white matter of the brain and spinal chord. This matter is made up of nerve fibers which transmit communication signals within the central nervous system. Think of it as an electrical switchboard to nerves supplying the body. These nerves are surrounded by a protective sheath called myelin/ MS attacks the myelin, causing it to break down and be replaced by scar tissue. When this happens, signals to the central nervous system can be blocked and confused, messing up functions such as coordination, vision, and memory. Usually, it is the speed and efficiency of these signals that allows us to perform everyday coordinated movements with very little conscious effort.

          The body is amazing thing. One of the incredible facts about the coating of myelin, is its ability to try and repair itself – one moment MS is attacking the myelin, and the next moment it is trying to fight back.

          There are four types of MS. The type of MS I have is called relapse-remitting MS. Basically, it means I have relapses when there is a flare up of symptoms followed by remissions. The damage is done and unable to be repaired. Symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even months.

          I still never know how I am going to feel when I wake up each morning. I still have to plan around the whims of a body that no longer wants to cooperate. My balance and cognitive thinking have both declined. The tingling feels like being stuck with hundreds of needles with electrical shocks and twitching. The numbness and partial paralysis of my left side, including my arm and hand, are extremely upsetting. It comes and goes without warning. I drop things I attempt to hold in my hands. With the weakness, stiffness, and fatigue, my legs no longer guide me effortlessly throughout the day, and I often need a cane to keep my balance. The spring in my step is gone. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I need to rely on a shower chair or I get dizzy simply standing in the shower. I was most humiliated when I went to the Toledo Zoo with my little niece and nephews. I was struggling so much to walk that I had to rent a scooter to aid me. My little niece, Anna, thought it was cool because I let her ride on it with me. That helped a bit with my embarrassment. At least someone looked on the bright-side.

          I ask myself, what happened to that all-star athlete I used to be in high school; The one who had All-State, All-Catholic, All-League achievements in softball, basketball, and volleyball. You’d never guess by looking at me now but I was a athlete of the year back then. Now, my uncharted path of life with relapse-remitting MS has me struggling to accept the harsh reality that with this disease, I do not have the luxury of time to learn to cope or pull myself together, when I feel like I’m falling apart. I do know without a cure, I will continue to be in excruciating pain and that eventually I could lose all control of my body. Just the thought of that brings tears to my eyes. I pray every day that a cure is discovered. I put on a good show for everyone. But really, I have enough on my plate with this disease to plunge into the depths of despair.

          When you get an illness like bronchitis or the flu, you know you’ll be feeling better and functioning normally within a week or so. A chronic illness, like MS Is different. It never goes away and disrupts your entire life style forever. Living with MS, for me, has been a nightmare.

          Through my daily struggles with this disease, I’m trying to stay positive but honestly, it is very difficult to do. I need you to please help support me on my journey to fund a cure for MS.

          I will thank you in advance for your generosity. I know times are still tough financially for every one right now, which makes every dollar mean even more. It really does mean the world to me that you care about me and every other individual that has to deal with the struggles of this disease every day. I am thankful for having such wonderful people in my life to cheer me on through this endeavor. You know if you needed me, I would be right there to cheer you on as well.

Sincerely Grateful With Love,

Lisa

Donations can be made out and sent to:

Lisa J. Milewski-Randles

3450 Martin Street Detroit MI. 48210

(In the memo space on the check, write “Michigan MS Society”)

“You’re a Survivor” By Jill Eisnaugle

In one single moment, the world you knew changed
Each second of glory had been rearranged
The sky above, once filled with wonder and light
Became dark and lonely, yet you chose to fight
With your friends and family, there by your side
You mustered the courage to battle in stride
With faith as a beacon to guide you along
You began a journey, which would make you strong.

At times, you knew conflict; therefore, tears were shed
Yet, you remained focused on the goal, ahead
To overcome [MS], one mile at a time
Despite every mountain you were asked to climb
You always found comfort in the countless prayers
Issued in your name, sent to God’s golden stairs
And thus, every morning, you rose for the day
Ready for each challenge that could come your way…

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx << my mom's profile will be up soon, but it would be better to just send the donation to the house so she can send it all in one lump sum.