A Look Back at the Year 2013 and Multiple Sclerosis

2013 is just about history and as I look back it has been one of my best years, MS and all. 2013 saw me finally come to terms with my disease and make the decision to fight back. There were some low points, but I did my best to learn from them and grow as a person with MS.

In January of 2013 the benefits of the CCSVI procedure I had undergone in August were starting to disappear. While the surgery was simple and initially effective in eliminating many of my MS symptoms, unfortunately it was short lived. The stress from having a newborn at home along with work was enough to set me back to where I was pre-surgery.

CCSVI was a learning opportunity and I began to understand that medicine and procedures could only take me so far, the rest was up to me. In the spring of 2013 I started to explore meditation and yoga.  Learning to work with my mind and body really helped me come to terms with MS and it also helped me become comfortable talking to others about what was going on with my health.

Talking  to others and spreading the word about MS helped me decide to co-captain a MuckFest MS team in the summer and I had an unbelievable experience raising over $5,000 for the MS Society. Raising money and awareness felt great and I look forward to doing more of both in 2014.

As my fight against MS goes into 2014 I'm planning to kick it into the next gear. Changing my diet and outlook has improved my life so much and so fast. I'm looking forward to a great year, I plan to increase my stamina and continue improving my walking. By the end of summer I will be able to go on a long hike, maybe even an overnight camping hike. How will you fight back? Fight on!

Be a Warrior Today,
Donn