Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
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I've had MS for the last almost five years...I will never forget that when I went to the ER for double vision and had an MRI the doctor asked me, "Rhonda does MS run in your family?" I gave him a curious look as if to say, "Are you kidding?....Not at all! ....or so I thought! Thank G-d for Facebook....we live in an era where there are few unanswered questions out there... I cyber bumped into an aunt I haven't seen in over a decade....and she told me my mother's brother had MS. While I hate that anyone I love would have to deal with this stuff....I wanted to LEAP for joy!...I felt like Alex Hayley discovering Kunta Kente! After having the best time catching up with my uncle he told me of several more relatives who I wasn't acquainted with who had MS also. I'm still in shock BUT I'm so relieved to know how MAYBE this all started with me....Lesson: If at all possible, avoid estrangements with non nuclear family members, you never know what little details are hidden. I lost track because my mother had a falling out and wrote a lot of relatives off....a lot of important answers went with them....thankfully, it wasn't too late to resolve! Remind me to tell you about finding my biological father on Facebook....I should write a book! :D
deleted_user
We are kindred spirits I fear. My mother (real witch) hates everyone but her immediate family (not me or my father who is now deceased) but her sister, brothers, their children, etc. She keeps her family medical history a deep dark secret but through channels I found that my first cousin (a pediatrician) had MS and has since died of lung cancer (we call it death by doctor - he had had enough already and went looking for other problems - found a small spot on the lung, insisted on a biopsy and threw a PE and died). I am sure it did not start with him as there was a lot of intermarriage in my mother's family (money kept in the family) and there were many deaths that no one talked about and when asked no one would be told of the cause. I am estranged from my entire family (thanks to good old mom) and her as well as when I got my diagnosis and could no longer be of service to her and she felt she just might have to aid me in any way she walked away and I haven't heard from her or my sister since. But I am absolutely certain that there is a genetic predisposition to this disease and finding out all about your history is crucial if you want to see where it came from. Unfortunately it won't aid in the treatment or progression of the disease but at least you will find peace of mind that you are not the first in your family to have this dreaded disease. Good job, and how great it must be to have supportive family now!
lchoppel
Cool. I'm glad you were able to rekindle the relationship with your aunt and uncle and find this information out. Maybe you should write in your journal how you found your biological father?
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