Me, Myself, and MS
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So my journey begins. My numb hand turned into a numb arm that soon turned into double vision. I was told by then my Doctor that there was no medial reason for the symptoms I was having. I politely told my Doctor that she has the medical degree but I have had this body for thirty five years and I know that something is seriously wrong. I quickly found a new Doctor .I have always listened to my body and that gut felling that we all get when we know something isn't right. This led me on a journey of learning all I could about my illness and to take as much control as possible over my health. I have done things that if not for my diagnoses I would have kept putting off. I learned how to swim at the age of 39, I went horseback riding for the first time in my life on a trip to Jamaica, not only riding but through the beautiful clear blue/green water on my horse. I even learned how to rollerblade. Yes, I fell a couple of times even sprained my finger. Probably would have stuck to doing my regular aerobics if not for the fact that I wanted to challenge myself. I went to lunch, dinner and the movies alone. This gave me time for me. Something I needed to prepare my mind and spirit for the unknown.
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About the Book
Me, Myself and MS is a true-to-life, heartwarming, and inspirational memoir that deals with what I went through and go through on a day-to-day, more specifically, a minute-to-minute basis in the battle of living with multiple sclerosis. This book will give a detailed description of my life from the moment of diagnoses to the many symptoms, medications, treatments, and some of the possible side effects. It is also a portrayal of the tears, laughter, triumphs, and tribulations that are a part of living with multiple sclerosis. Me, Myself and MS is not only targeted for people living with multiple sclerosis, but it is also for anyone dealing with life’s challenges and who are in need of a little inspiration. It makes a statement that the choice is yours. You can submit to your illness and hardships, or you can see these challenges as a new chapter in your life and move forward fighting tooth and nail with each new blow that is thrown you way. With two hundred people diagnosed weekly with multiple sclerosis, this inspirational book will help ease some of the fears about what you might go through. It is meant to encourage and guide those that are going through this journey or any challenges in their lives. In my family, there are four of us living with multiple sclerosis, and I was the first to be diagnosed. There was no one that I could turn to for advice as to what to expect. I hadn’t even heard the words multiple sclerosis or what this illness was, so I wanted to pass along that although you have been given a new life/way of living, you can/will survive your diagnoses. This is a journey—one that I have been on for twenty-three years and counting.
About the Author
Let me introduce myself. My name is Gwendolyn Powell, but my family and friends call me Gwenie. I was born in Washington, DC, on September 14, 1958. I am the fourth of five girls. I live in Maryland with the love of my life, my husband, Timothy. We have been married for forty years. I am the mother of two children and the grandmother of six. My parents instilled in me the importance of faith, family, and friends. They taught me that no matter what I might be going through, someone else’s challenges and difficulties are greater than mine. Those words helped prepare me for a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1994. Since then, I have experienced paralysis, blindness, numbness from my neck down, and double vision, along with many other MS symptoms. I could have given up a long time ago, but instead I chose to fight—and my family has been right there with me. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been knocked down by MS many times, but always, after I regain enough strength, I choose to get right back up. Rather than crying “Why me?” I prefer to ask “Why not me?” Four members of my family have multiple sclerosis, or what I call “my little monster.” I was the first one to get a diagnosis, so I was able to help ease some of the fears and concerns of the others. I have laughed and cried with them, prayed and wept for them, and sat beside them in silence when no words of comfort were enough. I’ve cooked for them and fed them when they were too weak to feed themselves. I was there when my niece took her first breath, and when my brother-in-law took his last. I wrote this book not only for those of you dealing with MS, but for anyone facing a challenge that you feel you might not be able to handle. I know you’ve heard it said many times, but you are not alone. Always keep your illness behind you. Never let it define who you are. I’m not saying to ignore what you’re going through, but keep it on its toes. Stand tall, stand straight, and fight. Some people might abandon you when you need them the most, but new friends and relationships will enter your life. Keep smiling and laughing. Enjoy this new chapter in your life. Love is a powerful thing.