Page 29 - Panama City Living Magazine

I kept living my normal life, working and work- ing out. I tried to not let it slow me down, but it kept getting worse. One morning I woke up and my torso was numb. No joke, it felt like I had a boa constrictor wrapped around my stomach and lumbar. It was di cult to breathe. To make things worse, it was my rst week at a new job and I was traveling. I convinced myself not to worry, it would go away... I kept feeling numb and, for a lack of better wording, weird. I got up but the numbness remained and even got worse. It spread to other parts of my body. First my torso, then my hands. I would be typing, and, suddenly, I couldn’t type anymore. This happened while I was in the room with a group of politicians. After my hands, my legs went numb. That was the worst! I wear heels every day. After a week of being out of town, I returned home and went to the physician. After many tests and MRIs, we discovered lesions on my brain and spine that explained the numbness. I had Multiple Sclerosis.There are several medications and medical devices I am depending on. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle are essential. I have an insulin pump constant- ly maintaining my insulin levels with extra doses when I eat my meals. Before the insulin pump, I had two di erent types of insulin–a fast-acting and a long-acting. The long-acting insulin provid- ed a 24-hour coverage to maintain my blood sug- ar levels. I had to use the fast-acting insulin in case of blood sugar spikes and when I ate my meals.For my diseases, type 1 diabetes and MS, there is no cure. The insulin and medicines control my blood sugar levels. With today’s progress in sci- ence and technology, there will hopefully be a cure in my lifetime.If someone asks if I lead a "normal" life I have to reply, “What’s normal?” In all seriousness, I was di- agnosed when I was so young I didn’t know any di erent. So, yes, I feel that my life is “normal” most of the time...except, when I am in meetings and my insulin pump starts to beep and vibrate. That can be a great conversation starter.A day can absolutely be di cult though, don’t get me wrong. My blood sugars are easily a ected by regular activities or occurrences–working out, less sleep, sickness, stress. I might get tired faster. I pride myself in not letting it slow me down and I use it as an encouragement to others when I can.www.PanamaCityLiving.com • March - April 2018 • 29