Saturday, January 19, 2008

January 16,2008

I had my 6 month follow-up with Dr. Kerr today. Things are continuing to improve. Just like at my three month post HiCy visit, the MRIs revealed NO NEW LESIONS AND NO ENHANCEMENT!!!

My EDSS (expanded disability systems scale) scores are also looking better. Before the HiCy, I had an EDSS of 5. At 3 months post HiCy, my EDSS was 3.5. Today Dr. Hammond told me it had dropped to 2.5! My reflexes and physical tests improved again. Also, my walking is better. Working out at the gym with a personal trainer has really helped me to strengthen my muscles. I still have some pain and "pins and needles" in my feet that I've had for years. Dr. Kerr gave me advice about reprogramming my muscles by practicing walking on different surfaces (indoors and outdoors / even and uneven) in order to continue to improve. He and Dr. Hammond spoke quite positively about my progress and were very encouraging about my future. The fear and hopelessness that I felt last winter is now gone.

I am so grateful to Dr. Hammond, Dr. Kerr and Dr. Brodsky for letting me do the HiCy protocol. My original goal was to stop the rapid progression of the (MS) disease. I seriously thought that lowering my EDSS score would be wonderful, but hard to fathom. It amazes me to be examined and to see and hear that things are actually better! At 46, I know I won't feel like I'm 20 again, but at least I don't feel like I'm 90 anymore either.

The best thing of all is that I have HOPE for the future.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is just amazing. I was just given a 6.0 and to hear you have went from a 5 - 2.5 makes me giggle.

I was diag'd in 2004 and have went from a 3.0 to a 6 in that time.

I can't wait to get there!

CONGRADS!!!!!

Anonymous said...

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Lisa Emrich said...

Hi, I apologize for the 'form' letter but it is the easiest way to pass word most quickly.

I am thrilled with the response to the MS Blogger project started at my blog, Brass and Ivory. I appreciate all those who took time to post about it on their blogs. I have discovered even more bloggers who have MS, whether they blog about the MS or not. A new listing is available at MS Blogger Community Project Revised.

Secondly, I'm looking for submissions for next week's Carnival of MS Bloggers. Information can be found at the end of each issue archived at Carnival of MS Bloggers. What I'm looking for this week are posts related to creativity. I discovered so many new bloggers who quilt, or knit, or crochet, or write, or photograph, etc. Basically, what do you do to express yourself?

Thank you so much for participating.

Lisa Emrich

P.S. I also apologize for any increased 'spamming' of blog comments due to my growing linklist of bloggers with MS. For that I am sincerely sorry.

Anonymous said...

I am looking at undergoing the HiCy treatment in the near future. (You've seen me on the MS Forum under the handle "packedby776.") Would you be so kind (if possible) as to update us about how you are doing now, in April 2008?

It would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you!