I was a lot shakier emotionally before my dx. I spent a year going through severe anxiety including serious attacks of crying, hysteria, feeling of serious changes happing over which I had NO control. I even broke down in Dec '97 and couldn't face pupils for 3 days (really more, but being the "super-teacher" that I always tried to be didn't let me take off sick for longer because I knew the kids would suffer). From that point it took another 10 months until dx.
Dx brought me an incredible sense of relief. I had proof that I was losing my mind, there were pysiological reasons for everything that had been going on. BTW Lisa, I went through the vaseline thing in my rt eye for a couple of years. Now it comes and goes, but nothing like during that period when it was constant. I'm still under followup a few times a year because my neuro-ophthamolgist thinks there's and early cataract there. I think it's a scar from ON or the vaseline thing 
. Whatever . . .
Anyway, I feel emotionally very stable, probably better than most people 
.
Hugs,
Maris
Hi Lisa - thanks for the words. The insight to the emotional aspect of ms before and after dx ... i relate to them and it helps.
you wrote "Situations are always in flux even if we don’t see the change. Sometimes the change lies within us, our attitudes, our outlooks, our emotions.
This struck home with me at this point in my life and gave a bit of hope when things feel stuck in alot of aspects. so thanks for sharing
Suz
Lisa,
As someone who loves the written word and cherishes its power to spirutally move and enlighten us, I applaud your essay on your emotions during diagnoses, etc. I felt your pain along with you, and also absorbed the path toward acceptance that you (and I) have embraced.
May we always accept who and what we are even with our MS. You are a shining example of living with MS and moving forward to enjoy a quality of life. Bravo!
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Excellent essay, Lisa.
I have found that I go through this process at every single stage of the disease. Each physical change / challenge requires an entirely new set of coping skills and adaptation.
I used to enjoy being up and ready for surprised, but the little 'surprises' MS keeps throwing my way are not really all that much fun......but they DO keep me alert!