PatientsLikeMe ™

 I remember having a tingling in my face. I went to one hospital they told me I may be coming down with Bells Palsy, they did not want to give me any medication for it was too strong. I was sent home and I slept the entire weekend. Monday morning my face felt really strange, so my mother came and took me to a differn't hospital. I remember entering the ER and vomitting by the bags full. The next time my memory serves me it was approximately a week later. The doctors had no idea what was wrong with me, all they knew is I looked as if I had a stroke and I was getting worse by the day. My left side was paralyzed, my speech and hearing was impaired. My right eye was unable to focus. It was literally stuck in the bottom right corner. My family, children and friends thought I was going die. I was hospitalized from 4/28/08 through 6/5/08 and given a series of tests such as x-rays, blood work, mri's, cat scans, and spinal taps. My spinal fluid was also sent to the Mayo Clinic. They first came up with a diagnoses of ADEM. Although I had leisions on my brain it did not attack my spine. I went through occupational, physical and speech therapy and was released wheel chair bound. I continued to progress uphill, so well that I ended up out of my wheelchair and had to no longer use a walker or a cane. Unfortunately, I had a second attack which took my vision in my left eye. It was then my neuro told me that it was Devic's and not ADEM.  I was then blasted wirh steriods to help restore my vision. I received my first treatment of rituxan, I am to receive my second following two weeks, I thank God for he brought me to and he brought me through. I have three loving children 23, 20, and 15, two boys and a girl. One is in school (Wright State) to be a nurse. I am currently on a disability from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office (Human Resources), for I still have impaired vision in my left eye and weakneness on my left side. I also expierence my left side shaking uncontrollably. My face has a  undescribable feeling. I  do plan to return yo work one day. This whole expierence has humbled me so that I would love to help others with Devic's how ever I can.