Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis, MS for short, effects approximately 5 in 10,000 people, and my step-mom Kathy happens to be one of the unlucky few (Rogner 5). MS is a disease that strikes the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal chord. These two organs control the movement and function of the entire body. Inside the body of a person with MS the tube that sends signals throughout the body is either partially of fully blocked, leaving the victim with for starters, impaired vision, strength, and coordination (5). There are a couple of different types of MS, which include relapsing-remitting, primary-progressive, secondary-progressive, and primary relapsing (Kalb 5). The type that my step mom has is primary-progressive, which is considered the worst type of MS. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society a person with primary-progressive MS is "characterized by a gradual but steady progression of disability from the onset, with no obvious plateaus or remissions, or only occasional plateaus and minor, temporary improvements." In short this means that the symptoms Kathy is experiencing such as falling down due to a lack of coordination, tiredness, numbness, and bladder problems are only going to get worse
. But possibly the worst symptom of all are mental problems such as a loss of self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness. To help keep the symptoms of MS down to a minimum Kathy has been prescribed a drug called abonex. In order to administer abonex, Kathy has to give herself a shot once a week. The side effects of this shot are severe flue like symptoms for at least twelve hours after the shot has been taken. So once a week Kathy spends almost the entire day in bed, which not only makes her feel bad physically, but also emotionally. Kathy is the type of person who likes to get out and do things. Before she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis she would run five miles a day, just to get exercise, and when her legs didn't feel like running the entire five miles, before she would go to work she could be found on our Nordic Track getting her exercise for the day. Kathy has now gone from working sixty hours a week to forty, not including the almost weekly event of calling in and telling her boss that she is just to tired to come into work (Doyle). At one point Kathy was the top accountant at Hackley Hospital, now because she can't work as much, or as efficiently, she has become "just another accountant" (Doyle). This fact alone has really hurt her self esteem, just imagine bei
Some common words found in the essay are:
Doyle Sometimes, Sclerosis MS, Sclerosis Society, Grand Canyon, Hackley Hospital, Kathy Kathy, Nordic Track, Kathy Dad, MS Hopefully, multiple sclerosis, Doyle Kathy, shot week, five miles, bottom canyon,
Approximate Word count = 874
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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