Please pray for a fellow RN

Nurses General Nursing

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My closest friend, an RN, who is one of the most kind, caring people I've ever known -- has been ill for quite awhile. Many doctors/many unanswered questions. Went to a highly regarded neurologist "high probability for MS." She's having her spinal tap soon. One more question -- how has MS -- whether you have it or someone close to you has it -- impacted your life?

Please pray for my friend. One thing I wish for all of you out there -- you have someone in your life as wonderful as she is.

Sue

Prayers from here. My bestest friend was out of work for over two years, with some kind of infarct at the nerve root, paralyzing her right foot, and giving her a LOT of pain. She's been diagnosed with MS and with NOT MS at various times. It's frustrating and difficult for her.

She's doing better now - she can't do bedside nursing because of the limitations on how long she can stand, and she can't do office work because of limitations on how long she can sit. But she does home health nursing, where she does both, alternating.

I have several friends with MS - one friend who contracted it in her early 20's and died in her late 30's of complications, one (former special forces) who is wheelchair bound, incontinent and is beginning to have problems swallowing. I also have a couple of friends with MS who have the MUCh less serous type - one has problems with stumbling during exascerbations, and one has a bit of a change in her personality and judgment. But they're both doing very well, very productive and feel quite up to par 95% of the time.

Love

Dennie

Specializes in Hospice, LTC, CBRF, and Home Health.

Your friend will be in my prayers, if the diagnosis is confermed and it's Gods will, I pray the progression is a VERY slow one. I cared for a woman in her home who has MS and other than assistance with her AM and HS cares,(and hoyer use), she is an incrediable woman. With her electric wheelchair, there was almost nothing she couldn't do, and very few places she couldn't go on her own. She lived by herself and after her AM cares, she was on her own. I would see her alot all over town doing this and that. She is a very strong willed and (almost) totaly independant woman. All the best to your friend.

Specializes in CV-ICU.

Susanmary, a spinal tap is not going to help dx MS. An MRI would be more helpful; the MS lesions show up as UBO's-- Unidentified Bright Objects-- on the MRI.

My Hubby has MS and has managed to work for 14 years so far with the dx. I watch him like a hawk to pick up on sx of relapses ASAP so that we can nip it in the bud. I'm afraid that he is nearing the end of his ability to earn a living, though, but we have been very lucky to have him functional for so long.

I'll say some prayers for your friend that she may do well and find a treatment that helps (the MS Society and the MS Assoc. of America both have good websites).

I pray for strength for your friend and you too! Gilda

Jenny -- she had the MRI already -- two lesions on spinal column and one on the brain. Wonder why they are doing a spinal tap? Any ideas out there? She has had symptoms for years -- at least six. Thank you for your advise (actually thanks to everyone who has offered support/prayers.)

will add my prayers and thoughts to all those others how blessed you both are to have such friends

Peace be with you and your friend.

My prayers are with your friend, also...Maybe God will take into account all the wonderful things your friend has accomplished and show her the mercy and kindness only He can do...Also, bless you also for caring.

My prayers go out to both of you, may you be blessed.

Good thoughts and prayers...for you and your friend and all people living with chronic illness. (((HUGS)))

Originally posted by susanmary

Jenny -- she had the MRI already -- two lesions on spinal column and one on the brain. Wonder why they are doing a spinal tap? Any ideas out there? She has had symptoms for years -- at least six. Thank you for your advise (actually thanks to everyone who has offered support/prayers.)

susanmary:

I just read some new research that used the spinal tap to differentiate between relapsing/remitting and secondary progressive types of MS.

I was diagnosed by a neurologist who did not specialize in MS. He had a spinal tap done eventhough my MRI showed multiple lesions, brain, brain stem and spinal cord and symptoms over about 15 years. When I transferred to a neurologist who specialized in MS, he said that the tap wasn't needed and wouldn't have changed the diagnosis. I really didn't want the tap and pulled out research to show that it was no longer used as a diagnostic parameter for MS. One of the residents wanted to have yearly taps done. He didn't really have any rationale for that, just "seemed like a good idea" to him. He was thinking that somehow that would track the progress. An increase in UBOs on MRI and loss of function are really good indications of progression:idea: in my opinion anyway. I was happy when my neurologist agreed with me and no further taps were/will be done.

I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. It's a bumpy road and much easier with a companion.

Take care.

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