Ayleiah

I am 46, almost finished nursing school. I was first dx'd with RRMS at 13 ( I wasn't told) and at 19/20 it was confirmed. I have a theory about MS that most wouldn't agree with but here it goes. I had a aggressive pituitary tumor removed in '93, and ended up with a serious csf leak ... long story short... 17 brain surgeries later including vp shunts for acquired hydrocephalus and shunt revisions many attempted surgeries to seal the cranial leaks I had several MS exacerbation's. I would worry that I would end up in a wheel chair or worse. I had a exacerbation after my 5th brain surgery that took my ability to walk, talk and breathe on my own. The tremors were so bad that I couldn't brush my teeth. I was in the hospital during all of this, my sister was the only one who could understand my speech, I asked for a priest... That night my husband was called by the hospital at 3:00AM to come and say good bye because they didn't think I would make it until the morning. I remember him begging me not to go, the next morning my sister came to the hospital and said to me "Connie I think your having an MS attack", because I had just gotten out of brain surgery I thought something happened during the surgery. I was on a different floor of the hospital than I was with the surgery so for some reason they didn't know I had MS.... later that morning, the doctor came in,and confirmed that I was having a MS exacerbation... I said to my sister in a normal voice ..." I can beat that!"... I spoke normally before the solumedrol was started which has led me to believe that we can control so much of our disease progression with our mental out look. I have had 2 bouts of O.N. since 1995 and I am doing very well. When I go to the hospital for anything I often forget to tell them about my MS diagnosis. I have some residual damage in my left eye and I have some foot drop. I am not on any MS meds however I am on Humatrope (growth hormone) and a tiny amount of testosterone (female dose) because I am Panhypopituitary I do believe it is helping me with the MS part of my life. I stay positive, I don't focus on any MS symptoms and if I get any I put it in my mind that this is my life, I'm going to live it and nothing is going to take it from me. I am also on 4000 units of vitamin D. Most people with MS are low in both vitamin D and Growth hormone. I am considered SPMS and I am not progressing.

I am late getting into the nursing thing because of the years spent in and out of hospital. Being a patient is the last thing most people want to do and the only thing on your mind is going home. I have had 17 neuro (brain) surgeries and I also have MS. The most recent stays have been for hyponatremia and I would get so home sick I would rip out the I.V. and beg my husband to pick me up, knowing full well that I couldn't go home and the i.v. would have to be put back in. The only advice for the patient is, if you can sleep, sleep. If you can't sleep "at all" speak to your doctor, being in the hospital with the different sounds, different beds etc can make achieving any sleep at all impossible. If you knit or cross stitch and are able to have it with you, bring it, or have your family bring it for the times that you are up to doing things but are still in hospital. Obviously books and magazines are great however those only last so long. Puzzle books like Sudoku are great for wasting time as well. Although it's hard to think of anyone else when you are hurting or ill, try to remember there is always someone worse off than you, yelling/ talking or laughing loud may wake a patient that hasn't been able to rest due to 10/10 pain.You're not the only patient your nurse has, if you are able/allowed to get out of bed for that warm blanket or for a bottle of water do so, or send a visitor for the item. I am not a good patient, and I find it upsetting because it is completely out of character for me to be mean or rude.... in saying that, try to remember the nurse is there to help you, try to be nice... :). My daughter told me what I said to an elderly lady in the elevator after a foot surgery ( I don't remember ( thank God)).. It was just after getting out of surgery and my family was taking me home. We were in the elevator and some elderly lady asked what happened to my foot, before my daughter could reply... I opened my mouth and told this nice lady to ("mind your %#@*#!&) business").. I am still embarrassed... When a person is in pain and anesthetic is involved, things are often said that are out of character, nurses are aware of this and take it with a grain of salt. The job of the patient is to get well...

I am a LPN student at Norquest in Alberta. I am doing good in my theory exams and I do find labs quite easy, however I have a HUGE problem, I have Multiple Sclerosis. When I mentioned it to a couple of my "lab" instructors they failed my "CIA" in one of my courses after I had assisted 2 bridging immigrant students that didn't know what to do... I showed them, they passed I didn't. I didn't understand however I took it again. Well I failed my clinical again after telling a teacher my situation ( they asked why I limp). I was under a microscope and wasn't even allowed to finish the clinical. Well the school is trying to kick me out of the program, I am appealing but I'm worried. I live in one of those distant communities and Edmonton is the closest place. I have already spent thousands and I'm not quitting. I don't understand how they can expel me when I am passing the course content and exams but am being judged unfairly during the practical part. I have a teacher that stepped in for me when they tried to fail the course for the 2nd time, she said, that I clearly know my stuff and she didn't understand why this was happening to me. If anyone has any ideas please let me know... I am desperate. I am in my 40's and have spent so much time being the patient for other things besides MS (which does not hold me back at all), I can't give up now this is my dream.

I have been a student at Norquest and I wish I had gone to a better school! I am a second year and am having some real issues with this school. Distance is very difficult, if you can go to a full time program, you will be a nurse that is way more prepared for the labs and clinical and the real nursing world. Good luck...

You will be required to write the nursing exam. I live in Alberta and the requirements are crazy...