Diagnosis

By the time I start my new job I have it confirmed that the CSF showed oligoclonal bands and that, along with the other testing confirms that I have MS.  So despite the wearing of big girl pants and this really being confirmation of what was already expected its a bit of a teary, frustrating and angry time.  

I have more questions than ever – how will this progress, how long can I do the things I love for, should I tell the new work, who should I tell, who needs to know, can I still have another tattoo, will I be able to race a canoe across Canada again, when will I be in a wheelchair, will I need a stannah stairlift, can I get a blue badge to park closer to the river, can I have a disabled persons railcard to get cheap rail travel and the big one WHAT NOW.

As I now have a diagnosis of an acute condition I am referred back to the NHS and oh what inefficiency.   Hospital no 1 loses the referral, twice, so an approach is made to another hospital with a specialist clinic for MS

I soon see a Consultant Neurologist and their boss and they confirm, with all of the results and scans that I can give them and some examination that yes this is MS.  I will be contacted by nurses and all other bits of the team there so we can set up treatment as they advocate starting early.