I was channel surfing when I saw Montel on the screen, so I stopped surfing for a minute to check it out. And I was glad I did. Many of you may know that Montel Williams is a fellow Multiple Sclerosis sufferer. The show he was on was the Oprah Winfrey Show. If any of you didn't catch it, I can vouch that it is a must-see. His story is very similar to mine and so many others with this disease who have to say so often "You just don't understand" or "You just don't get it". His description of the the rollercoaster of emotions that one goes through living with MS, especially upon diagnosis was spot on. Montel was was his telling about how you have to learn so much on your own, and how much they don't tell you about the disease. I should have gotten MY clue that this was the case when my doctor advised me in his most serious tone that a lot of how I would do as a patient had to do with my mental atitude before he sent me off to the neurologist for treatment.
I am only a few months into an actual diagnosis, but I have quickly learned a LOT about this disease that I just simply had no idea before. A lot of scary stuff and a lot of crap-symptoms, dealing with the diagnosis while unemployed and unsiured, and more. All while trying to maintain my sanity and deal with the emotional ramifications this horrible disease can bring with it. This is while while simultaneously coping with the symptoms of the disease and the side effects of the medicine.
There is a significant portion of MS patients who choose not to take the shots. I am not real clear on why this is. I know some of it is financial. I am pretty sure some of it is due to side effects, and I am sure others choose to go off for different reasons. I am not sure how I am going to tolerate it yet either, it is so early yet. Let's just say I am doing a lot of praying right now.
If any of you are interested in checking it out, Montel's book is called "Living Well Emotionally". I am going to see if my library has a copy. If any of you saw the Oprah episode or read the book, I would be interested in knowing what you think. Here is a link to the Oprah site where you can read more if you are interested:
Anyway, back to Montel. I also felt he really hit the mark on the potential prognosis, even with treatment. It really matters not how my particular case will progress, it is still always in the back of my mind, (if not the front), worrying me. I did miss the first 15 minutes of the show because I didn't realize he was on.
His message wasn't necessarily doom and gloom, but of education and awareness. Those with MS live with much greater rates of pain, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts than most people realize or understand. I felt he delivered a positive awareness message for both patients and those who know or love them. and it is an important one.
