MS Timeline

We have started a blog that will track Keith’s journey with MS.  I am definitely not a writer but it will be nice to have everything written down in one place. Hopefully someday we will be able to look back and see how far we’ve come, what it took to get there, and how God’s hand was evident in all of it.  Feel free to check it out and to pass it on!

1997ish
We were married, had Jacob, and living on a dairy farm in Byron Center.  Keith started having double vision. He saw his doctor and had an MRI.  At the time they said it could be Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  Keith had a week of steroid injections at Holland Hospital.  Double vision went away and he felt good for a lot of years. We figured it wasn't MS.
We had Lucas in 1998, moved to Olive Center (North of Holland), then had Jaden in 2001, and Josiah in 2005. Yes, we have 4 boys!!
2010ish
Double vision returns. Saw an eye doctor and was given glasses with prisms.  Doctor suggested being seen by a medical professional.  Keith being a typical man, passes on getting checked out by a medical doctor. Looking back, most of his symptoms he has now probably started out around 2010, but he figured he was getting old and slowing down. (He was only 40.)
2014
Legs started getting weaker. Vision is getting worse.  Fatigue sets in.  December 9, Nichole spends 2 weeks at Butterworth Hospital with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
2015
While meeting with Nichole's neurologist we started asking him about Keith's symptoms.  He also suggests being seen by a medical professional. We get Keith into a neurologist, and he receives his first MRI of his brain on February 26.  Lesions are found on his brain and another MRI is ordered of the spine, March 12. More lesions found on his spine.  Lumbar puncture on March 26. Spinal fluid abnormal.  Diagnosed with MS on April 7. More fatigue, weakness, double vision, tingling, numbness, brain fog, slowed/slurred speech, trouble walking, trouble standing in one place, etc. April 21, started Gilenya  - the medicine prescribed to help stop the progression of MS. Gilenya should start working in about 3-6 months. Only $5,000/month. Insurance picks up the tab.  PTL!
And that is our timeline of the progression of Keith's MS. Keith feels like the progression has leveled off, hoping the Gilenya has started its job.