Tells us about yourself.
My husband, George, and I have been married for 17 years and have five kids: Mayme, (15), Andrew, (13), Hattie Jane, (11), Polly, (9), and Georgia Claire (6). I am a former high school English teacher and dance coach and he is a former history teacher and football coach. George is now the principal of Owensboro Catholic High School and I am a consultant with Rodan + Fields skin and hair care.
Tell us about your Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2002 when I was 22. It was November and I needed a physical before I could student teach the next semester in January. I explained to the on-campus physician how every time I looked down, put my chin to my chest as if buttoning my pants, there was an intense electrical shock sensation that went down my spine and my arms to my fingers and down even to my toes. It didn’t hurt necessarily, but it was odd and I thought should be mentioned. The doctor looked in his medical dictionary and read that this symptom (Lhermitte’s sign), could be related to, but may not be, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and a lot of other possibilities. He suggested I have an MRI. I called my mom and told her the news, and said it could wait until Thanksgiving, because I’ll be home soon. During this time, I could run, jump, had a job at a local pizza place, and was even dancing for an indoor football league in Lexington. I was not scared, and kept on going!
After an MRI, the neurologist read the report and images of my brain and spinal cord. I do not know how many lesions (white spots) were there, but enough for him to want me on steroids to calm the inflammation. By Christmas break, my neurologist ordered a spinal tap, and the fluid taken from my spine confirmed the diagnosis. I had never even heard of MS, and when I looked it up, I quickly looked away, because NOTHING positive was mentioned about having this disease. I was studying to become a high school English teacher and dance coach, no room for a bad attitude! In 2003, when I was student teaching, I began taking medication for MS. I still take medication and have been on five different drugs, injections, pills, now infusions specifically treating MS.
How does your diagnosis affect you as a mom and the way you raise your children?
Raising my kids is something I absolutely cannot do on my own. I think before, when I could walk easily, and go and do, I wanted to do everything on my own. HOWEVER, it is not possible for me with this disease. I cannot independently walk on my own. I now use a walker. I haven’t held a baby and walked, since baby #3, maybe #4. With Georgia, who is so small, I still cannot safely carry her.
Tell us more about Georgia.
In 2016, on November 1, when I was pregnant with our youngest, Georgia, I was admitted to the hospital because I was having difficulty walking. Georgia came into the world on December 1. She was not due until January and spent 10 days in the NICU to regulate her body temperature.
On December 10, Georgia was released to go home. I remained in the hospital because I was unable to care for her or myself. Someone bathed me, brushed my teeth, my hair, dressed me, and even fed me. I literally saw the beast that Multiple Sclerosis is and can be for so many people living every day with this disease. I was in the hospital for 56 days.
Georgia, sometime between day 1 to day 15, contracted RSV. RSV is a is a common cold in adults, but deadly in babies. Georgia was premature, and slept A LOT! Her RSV was undetected until it was almost too late. She was in our ER on December 20th fighting for her life, and transferred to Kosair in Louisville and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. She is now 6 years old, non-verbal and immobile. She goes to Foust Elementary school where she receives incredible care!
How do you remain positive and grateful despite life’s challenges?
I remain positive about our lives because I know we are so blessed! It is HARD many days and many more hard days will come as our family continues to God-willingly, grow older. YET, how we treat one another, others, and ourselves is our legacy to the world. It is important that this legacy of life be a positive one. One of faith, perseverance, growth and love!