Life With MND
Pauline
My name is Pauline. I am 56 and I was diagnosed in July 2005 after three uncertain years. My symptoms began fairly inocuously and I dismissed them as being associated with age. Silly really as I was 50-ish at the time! I was extremely fit, going to the gym about six times a week.
Symptoms have spread to my arms, making me somewhat bitter but determined to struggle on.
Initially diagnosed with a spinal cord cyst I underwent a massive 'open spinal cord procedure' with horrific side effects, culminating in a one stone weight loss in a week!
My leg symptoms persisted and worsened forcing further MRIs and a diagnosis. I was devastated. The next day I was convinced that I had bulbar symptoms and swallowed about 1,000 times, straining my throat!
Surprisingly, I came to terms with it quite quickly and, after three months, was diagnosed as having PMA (we went to celebrate me not having ALS!).
Symptoms have spread to my arms, making me somewhat bitter but determined to struggle on. Last year I fell and fractured my femur - not ideal! I did a bungee jump in SA in January and am about to take delivery of an all-terrain wheelchair and a 'drive from wheelchair' second-hand car.
I still work full time as a Pharmaceutical Market Research consultant from home. My motto? Don't let the b****r get you! Life must go on...
My leg symptoms persisted and worsened forcing further MRIs and a diagnosis. I was devastated. The next day I was convinced that I had bulbar symptoms and swallowed about 1,000 times, straining my throat!
Surprisingly, I came to terms with it quite quickly and, after three months, was diagnosed as having PMA (we went to celebrate me not having ALS!).
Symptoms have spread to my arms, making me somewhat bitter but determined to struggle on. Last year I fell and fractured my femur - not ideal! I did a bungee jump in SA in January and am about to take delivery of an all-terrain wheelchair and a 'drive from wheelchair' second-hand car.
I still work full time as a Pharmaceutical Market Research consultant from home. My motto? Don't let the b****r get you! Life must go on...
