Ok, that was a brief overview of the first 30 years of my life. No need to go into any more detail. I want to concentrate on the last 2 ½ years and what is still to come… here’s what went down so far.
My 30th birthday was approaching. My girlfriend was going to be out of town, so was most of my family. Thus, I decided to go to Piedmont with five of my best friends. The plan was simple:
- drink good wine
- eat good food
- have a blast!
Everything went according to plan – we had a great time!
Back home, I got straight back into my daily routine. Work – study – workout – repeat!
At my first workout since turning 30, the instructor had a great WOD (‘workout of the day’ if you don’t know the lingo :-P) planned – weighted deadlifts, my favourite kind of exercise! I totally ignored the fact that my body was still recovering from its last injury and wasn’t used to the intensity or weight anymore. At home that night, I was knackered, but it felt so good. I remember trying to avoid the inevitable with the Blackroll. It felt good to be able to work out and to be working on my fitness again. I was even looking forward to my sore muscles the next day (I know, I know…).
I am not a morning person and usually get out of bed about 25 minutes before I need to leave the house. This morning was no different.
I can't remember when I noticed something was wrong, but the entire left side of my body was numb. It was a very bizarre feeling. I could walk, but I could not hold a piece of paper in my left hand. I literally couldn’t grasp it. It was as if someone had drawn a straight line down the middle of my body and everything on the left side had just "fallen asleep". I assumed, I had trapped a nerve during the workout and went about my day.
The next morning, my left side was still numb. Thinking it was a bit weird and wanting to work out that evening, I called my doctor.
Luckily, I got an appointment for that same afternoon. In the waiting room, I was still convinced it was just a trapped nerve and everything would be back to normal in no time. After they x-rayed my back, I was called in to see the doctor. He told me that he hadn’t seen anything ‘abnormal’ on the x-rays. All the while, there was a third person in the room with us. As it turned out she was a medical student. My doctor asked me if it was ok, if she performed the examination first. That was fine by me (as long as she wasn’t going to cut me open).
I took my t-shirt off and presented my Adonis-like body – ok, ok, maybe more Laughing-Buddha! She tested my sensation of warm and cold, my eyes, and whether I could differentiate between blunt and pointed objects. Today, I know these tests all too well, but at that time, they were very new to me. I didn’t know what she was looking for.
My doctor returned and repeated all the tests again. He explained that he wanted to run some more blood work. As I was getting dressed, my doctor asked the medical student what her thoughts were. Of course, she wanted to make a good impression and showcase her knowledge. Then I heard: “it could be cancer or a brain tumour”.
Come again?!?
I usually have a big mouth and I like to gloss things over, but I couldn’t hide my initial reaction. My doctor noticed and tried to reassure me. He explained that there was a possibility, but that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Hmmm… that was the first time, I had a bad feeling. I had never even thought along those lines, but now I couldn’t shake it off. Before I left the doctor’s office, they drew my blood and scheduled me in for a MRI scan.
Cancer! Brain tumour! WTAF?!?
I guess it is all downhill after 30…
it was supposed to be a stupid saying, a joke, because, like Peter Pan, I would have liked to stay young forever.
I didn’t want to burden anybody and show that I was worried. Luckily, our traditional lads’ trip to London was just a week away.
Out with the lads and with a pint in my hand, I was able to push my health problems to the back of my mind. At least, for a little while! After one too many, I dropped the bomb. I made a couple of jokes and tried to play it down. At the same time, it felt good talk about it. We talked about it briefly, but soon went back to business as usual – beer and football.
After returning from London, I pretty much went straight to the hospital for the MRI. The next day, I got the call from my doctor. Cancer and brain tumour had been ruled out. However, he wanted me to have more tests done. Apparently, my blood work showed a vitamin B12 deficiency. Due to this and the intracranial images, I had to have my spinal fluid tested. Because of my family history and losing my father to cancer and the fact that an enzyme in the stomach is responsible for unbinding the vitamin B12, my doctor also suggested a gastroscopy.
So, I was given an 8.00 am appointment for the gastroscopy and a 9.30am appointment for the lumbar puncture.
At home, I told my family about the test results and the apparent vitamin B12 deficiency. As my mum worked in the endoscopy unit of the hospital, she would be accompanying me to the examination.
It was also around this time, that I consulted Dr. Google for the first time (I know, I know… bad idea) and came across Multiple Sclerosis. I had no idea what it was, but it sounded bad….
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