June 2, 2013
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Bad News
So, for about four years now, my younger brother has had a mystery illness that has left him crippled. He can get around, but he hobbles and limps from place to place. He lives his life in a state of pain and discomfort, waking up every morning wondering if he is feeling good enough to go to work to make money for his family that day. It’s a shame because in high school, he was an all-star athlete. He was the best our school had in football, swimming, and track. It really is tragic to see him like this. He just hasn’t been himself for years now.
He’s seen many doctors and has been moved from hospital to hospital, doctor’s office to doctor’s office, he’s had false diagnosis after false diagnosis, and no one’s been able to tell him much of anything. He is now having some financial problems because he has too many bills and he is unable to work enough. On top of that, some doctors even insinuated and hinted that he is just a druggie looking to score pain and depression medication. If anyone really knows my brother, they would know that there is no chance he’s a drug addict. He just wants his pain to be taken seriously.
On Thursday and Friday, I drove him four hours away to the Cleveland Clinic so he could undergo some tests. We were pleased by the treatment he got there. It is one of the best hospitals in the world for a reason, I guess… While he was getting a spinal tap (one of his many uncomfortable tests), he received a call from one of the other hospitals he previously visited. An MRI of his brain showed that he may have multiple sclerosis. The spinal tap he happened to be taking should be able to tell for sure. He is scared by this news, but is also relieved that they are finally getting somewhere.
Please keep my brother in your prayers. He really needs them right now. He is only 26.
Now, I came back to hear my wife telling me that Xanga is shutting down. Feel free to send me a private message to let me know where I can find you all if that actually happens. I’ve grown to love so many of you and I would hate to say goodbye to so many important people in my life!
Comments (23)
I am so sorry to hear of the MS news, my step dads dad died of that before I was able to meet him. My grandma showed me somethings they had to do to help him and it is terrifying. I wish the best of luck to your brother in his recovery!
I’ll definitely pray for your brother. What’s his name?
Oh, and as far as keeping in touch goes, I made an entire blog post about it. Concerning my whereabouts, there’s no stone left unturned.
I’m subbed to you but I don’t know if you’re subbed to me. I sent a message about which blogs I’ll be using. There’s a slimmer of hope that Xanga might survive. They’ve already raised $15,000. Praying for your brother.
will pray!
My sort of prayer involves a bit of research. I will Check out about MS and maybe blog about that topic.
Be prepared to answer some questions and if you want maybe we can pledge a bit for xanga and your brother.
I’m so sorry for your brother
The worst thing is when doctors don’t believe you just because -they- haven’t been able to diagnose you properly. I’ll be keeping him in my prayers!
Sorry to hear that. My stepmom and my wife’s best friend both have MS. It’s extremely debilitating. But far better to know than to keep wondering why he’s so miserable. Blessings to all of you.
I will pray for your brother.
I hope the tests can at least tell him what is wrong. Also, I’ll write a blog post on where I might be moving my Xanga to if it does indeed shut down.
just passing by. i’m sorry to hear about your brother. will def. keep him in my prayers.
My mother in law has MS.
Jimmy, I am sorry to hear your news. I will gladly pray for your brother.
My next door neighbor is pretty young and was diagnosed with MS about three years ago. He is doing great! I don’t know what kind of treatments or drugs he is getting, but his MS is in remission and he’s out mowing the lawn and camping and doing all the things he used to do. I’ll pray that your brother is properly diagnosed and gets the treatment he needs to live a fulfilling and pain-free life.
I’ll pray for him for strength and healing.
My cousin just got diagnosed with MS. She’s 25 but is doing well so far now that she’s on the proper medicine.
Make sure you have your brothers hormones tested for low testostrone. The symptoms are almost the same and happened to me. Took almost ten years for me to figure it out because of repeated misdiagnoses with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Very painful and also very crippling and for some reason the doctors never seem to catch it for a big prejudace related to weight gain related to low t. I was having trouble walking and kept falling down, felt hungry all the time, always weak and kept breaking my ankles. The DR’s kept telling me to lose weight and never really taking it serious. I almost died and was taking 6-8 shots a day insulin. Even when I had my testosterone checked they would say it was fine for testosterone if tested at the wrong time of day can show a false positive for normal levels. Finally after many years on insulin shots I had my testosterone level checked in the late after noon rather than morning and it showed 69 when normal for my age was 4-800 and some say should be at 1000. After 45 days on Androgel I went from 8 shots a day down to one a day and i am almost off the 1 shot. Also the weight started just melting off. I started feeling full much quicker and not hungry often. No more constant constipation. A real amazing transformation all because a misdiagnosis. And the idea to have my tesosterone came from me, also the androgel came from me. No Doctor solved it, no one. This was like turning a switch on and all my organs started working again. No more trouble walking , no crippling weaknesses. I have concluded today it might have been related to the hormones given to cows to make them bigger and in the milk supply. What ever the cause it seems this condition is so new to the medical community they do not catch it. Hope your brother figures it out.
Brother RobertLeeRE
Best wishes to your brother.
Your brother is such a courageous man, all things. All things shall work for his good, no weapon formed against him shall prosper in Jesus name!!!
Be strong, broski
Oh no. I’ll keep him in my prayers – and your family, too.
@Foodhog - They’ve come a long way in MS treatments. Thankfully, if my brother does have it, he is being treated at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the best hospitals in the world!
@Jack_Hawksmoor - His name is Kelly. Thanks for the prayers
@musterion99 - I’ll keep track of you, and thanks for praying
@canadiansrock - Thank you
@PPhilip - Thank you very much
@firetyger - Thank you for praying. It’s been years, and his condition has just been worsening. How the doctors haven’t been able to see that is beyond me, but they are only human too, I suppose.
@Roadkill_Spatula - We are just happy they are getting somewhere!
You are a true friend.
@Ooglick - Let me know when that blog is up, and thank you for your prayers.
@konni - Thank you
@TheTheologiansCafe - My brother researched a lot on this. He said that 1 in 10 people have a family member with MS.
@Such_are_you - Thank you, Lonnie
@saintvi - Thank you for your prayers and the positive news about your neighbor. I told that to my brother and it made him happy that it can go into remission, if he does have it.
@petite_and_centered - I’m glad your cousin is doing fine. It’s a real shame that it tends to happen so young! Thank you for praying
@RobertLeeRE - Thanks for your input. He is getting tested for multiple things at Cleveland Clinic. They are very well known for not leaving any stone unturned.
@filtered_sunlight@momaroo - Thank you
@mellywelly15 - Thank you for the prayer
@BenelliMan - Thanks man!
@christykim - Thank you for praying
Blog on wordpress is a-go. ooglick.wordpress.com
I am so sorry to read this. I will pray for your brother. I believe in the power of prayer.
I’m sorry I am finding your blogsite so late…so close to Xanga possibly closing.
But I will remember you and I will pray for you and your family.
My kids are about your age…just a bit older…my youngest is 28.
Continued prayers as you continue on God’s path for your life!
HUGS!!!