Everything happens for a reason...

This past week I have learned that everything happens for a reason. There is a reason why we came down here to dental school (not only because Scott worked hard and got in) but because of the events that have transpired over the last couple of days.

About two weeks ago I woke up to my vision going really blurry in my right eye, pain with eye movement and it really started to bother me. I started to get a little worried and decided I would go to the optomotrist. After going there I was told to go to an optomalogist. Through our insurance getting to a specialist can be very difficult and thankfully to a very persuasive husband I was able to get into the specialist the next day. After about 40 minutes of waiting and Taycee showing off to all the older people, we finally got to see the doctor. We told him what was going on and immediately he told us we needed to head to the St. Joseph's hospital to be seen and there was a chance my eye sight might not come back because I had waited so long to see a doctor. Immediately panic went through my whole body. What was going on? I had no idea and I was freaking out. We left the office frantic, called my parents and were on our way to the hospital. After spending two nights in the hospital and having a spinal tap and two MRI's they finally diagnosed me with multiple sclerosis. They gave me 5 days worth of steriods to get my vision back because I also have what they call optic neuritis which is a symptom of MS. I have noticed improvments in my vision but they can say it can take up to 6 months to fully recover so right now I am hoping for a full recovery.

Honestly, I was scared to be diagnosed with MS and the whole time while I was getting my MRI I kept praying over and over that everything would be ok. Scott and I had been researching things on the internet trying to figure out what was wrong, so MS was something that we had read about, and new it was a possibility to have. While I was getting my MRI I had this overwhelming feeling come over me that said Natalie, everything is going to be okay. I knew after that that I was going to be okay and no matter what I had, I could live with it.

So as of right now we are waiting to hear back from one more test and then we will meet up with the Doctors down here to figure out the best plan for treatments. I say everything happens for a reason because there is no better place we could be at right now then right here in Phoenix AZ. The hospital we went to specailizes in neurological disorders and there is an amazing MS doctor here. I am thankful that we know whats going on with my body and am ready to start treatments and start fighting it.