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Why I Walk in the MS Walk

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 New Millennium

After I had my son I decided I wanted to get back into shape.  I hired a personal trainer and began my quest to "bring sexy back".  There was only one small problem, I kept getting dizzy while I was exercising.  Naturally, my trainer was concerned and insisted I see a doctor.

I went to my doctor and since I had, had an episode of vertigo in the past they decided to throw the test book at me.  I had CAT scans, MRIs, stress tests, and pulmonary function tests.  All was well with my heart but they found abnormalities on my CAT scans and brain MRIs.  They were batting around different diagnoses at the time: brain tumor, migraine headache scars, lupus, sarcoidosis, lyme disease, and multiple sclerosis.  To say I was overwhelmed is putting it mildly.  I did more tests including a spinal tap and numerous blood tests and was sent off to the specialist.

Eventually we narrowed it down to multiple sclerosis.  I was stunned - no one in my family had autoimmune issues (I now know that this is not the case).  The decision about how to treat the MS was the next hurdle.  The treatments involve injectable medications and many have unpleasant side effects.  My neurologist and I decided on a less aggressive treatment approach.

Though I carry this diagnosis I realize how lucky I am because it does not have a humongous impact on my physical functioning on a day to day basis.  My symptoms involve chronic fatigue which is exaerbated by heat, occasional numbness, and occasional dizziness.  My MRIs continue to look good and do not show a progression of the disease from the first MRI almost 5 years ago.

It does however, impact my emotional functioning because I have to live each day with the uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds for me physically.

Last week I experienced blurred vision.  This was the single most frightening experience I have ever had.  I was immediately faced with the fear that I could lose my sight to MS.  As it turned out, my vision difficulties did not last long and were probably unrelated to MS.  However, it reminded me how quickly my health could take a turn for the worse.

I registered to walk in the MS walk in 2009 for the first time.  It gives me a chance to celebrate my mobility and good physical functioning as well as help to raise money for research.

I promised myself that as long as I could move I would walk in the MS walk.  It's my way of trying to help rid of the world of this unpredictable disease.

Last year we managed to put together a team than included some of my friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.  My good friend Bridget McGee, Mortgage Mama walked with us too.

I would like to invite you all to join us on the walk.  Wouldn't that be a fun AR gathering while we all got some exercise and worked for a good cause.

If you aren't local, I hope you will consider making a donation to this cause that means so much to me.

MS Walk 2011

Bowie MD

April 10, 2011

Team:  Road Warriors

 

 

 

Posted by

If you or someone you know would like information about buying, selling, or renting a home in Prince George's, Montgomery,  Charles, Calvert, Anne Arundel, Howard, and/or Baltimore Counties please contact Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh of Century 21 New Millennium.

 

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Donations made to charity with every successful closing!


Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh

Century 21 New Millennium

www.LiveinPGCounty.com

staceyannbaugh@gmail.com

240-481-3565 (C)

202-546-0055 (O)

 

FINALLY!  A DOCTOR WHO MAKES HOUSE-CALLS!

 

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed! 

 

 

 

Comments (9)

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

You do walk for a good cause I do the same for my son who has Juvenile Diabetics it takes us all working together to support a great cause.

Mar 08, 2011 09:06 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Dr. Stacey-Ann ~ Your post really caught my attention.  First because my mother had MS from the time I was 2 yrs old and second, because I have had 2 bad cases of vertigo, which also prompted me to be checked for MS.  Fortunately, they were isolated incidents.  I'm a strong supporter of the MS Walks and my heart goes out to you in fighting this disease. 

Mar 08, 2011 09:51 AM
Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee
SWBC Mortgage 410-960-2061 - Baltimore, MD
Maryland Mortgage Mama NMLS#196068

Stacey, I have just joined your team.  Thanks for sharing your story. I hope you can get a ton of people to join us.  I will re-blog!

By the way, why is there no registration fee?  That makes no sense for a fundraiser!  I'll figure out how to donate...

Bridget "Maryland Mortgage Mama" McGee

Mar 08, 2011 11:07 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Stacey-Ann, good luck to you on your walk! MS is one organization I donate too, I know a few people who have MS and I support you and all the walkers to find the cure.

Mar 08, 2011 12:13 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

You go girl! I will pray for your health and for your walk for MS! You rock!

Mar 09, 2011 03:42 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Dr. Stacey, I will be routing for you as you walk yourself and others to good health.

Margaret

Mar 09, 2011 11:21 AM
Dave Gubler
Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch - Lake Forest, CA
Realtor | Orange County

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis Stacey, though it sounds like you are coping with it well. 

Mar 10, 2011 05:34 AM
Martha Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Reading this I now realize why some of the things I wrote on my blog on spring renewal hit a cord with you. What a trooper you are to be carrying this disease and doing so well with it. I am going to read up on the walk and see if it is something I can do with you. If not I will at least be donating to your cause. :0)

Mar 11, 2011 11:18 AM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

Pat - Good luck with the Juvenile Diabetes walk.  That's another awesome charity

Melinda - Thank you.  I'm glad your vertigo turned out to not be MS

Bridge - I look forward to walking with you again this year

Mary - thanks for the support

Joni - thank you, that means a lot to me

Margaret - it is an empowering experience

Dave - I cope ok most of the time :-)

Martha - Your post definitely resonated with me.  I hope you will be able to walk with us.  It would be a great chance to spend time with you.

Mar 11, 2011 11:31 AM