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I grew up in a town called Downers Grove, which is suburb located 30 miles west of Chicago . I was born the youngest of three, two brothers and myself. My parents, Rudy and Nita immigrated to the United States from the Philippines to offer their children broader opportunities in life. My father worked as an accountant and my mom was a registered nurse (surprise!).
To say I led an active life before multiple sclerosis would be an understatement. At age 3 was placed in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, swimming and diving classes.
At age 9 my parents decided that taxiing their children all over the Chicagoland area for our extra-curricular activities became very taxing. We all had to choose the one activity that we liked best. I chose to specialize in gymnastics. Under the tutelage of Aerial Gymnastics Club director, Don McPherson, I was able to become the best gymnast that I could be, along with learning to be a well rounded person. Don will always be my life mentor, confidant and coach.
At age 14, one week before the Illinois state meet, I sustained a left knee injury, which required total knee reconstruction. The doctors said I would never be able to do gymnastics again. I did not listen. With sheer determination, I rehabilitated my knee, and eventually earned a gymnastic scholarship to the University of Wisconsin in Madison . Just before entering the NCAA scene, my right knee was repaired via arthroscopy.
After competing in the NCAA for two years, I sustained a right arm fracture, which required surgical intervention. Needless to say, my gymnastic career came to an end. I was devastated. I felt as if my identity was taken away.
Little did I know these past experiences foreshadowed the perseverance and determination I would need later in life.
I focused on my nursing studies and eventually became a neonatal intensive care nurse. I enjoyed the NICU so much that I eventually entertained the responsibilities in management. The assistant RN manager position required 10-12 hour shifts, lectures, meetings, and staffing the unit. Even after a long shift, I was able to get my workouts in.
In June 1994, I started to experience headaches, dizziness, double vision, and fatigue. I was having new eyeglasses made at the time so I attributed the symptoms to my eyes adjusting. I also felt that if I found time to rest, the symptoms subside. As time went on, I had an excuse for every symptom I experienced. I had the glasses re-made four times and these symptoms lasted that whole summer. My internal medicine MD gave me the diagnosis of migraine headaches.
Months later, the symptoms still persisting I consulted an ophthalmologist I worked closely with and he sent me to a neuro-opthalmologist. I was diagnosed with "MS."
I barely even knew what those initials stood for given that my specialty was with infants. This disease had no cure. I was scared, confused, and didn't realize the grieving process I would have to endure. I was thinking I was going to be in a wheelchair within weeks. The neuro-opthalmologist told me to “just keep living my life like I do” and to see him in two weeks. That is what the doctor ordered so I did just that. I made my follow up appointment and I went to my sanctuary, the gym, to work out my frustrations.
At that time, I was engaged to be married, to my biggest supporter, Steve.
We met at Powerhouse Gym in Schaumburg , IL , he was the general manager and he was an amateur bodybuilding competitor.
A Powerhouse gym member, who had been living with the diagnosis for 17 years, suggested that I get a second opinion. In November of 1994 I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Dusan Stefoski at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's MS Center. He evaluated me clinically, along with my diagnostic results, and he stated he could not officially diagnosis me with MS. WOW, what a relief! At this point I was in remission. But in my mind I did not have multiple sclerosis, or could ever have it.
Four months later those symptoms reared their ugly heads, along with complete vision loss in my left eye. On March 18, 1995 , I was officially diagnosed with MS. I was hospitalized and put on steroid therapy. My first question to my neurologist was “I don't drink, I don't smoke, I exercise, I try to eat right, why me?” He told me this disease does not discriminate. After my first dose of steroid therapy my eyesight started to recover the next day, and my symptoms were starting to alleviate.
The high dose steroids gave me a complete “energy rush” and at that point, I found a stationary bike on the unit, and the medical staff allowed me to ride for twenty minutes…max. I was also able to do push ups and sit-ups in my hospital room with discretion.
Initially I felt I was going to “beat this!” I was cognizant of eating a clean diet, I would train more intensely , and I would do more cardio , only to realize the increased intensity would have me down for 3 - 7 days. I eventually learned to listen to my body, took responsibility for learning how this disease process affects my brain and my body, and I continue to search for a spirit, mind, body balance that will improve the quality of my life.
On October 28, 1995 , Steve and I married even after my mom forewarned him that this is a life long disease. I am very blessed that my partner in life experienced the competitive lifestyle…the intense training, dieting, the all consuming fitness lifestyle. He knows fitness helps me live my best life – my attitude, my well being, being strong despite living with ms.
Initially I went on the only approved therapy, at that time, which was a subcutaneous injection every other day. In July of 1996 Avonex was approved for multiple sclerosis. Avonex is a therapy which is given IM once a week. Avonex is not a cure for MS but it has been scientifically proven to slow the disease's progression. Yes, I was and still am needle phobic. But it is my best shot of staying out of a wheelchair.
1996 was learning process. I chose to gear up for the Powerhouse Classic. I had a difficult time accepting that I couldn't train as intensely or do gymnastics without becoming dizzy. That year taught me how to live and train in moderation, finding what nutritional substances were going to benefit my physique, and how train smart incorporating all aspects of fitness. The 3 rd place finish at the Powerhouse was not limitation, it became a motivation.
After 3 years of living out west, I vowed to get into the best shape of my life…the smart way. My goal was to compete in fitness at the Las Vegas Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Classic. Even though I was constantly reminded of having ms while training, I listened to my body. I would enjoy flipping around til my heart's content, but I knew I would be down for days. If I didn't complete the routine #'s I set out for that day, I practiced visualization. All the hard work paid off when I became the 2001 Las Vegas Open Fitness champion. When I was on stage receiving the first place trophy, I knew anything was possible, regardless of the adversities in life; it is all in a positive attitude.
The LV 2001 win qualified me to compete in the 2002 USA Fitness Championships, in which I was out of medal contention. But truly in my heart, it was a victory being on a national stage.
The 2003 Las Vegas Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships gave me the opportunity to improve my placing in the figure round from 3 rd in 2001 to 2 nd in 2003. If I play my cards right, my competitive days are not complete.
I have learned that if you have the determination and perseverance to achieve your personal goals in all aspects of you life, your dreams will come true.
Yes, multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease…but life is unpredictable.
Stay Well - Strong for Life!
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