Since that fateful day of the diagnosis, I have been living the life of one who has Multiple Sclerosis.  There has not been one day that this disease has not been the focal point of my life since I was "tagged" with it.  It is all-consuming mentally.  I cannot get it out of my mind.  Physically, I watch for declines in my ability every conscious moment.  Even when I sleep, I awake mindful of my condition and always check my body movement skill for degradation.  It's a curse.

I have been taking the treatments, a daily dose of Baclofen, which is a central nervous system suppressant, and Copaxone, a daily injection to prevent further lesions developing on my brain and spinal cord.  I have had up days, down days and sideways days.  Along with the medications, I take yoga classes, acupuncture, see therapists, all of which is intended to help me cope with this progressive disease. 

Once the disease becomes part of your everyday life, people often call or ask "How are you doing?"  One such inquiry led my wife and me on a new path to battle this disease.

While showing a property in our real estate business, Melody ran into an old acquaintance from her days on Broadway as a dancer.  The topic of marriage came up, my name, and disease… and guess what?  This old friend of Melody's, a choreographer, had been diagnosed with MS in the early 90's.  He had diligently researched the disease and cures and ended up going to Hamburg, Germany.  When he departed for Hamburg, this person had lost 90 percent of his vision and had difficulty walking.  After two weeks at this clinic, his vision returned.  Two months later, the patient was playing tennis again.  This was pretty promising news!