Overcoming Fear by Continuing His Fight

Hello, my name is Ron. I have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but that doesn’t stop me from expressing myself. I like to say that my life has been a 3-round fight.

I took advantage of an opportunity to attend vocational training while still in high school and studied HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning). This became my career, and I loved all of the action. However, during the summer heat, I remember experiencing bouts of extreme fatigue. That fatigue showed up late in round 1 and that fatigue caused me to fall asleep at the wheel and roll my pickup on the highway. When it finally came to a rest, I was hit by an 18-wheeler and both trucks exploded in flames. I survived that round without spending a single night in the hospital, by what I believe was divine intervention. The accident that could have left me physically paralyzed instead left me paralyzed with fear.

I believe that all your life you will either be paralyzed by your fear or propelled by your faith. This began my lifelong battle of fear versus faith.

For the next 25 years, I worked and advanced in my career, all while experiencing extreme fatigue and right-side weakness. Several doctor visits over the years did not reveal a reason for the fatigue or weakness. Eventually, I reached the level of Operations Manager with a telecommunications giant. The demands were nonstop, and my pager and cell phone went off 24/7. Midway through 2008, I began tripping over unseen obstacles as I walked. I didn’t think much of it. But then on December 31 of that year, my right arm went limp, and I lost control of it. I thought I was having a heart attack or ministroke and contacted my primary doctor, who ruled out anything serious. She advised me to see a neurologist who did an MRI and CT scan. Two weeks later, everything changed. My neurologist called me into her office and told me I had relapsing multiple sclerosis. I freaked out. I thought MS was a death sentence. My neurologist advised me to start therapy as soon as possible, and I complied.

In the closing moments of round 2, while I was still intoxicated with fear, my sister was also diagnosed with MS. Greatly concerned about her, I knew that I would be no help to her still bogged down with fear. I thought about one of the survivors of the Titanic. When they were celebrating her 100th birthday, they asked her the secret of her longevity. Do you know what she replied? “When the ship began to sink, I got off.” And that’s what I did. I decided to get off the ship of fear and board the life raft of faith. I left fear behind and began taking a more active role in my healthcare. I realized that fear—not MS—was the bigger enemy.

The bell sounded and I headed into round 3. I knew that I needed to make some changes if wanted to win this fight. First, I changed doctors, because I wanted to be under a neurologist that specialized in MS. Secondly, I changed support groups because my first group seemed to be hosting their own pity party. I needed to be surrounded by positivity. Lastly, my doctor and I decided that I would try a new treatment when it became harder to remain compliant to my first therapy due to unwelcome side effects and the lack of motivation to stay consistent. Traveling with this treatment became burdensome as well.

My neurologist made me aware that MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) tablets was close to being approved in the United States. I was particularly drawn to the convenient dosing schedule. We discussed the screening and monitoring that would be required before, during, and after treatment, as well as the serious side effects of MAVENCLAD, including the risk of cancer, low white blood cell counts, serious infections, and liver problems. Once we found out MAVENCLAD was approved, we agreed it might be a good option for me.

So, I scheduled my first treatment with MAVENCLAD. I admit I was a little nervous, but I contacted my neurologist, and he was able to reassure me. I share this with you because it is so important to reach out to your doctor whenever you have concerns. With that said, so far, my experience with MAVENCLAD has been positive. MAVENCLAD has afforded me the pleasure of getting up and not having to remember to take a shot, which is big in my book. The dosing gave me more flexibility to travel and spend time with my friends and family, because I no longer had to schedule my life around the injections. However, I have had occasional headaches, but my doctor advised me to manage them by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Of course, my fight with MS is not done. I’ll always be in the ring with this opponent, but I’m not fighting alone. With support from my family, my neurologist, and a treatment that works well for me, I’m determined to stay in the ring and keep expressing myself with strength.