It’s been a while since I posted anything on here.

It’s hard to believe that a few months has gone by since my last post, however when I stop to think about it, it’s not that surprising. I’ve been dealing with a few things since taking Mavenclad in October of 2021, the pandemic has been challenging and I’ve been writing a lot. No excuse really except that I’ve been working hard at trying to live a full a life, despite the pandemic.

I’ve been keeping an eye on my health. I did have a recent health scare. Since taking the Mavenclad, I’ve passed out and blacked out three times. I thought it was the Mavenclad, but my neurologist isn’t sure that it’s caused by the cancer medication. They think it’s more than likely caused by something else…so basically, they don’t know what’s causing it.

I’ve had a few tests done to find out what might be causing me to pass out/black out, one of which was an endurance test where my blood pressure was examined. I also had to wear a heart monitor for two days. I still think it is being caused by the Mavenclad. I’ve never passed out or blacked out before, so what other cause could there be? Added to that, my family doctor told me that my blood pressure is really high, so there were tests done to find if that could be the cause. The high blood pressure is likely caused by all the medication that I’m on.

I have an in person appointment with my neurologist coming up at the end of this month. I’m trying to remain positive about the whole experience, but my last couple of appointments haven’t been all that great. My doctor told me that while I was on Mavenclad, all I had to be wary of was the possibility of infection; and yet the booklet they gave me about the medication had a whole list of side-effects.

They didn’t tell me what to expect after I took the medication either, but I was able to take time off from work and recover after the two rounds of Mavenclad that I took. During the appointment, there was one point where my neurologist actually mocked me. I’ve thought about not writing the last bit, but it’s the truth and my intent on writing this blog and being open about what I’m going through is to be honest with you dear reader and with myself.

My MS nurse even told me that while the Mavenclad will wipe away my immune system, there was no need for me to isolate, as long as I followed the Covid mask protocols. This from the same nurse that told me that I would have to be careful for three to four months while my immune system rebuilt itself.

After talking to my husband, and the mother of a friend who is a nurse, we decided to isolate for the duration of the treatment time. We knew that it wouldn’t be safe for me to be out and about in public safely until early February, so we made sure to stay safely isolated. It was a very different Christmas this year and, while we got to see everyone, virtual visits aren’t the same thing. Still, it was better for me to safe than sorry.

I feel like I’ve really had to be my own advocate. I think we all have to be in some way. If anything, Covid certainly has revealed the gaps in our healthcare and the care that we get from doctors and what is lacking in our health system. The MS clinic went from renewing my faith in medical science to being the reason I now distrust it. I have to take care of my own health and wellness and that includes mental and spiritual health, too. This is especially true because I’ll be going through my second round with Mavenclad this October and the whole thing starts again. Now there is one bright spot: after the second round this year, that will hopefully be it in regard to treatment.

Not quite a cure, but as close as one that I’ll get to in my lifetime. I’m thankful for that and the fact that I don’t have to take a daily needle or medication to halt the MS anymore, so that’s a plus. I’m still not sure what the Mavenclad has done to my body. I’m having a few leftover health issues, the most curious of them being that now riding in the car makes me feel sick. I’ve been told by friends that have been through chemo before that these effects can last for months after the treatment. At this rate, they will disappear right before I start my second round in October.

Either way, I’m grateful for wherever my journey takes me. There is so much in my life to be thankful for and I have to focus on that rather than the negative. I will keep being my own advocate and my own champion. I’ve got this, one day and one (or two) steps at a time.