This post was written by my daughter, Anna (Olson) Meyer. Today, October 13, 2014, is the 10th anniversary of her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. Read on about life from her perspective, and learn why we call this anniversary a Celebration of Life. This post is also being published on her blog, Smiles Squared<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n On this day ten years ago\u2026.my mother and I traveled an hour away from my hometown to visit my neurologist to receive my official diagnosis. The results from the spinal tap had come back, and finally, Dr. Nelson would tell us for sure if I had a pinched nerve, MS, or a brain tumor. He had given all three of these as possibilities as to why my entire left side had stopped working normally, but his theory was that I most likely had MS. That is what we knew before we got to Wilmar, MN. I was CONVINCED that it was nothing but a pinched nerve, and for some unknown reason my name had been on the prayer list at church for the last few weeks. Who cares if I had to rent a wheelchair to go Disneyworld? I went to Disneyworld! I\u2019ve also rented wheelchairs at zoos, and even the Minnesota State Fair. Those places take a lot of walking, and I don\u2019t quite have the energy to walk all that way. But I still got to experience it and enjoy my visits! Those places, by the way, have been the only ones I rented a wheelchair for. I can still walk! \u2026.just not super far. I\u2019ve been to the Wisconsin Dells and the Black Hills of South Dakota, just doing the tourist thing because I could. In high school, I went to a youth gathering with a church denomination, and had an AWESOME time with my cousin Jenni and my aunt Sheryl! In college, I went on TWO summer mission projects. Just because I have MS, doesn\u2019t mean I can\u2019t have fun! So I have to plan a little extra, and the south is typically a bad idea in the summer. I STILL LIVE LIFE.<\/p>\n The January after my diagnosis. I am second from the right, front row. You know, the one with the big smile? Actually, I started Tae Kwon Do in 4th grade. In 7th grade, I got my junior black belt. I was diagnosed with MS in 8th grade. In 9th grade, I got my 2nd degree junior black belt. After I turned 16, sophomore year, I got my first degree adult black belt. And senior year, I got my second degree adult black belt! I was involved in Tae Kwon Do for 8 years; 5 of those years after having MS. I remember difficulty in my first tournament after being diagnosed, but then I just focused on what I COULD do instead of what I COULDN\u2019T. I taught and I was a referee as my level advanced. I became inactive in TKD after I graduated high school, but I will always be a second degree black belt!<\/p>\n One of my college professors once told me that he had never seen such determination in a student. So I wasn\u2019t the best. Who cares? I did as best I could. I was DETERMINED to finish well and I learned a ton while in those college years. I wrote a post about what MS has taught me over the last decade or so here<\/a>.<\/p>\n At that time in my life, I had skill, because I was playing on these instruments all the time. I played a piece on the marimba<\/a>, the timpani<\/a>, some toms<\/a> (drums), the vibraphone<\/a>, and even flower pots<\/a>! (Videos of all these can be seen on YouTube.) I loved that season in my life, when I could go from instrument to instrument in the percussion section in an empty band room and just PLAY.<\/p>\n Even before I graduated, I\u2019ve been giving private lessons. According to some of my other music-major friends, I wasn\u2019t charging enough, but still. As soon as I graduated, I got on the substitute teacher list for a few different school districts. And when I got to Kentucky, of course, I began working at a music store\u2014giving lessons! And now I\u2019ve started up this Mary Kay <\/a>business! Before I was married, I paid my own rent, bought my own food, and loved when Mom and Dad came to Sioux Falls to take me grocery shopping. And now, I don\u2019t get many visits from Mom and Dad (because I currently live, like, 20 hours away), but I still get care packages of coffee brands that aren\u2019t sold in the south. (Thanks, mom!)<\/p>\n Only one I\u2019ve written is decent enough for me to want to publish it, but I do want to publish it! I also write shortstories and blog posts all the time. And other little things when I feel like it. I\u2019ve kept a journal since I was diagnosed! And things have just kept moving from there. I don\u2019t believe they will ever stop, either.<\/p>\n So I maybe didn\u2019t take into consideration that band instruments play better in flats than sharps. And that high school students can\u2019t pick up music as fast as college students. But I was so proud of that piece! I even published my college friends and I playing the piece here <\/a>on YouTube.<\/p>\n My handsome groom and I at our wedding this last July. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have had to push past the limits of where I would want to quit because something is hard. Being diagnosed so young (at 13), I had to face many decisions and situations that most teens shouldn\u2019t have to face. I thank the good Lord for my always-supportive family who helped me so much!<\/p>\n On this day in ten years, who knows what things I\u2019ll accomplish that I\u2019ll be able to remember? The thing about having MS is that though we have to plan a little more, sometimes sleep a little more, and maybe be careful of what activities we chose to partake in, we still live normal lives. I haven\u2019t felt normal for years, but I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. I would love to wake up one day and the Lord tell me, \u201cYou\u2019re cured!\u201d But I know that when people see me walking with a limp, unphased, it brings God more glory. <\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nOn that day, ten years ago, I was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I was started on some medical steroids, and I was shown how to use the Autoject for my three-times-weekly medicine shots, just under the skin. (It would be another year before I gave myself those shots\u2026.and, of course, I was bribed\u2014because what other way is there for a kid to be willing to do something unless they get something in return?)
\nSince my diagnosis, we have called the anniversary of that day my \u201ccelebration of life.\u201d It is the day when I can look back on a year and see all the things I have been able to do, even though I have MS. On this ten-year anniversary of this life-altering diagnosis, I reflect on the things I have accomplished in my life!<\/p>\n1. I\u2019ve been on all sorts of cool vacations and stuff.<\/h3>\n
2. In middle school, there were no cheerleaders, and I wanted to be one, so I petitioned and found a coach for middle school basketball cheerleaders!<\/h3>\n
![\"Anna](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/carolyncaresblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/CarolynCares-Anna-Cheerleader-1024x754.jpg?resize=793%2C583\")
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\nWe were moderately good. Our most difficult move was when one cheerleader stood on the thighs of two other cheerleaders, but we stayed safe. I wasn\u2019t really into watching sports, but I did notice that when our middle school teams had cheerleaders, the whole \u201ccrowd\u201d was pretty riled up. You know, for a middle school game. Smiley face. Of course, this cheerleading team kind of left the middle school when I did. I always wanted to be a cheerleader. Our high school had football cheerleading, but by that time, I just wanted to play in the pep band. (We see why I became a music major?)
\nI was also on the golf team for a few years before the walking became too much for me and I acknowledged that I wasn\u2019t that great. But it was fun!<\/p>\n3. I got my black belt!<\/h3>\n
4. I finished high school AND college.<\/h3>\n
5. I played a senior recital of percussion music.<\/h3>\n
6. I\u2019ve had a \u201cgrown-up job\u201d since I graduated.<\/h3>\n
7. I\u2019ve written, like, four novels.<\/h3>\n
8. I wrote music for a class in college and directed an ensemble playing it in church one time.<\/h3>\n
9. I GOT MARRIED!<\/h3>\n
![\"Anna](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/carolyncaresblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/CarolynCares-Anna-and-Doug-1024x683.jpg?resize=793%2C528\")
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Photo by tony miller photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\nJust this last summer, if you are keeping up with me at all on this blog. (I\u2019ve kinda talked about it a lot\u2026.) Never did I ever think I would meet a man who saw ME past the MS that has been so apparent in my life. I have a limp, which is the most obvious symptom to the world and the first turn-off to anybody who sees that instead of me first (which is pretty much everybody). But Dr. Wile E. Coyote, while he notices my limp, only notices if it\u2019s a bad day or a good day and helps me stretch sometimes. Or if he\u2019s walking with me, and I pull him around. (He\u2019s not as sturdy as my sisters when they\u2019ve walked with me, hehe.) I love Dr. Coyote, my best friend, and he is what I need. But God knew that. And I am privileged to be starting this med school journey with him and trusting the Lord until graduation, and beyond! (Like, forever. Every. Minute.)<\/p>\n10. I have become stronger than I thought possible.<\/h3>\n
\nAnna E Meyer<\/p>\n