A breath of fresh air...

After leaving Mayo Clinic yesterday, as I was walking to my car, I took a deep breath. I can't remember the last time I did that without being provoked by a stethoscope on my back listening to my lungs.

It was truly a breath of renewal. You see, my Mayo appt yesterday left me with, for the first time in a year, a sense of optimism and hope. The doctors believe that my M.S. can for this moment be classified as benign. Everyone in the cancer world that I work in, knows the word benign is one of the most beautiful words in the English language. And now that word has a meaning to my M.S. It is just as it sounds. The M.S. that I have is slow right now and the only better news I could have received was that it miraculously disappeared. I know that is what many people are praying for anyway...

It was relieving to hear that after a full year I really only have 1 brain lesion, 1 spine lesion and then 1 lesion that was on the optic nerve. This is truly excellent news. Typically M.S. patients have 5-10 new lesions on their brain at every MRI scan. Yes, treatment can help the process but it can't stop it so these lesions can pop up even without symptoms. I don't know if the latest brain lesion is linked to my recent short term memory loss but perhaps. It is however, something I can live with at this time.

I want to extend my absolute gratitude to the doctors at Mayo Clinic who took interest in my case and made time to fit me so quickly this month. I feel honored to have such exceptional care at my finger tips in Minnesota. Those of you who access the Mayo system, I hope you know what a gift you have in front of you. Whether it be outstanding research and life saving treatments or just exceptional brand awareness, I believe in the business of Mayo Clinic and the reputation they have built world-wide. It is humbling to receive such good news at my visit yesterday knowing full well that there were people in that very same office who were not receiving good news.

Friends, I am sitting here taking another deep breath and pinching myself because I just can't believe my good fortune. Yes I have M.S. that fact will live with me til there is a cure but I can live in hope that the disease will remain dormant in my body and cause little interference in my life.

What a great day.