Yo-Yo Life
John G. Young, M.D.
Diane did recover from her quadraplegia and depression six months later. She lost 50 lbs. and her hair grew back in. She was beautiful once more, and was able to swim, play tennis and ice skate. That lasted for about 6 years when she again developed paraplegia in her legs and weakness in her left arm.
We had moved to Boulder because the Florida schools would not respond to our daughter's hearing needs. But we had to sell the house we had just bought and fixed up one year later, because Diane could not climb the stairs to the bedroom.
She again went into the hospital, and had intensive chemotherapy with high doses of steroids, and reverse isolation to try to undo the paralysis. While on the chemotherapy she developed severe permanent neuropathic pain in her thighs. Subsequently she fell while on pain medications, and fractured several vertebrae which gave her even more pain and depression. We confronted the idea of rational suicide on two separate occasions. The dementia from the MS also became a factor.
She did recover some function in her legs, but her balance is poor so she needs a Canadian crutches to walk. She lives from day to day fighting these many curses with courage and kindness. She recently entered an intramuscular Avonex drug trial which so far only has given her severe flu and high fever symptoms for two days every week, and has not retarded the progression of her symptoms.
I never know what will be next with our yo-yo life.