31 Days of MS: I’ll Go on Adventures Until It Becomes Impossible

Photo courtesy of Julie Tovar

Day 27 of 31

This is Julie Tovar’s (@theadventuresofsamandjulie) story:

My journey started in December 2019, as I was planning my February 2020 wedding. I had developed a limp and was experiencing unusual symptoms along with lots of pain. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to walk down the aisle which is what prompted me to call my doctor.

My GP told me I likely had a pinched nerve, but in my gut I knew it was something more, so I got a second opinion. The next doctor ordered an MRI and got me in touch with a neurologist. He was quick to put me on a heavy steroid regimen and after a few weeks, I was able to walk limp-free down the aisle to marry my best friend.

Ten days after the wedding, I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. The doctor told me I had likely been misdiagnosed for about five years. Five years?! My immediate reaction was “this is terrible news, how am I going to live a full life with this diagnosis? How could my body betray me like this?”

It was then that I realized it was actually amazing news! You see, my husband and I are avid travelers and adventure seekers. Instead of thinking life was over, I realized how much I had accomplished before I was diagnosed. I hiked in the Himalayas WITH MS. I dove the Great Barrier Reef WITH MS. I white-water rafted in Alaska WITH MS. The list goes on! I had gone on all my crazy adventures while living with MS. This made every bucket list item checked feel like I had conquered the world.

Now when I travel, I plan around my infusions and make sure I have healthy limitations when it comes to physical challenges since I’m prone to injury. I plan to continue traveling until it becomes impossible.

If you are newly diagnosed with MS and feel like your life is over, I want you to know that it’s not. Your journey is likely different from mine, but just know there is an amazing community of people who are here to support you. Choose joy, stay curious, and keep on keeping on!

Multiple Sclerosis News Today’s 31 Days of MS campaign will publish one story per day for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories like this, using the hashtag #31DaysofMS, or read the full series.