Thanks so much for the thoughts, everyone!

MrsD--I haven't even had anyone suggest the vaccinations thing. Very interesting. But unfortunately (or fortunately!) I don't remember the last time I had vaccinations. I think it was five years ago, and they were just regular boosters.

SallyC--you are exactly right on all counts!

Erin--you are right too. Tumefactive doesn't mean tumor. It's just a word they use to describe a single large lesion, especially in an MS context, because it is unusual to present that way.

Ann--thanks for the input, I'm sorry to hear you've been through a similar nightmare. I think you are right about having the same doc to follow me. I just need to find a good one. My six weeks of hospitalization brought me four different neurologists (I was transferred to a different hospital for rehab). And I have seen two MS specialists since. The first specialist was a total jerk and said there was no way this was MS and when I asked what he thought it was, he said i am a very complicated case and there is no way to tell right now. Rather than taking it on as a challenge or offering to help, he completely checked out. The next neuro I saw was equally rude, short, declared that this could absolutely be MS and said come back in a month. He rudely dismissed all my questions, told me to stop stressing out, and he'd see me again in a month. He spent about five minutes with me in total. I was actually quite shocked with his approach. Even if he doesn't know what is going on, he could have taken a little more time or at least been a little kinder. So I need to find a good doc. I am supposed to be getting a referral to Barrow's Neurological through a friend, so hopefully that works out better. I wish I could just drop the whole thing and avoid the neuros forever, but I guess that isn't realistic.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and support. It really helps.

Mandy