[dshesq]

This is my first post to the forum. Some of you may recognize my screenname from other forums.

I'm here because I understand that it's a safe, open and honest forum in which I can express myself within the bounds of decency without fear of reprisal. I'm here because this forum has been recommended to me by other members who are very happy with it.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a former labor & employment lawyer who is now disabled. I've become a full-time soccer and other sports mom to my two teenagers. DH and I have been happily married for 19 years.

I have a variety of interests with photography being my primary focus now. If my children are in a sporting event you will find me on the sideline with my Nikon D70S. I have about 30,000 pictures stored on my computer, most of which were taken at sporting events! I've also been known to be a NASCAR and Indy Racing League junkie, but am equally comfortable taking in the Impressionist exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

I spent five years in limbo before being dx'ed on December 8, 2003. It was a long and windng road, along which I learned a lot about this disease and the diagnostic process. I often share my experience, hoping that others can learn from it and perhaps avoid the lengthy process I went through to get my dx.

Since my dx I've gone from RRMS to SPMS. I started out taking Avonex (how I hated those huge needles!) and am now on Rebif because my lesions continued to grow and my symptoms got worse while on Avonex. I am now a Rebif convert, not simply because the needle is so small, but because it has actually stopped the progression of my lesions since I started it.

I'm anything but shy. I won't hesitate to offer an opinion or advice. If I disagree with you, I'll let you know in clear but respectful terms.

I'm looking forward to participating in the NeuroTalk Communities.