Multiple Sclerosis: The Many Faces of the Disease, is a non-fiction autoimmune disease story revolving around Suzanne McCuiston Bradley, my aunt and a woman plagued with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for most of her life.
In the beginning, the focus is on symptoms and early indicators of the disease. Tests to determine whether or not someone may be diagnosed with MS are examined. How many people in the U.S. have MS? Although the National MS Society estimates that about 400,000 people have the disease, no one knows for certain. This alarming number can have serious impacts on people with MS, as well as loved ones and caregivers.
A case study of Suzanne reveals her life and how she suffered from this debilitating disease. It shows how she was able to overcome in certain circumstances and how she was merely able to survive in other situations. Her life is discussed before and during MS. This story was originally about helping her find a cure, or at least relief. Later, it became about helping other people deal with the emotional and physical symptoms of MS. While one chapter is specifically about Suzanne, her battle is tied into the other chapters as well. She is used as an example whenever possible.
Four disease categories of MS exist, attempts are made to make a distinction between the various categories while demonstrating the category specific to Suzanne.
New treatments are always in the works. What treatment(s) works for one person may not work for another. Discussion occurs of Suzanne's treatment methods as well as various alternate treatments, including some still being tested. Also discussed are causes of MS and drugs and therapies to help relieve MS symptoms, since there is no cure.
Writing this book has taught me a great deal about this mysterious disease. It also helped me gain insight to the true life of my aunt. What I sought to learn was primarily what science could not yet answer: why this disease occurs and how to cure it. Despite the fact that these answers do not really exist, I wanted to learn as much as I could in the hope that one day they will exist.
In the beginning, the focus is on symptoms and early indicators of the disease. Tests to determine whether or not someone may be diagnosed with MS are examined. How many people in the U.S. have MS? Although the National MS Society estimates that about 400,000 people have the disease, no one knows for certain. This alarming number can have serious impacts on people with MS, as well as loved ones and caregivers.
A case study of Suzanne reveals her life and how she suffered from this debilitating disease. It shows how she was able to overcome in certain circumstances and how she was merely able to survive in other situations. Her life is discussed before and during MS. This story was originally about helping her find a cure, or at least relief. Later, it became about helping other people deal with the emotional and physical symptoms of MS. While one chapter is specifically about Suzanne, her battle is tied into the other chapters as well. She is used as an example whenever possible.
Four disease categories of MS exist, attempts are made to make a distinction between the various categories while demonstrating the category specific to Suzanne.
New treatments are always in the works. What treatment(s) works for one person may not work for another. Discussion occurs of Suzanne's treatment methods as well as various alternate treatments, including some still being tested. Also discussed are causes of MS and drugs and therapies to help relieve MS symptoms, since there is no cure.
Writing this book has taught me a great deal about this mysterious disease. It also helped me gain insight to the true life of my aunt. What I sought to learn was primarily what science could not yet answer: why this disease occurs and how to cure it. Despite the fact that these answers do not really exist, I wanted to learn as much as I could in the hope that one day they will exist.
