*KaitlinsHospitalStay

Hello! Most of my family knows that I have hypothyroidism and blanket fibromyalgia diagnosis. I've neuropathy in my hands, feet, and legs for years. My endo had never thought it necessary to have an MRI done to see if there's anything neurological. 4 years ago my ANA was negative, two days ago it was positive, thankfully I'm negative for Lupus, Sjorgen's, Scleroderma, and any connective tissue autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately that makes my case for MS stronger. Monday night at work I felt something at the base of my skull and a numbing sensation started to creep up the back of my head to my ear only on the right side. Next my right arm and right leg followed, when it reached my right cheek and my tongue I immediately called my charge nurse. I was worried I just had a stroke. So was she. She immediately put me in a wheelchair and called the other charge nurse to let her know I'm being taken to the ED for stroke suspicion. The ED wasted no time as well. They triaged me and got me back immediately, I was out on a tele monitor for my heart as my EKG had some abnormalities and my heart rate was in the 120s and steady around 110, I was in tachycardia. They did a neuro check and my right side was weaker, I had parasthesia. They ordered blood work and a CT with contrast of my head. The CT showed no bleeds, but a mini stroke, or ischemia doesn't show up in a CT. I was still having numbness and tingling several hours later so an MRI was ordered and a lumbar puncture was ordered as well. The MRI showed T2/FLAIR hypersensitivity in several locations of my white matter, consistent with MS. Now whoever read my MRI said it was consistent with my history of MS, I do NOT have any known history of MS, just hypo and fibro. I was so shocked. I was hospitalized and put on high dose steroids via IV for a minimum of 3 days. The steroids caused high blood sugar so I've been getting 2-4 units of insulin a day as well. I'm also in DVT protocol and getting a blood clot preventative shot daily. I've spoken with my nurse manager and thankfully my job is secure, but I'm going on desk duty. I can no longer interact with patients until I'm cleared and fit to do so, I 100% understand. Here's where the financial need comes... I have 2 CTs, an MRI of my brain and Cervical Spine, 6 days 5 nights of hospitalization, and 3 kids... I cannot afford this bill that's coming. We need help. So I'm teaching out to friends and family for help. It's hard, but I have no other choice. We simply cannot take on what's coming. I showered this morning and my right side is still weak. It was exhausting. My daily life has fully changed. I don't know what will be instore for me now, but I'm asking for anyones help. Times are hard for all, so prayers and well wishes are wonderful as well ❤️ I'm attaching the MRI result.