Woman’s journey of struggle and recovery from multiple sclerosis

“I STARTED to feel lighter, better, and wasn’t experiencing any pain or spasms.”

Monalisa Thomas (35) from Windhoek has shared her inspiring story of living with multiple sclerosis (MS) after being diagnosed at the age of 19.

Despite facing numerous challenges and periods of debilitating symptoms, Thomas has shown incredible resilience and determination to regain her independence.

Thomas said she first noticed something was amiss when she experienced an odd tingling sensation in her feet and hands. Soon after, she began suffering from terrible cramps in her hands and feet.

Perplexed by these symptoms, she sought medical help, leading to multiple hospital visits as doctors struggled to identify the underlying cause.

Thomas told The Namibian she faced a life-altering incident in 2009 when her entire body suddenly went numb, rendering her unable to move even a finger.

“Early one afternoon while I was sitting, my whole body just went numb, I was taken to Mediclinic at Otjiwarongo and transferred to Windhoek,” she said.

Her search for answers continued, and after spending five months at hospital, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Following the diagnosis, Thomas returned home to live with her mother, spending the next four years bedridden and enduring painful spasms and itching sensations throughout her body.

She said the severity of her condition prevented her from engaging in physiotherapy or other activities that could aid her recovery.

However, a turning point came in 2012 when Thomas woke up one day without any pain or spasms.

“That went on for a month,” she said, and during this time she began to feel lighter and better.

Encouraged by the respite, she started undergoing physiotherapy and gradually regained her independence.
Eventually, she was able to sit, eat, bathe and use the bathroom on her own again.

She enjoyed improved health and managed her condition well until experiencing a relapse early this year, she said.
Although the relapse confined her to bed for four months, it was not as severe as her initial episode.

Currently, she relies on a walker, but continues to make progress towards recovery, gaining strength with each passing day.

Thomas’s story serves as an inspiration to others suffering MS, demonstrating that perseverance, proper care, and rehabilitation can help individuals reclaim their lives even in the face of a challenging condition.

She remains optimistic about her future and continues to work towards regaining her independence and overall well-being.

POTENTIALLY DISABLING DISEASE

According to the Mayo Clinic, MS is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibres and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.

Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerve fibres.

Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely between patients and depend on the location and severity of nerve fibre damage in the central nervous system. Some people with severe MS may lose their ability to walk independently.

Other individuals may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms depending on the type of MS they have.

There’s no cure for MS, however, there are treatments to help speed the recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.

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