By: Chris Mann, guest blogger
Hi everyone,
My name is Chris Mann. I’m 35 and live in Victoria, BC. I was diagnosed with RRMS in April of 2013 and had a very aggressive start to life with MS! Hence I am starting treatment with Lemtrada March 9th and have decided to video blog each day of my treatment. I hope others can learn from my experience as I’ve learned so much from others with MS. Check out my story below and stay tuned for more updates to come:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the MS Society of Canada. The MS Society does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
Dear Chris
I found your video very moving. I have had quite a long connection with Lemtrada, and do hope it gives you the benefits that it is capable of giving.
Herman
Thanks Herman,
So far so good with Round two upcoming in early March! Were you a part of the clinical trials? Would love to here your experience with Lemtrada.
Chris
My laboratory generated Lemtrada-keeping my fingers crossed for you!
BW
Herman
Hi Chris. I just watched your posts and I have to say I was a bit teary. When you face all the symptoms you’ve already experienced it’s terrifying and hard, but then when you think about the impact this will have on your children, well, it makes it that much more difficult and painful. I just want to say kudos for keepin’ it real. I think your message was an important one, especially as a young man and as a father. It’s so great to have your voice here. I saw that you are having some great improvement on Lemtrada and I hope that it continues to be very positive for you. I have a couple friends who are also on it and it’s amazing how it’s also working for them. Crazy to think that just 8 years ago, MS patients were expecting to be forced to take shots for the rest of their lives and now those medications are all but obsolete. That’s the power of research and drug trials! MS research is definitely helping improve the lives of patients. Hang in there and know you are not alone in this battle.
Oh and P.S.: I got my first tattoo (one of two so far) AFTER I was diagnosed. There are tons of MS and NMO patients who still get inked. 🙂
Lelainia,
Thank you for the words of support! It’s been a roller coaster ride and round two is upcoming here in March! Follow up with my Nuerologist a few weeks back and nothing active and no new lesions! It’s a nice feeling knowing it’s finally been slowed, which was the key piece they were after! Also a few new tattoos, one a memorial piece in memory of my best friend, my Mother who passed this past June and the other for my wife who is my rock! If you do a search on YouTube using “Chris Mann Lemtrada”. I have a series of videos. Need to do a long overdue update before round two!
Hello Chris,
Thank you for your bravery in sharing these tough emotional things and updates online here.
Try to keep your head up 🙂
SunStar,
I always try to keep my chin up, but as we both know, that’s easier said then done at times! I do beleive knowledge is power and hearing from a fellow MSer is way more effective then the Doc to Patient relationship.
Hola! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and finally got the
bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from
Atascocita Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the
excellent work!