MY PERSONAL STRUGGLE AGAINST MS

The first symptom of MS occurred while I was in the services. These were optic neuritis and temporal-lobe epilepsy (TLE) or petit mal. I was sent to RAF Hospital, Ely, but doctors there at that time had insufficient information for any accurate diagnosis. Why were there dead cells floating in the vitreous humor? (I kept quiet about the TLE.)

In 1972 aged 36 I was initially diagnosed with MS by Dr Fred Lees at Colchester Hospital, Essex following a myelegram and a very painful lumbar puncture. The symptoms I had then included the usual "pins-and-needles" (paraesthesia) in my hands, feet and neck when I lowered my chin to chest (the well-known "Barber's chair syndrome"). I was referred to the National Hospital Queen Square, London for a second opinion. MS was confirmed! At the time I refused to believe it! Fay, the wife of a close friend of ours, suffered from relapsing/remitting MS and I certainly didn't have the same symptoms suffered by her or by Jacqueline du Pré and so I refused to believe it.

Two years later, while working in London, I fell down on the pavement in Poultry on the way to St Paul's, London. I checked myself into a Harley-Street consultant who wasted no time sending me back to the National Hospital for a further diagnosis which finally I reluctantly accepted. Sadly, ten years later I was forced to retire from full-time work. I tried to find part-time work but failed.

My wife coaxed me into attending classes for Hatha Yoga which I found very beneficial. For a while I tried archery with a young chap from Switzerland; (discovering a long-bow can be fired just as well from a wheelchair). And, of course, MS couldn't prevent me sailing.

Oddly enough it was my love of sailing that helped get me back on my feet (financially speaking!) While aboard the STS "The Lord Nelson" in 1993, I met a fellow PwMS, a solicitor from Hexham, Northumberland. He casually enquired whether I'd served in the forces and suggested that I should apply for a War Pension. (Now handled by Veterans' Agency: (I hope you're reading this, Geoff).

I was under the misguided impression (as was my neurologist!) that in order to qualify, my tour-of-service must have been the primary cause of my illness. True, I had been sent to RAF Hospital, Ely with what turned out to be optic neuritis. Fortunately, the MS Society and the RAF doctors agreed this was the first symptom of MS so in 1994 I was given a 70% pension. Twelve months later, with the help of RAFA the RAF Association this was increased to 100%. It was about this time I first heard the term "Primary Progressive MS" (which is what I have).

By a twist of fate, MS may have helped to save my life! To my amazement at the age of 55. while attending the National Hospital during a routine assessment, it was discovered that I had a heart murmer or cardiac arrhythmia. This was diagnosed as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HCM) caused by an autosomal gene affecting the heart. Five years later I was treated at the Royal Brompton Hospital with a radical new treatment, "Sigwart Procedure". This was carried out by the eminent surgeon himself, Dr Ulrich Sigwart. In cardiac septal ablation alcohol is injected directly into the faulty septum. As I was fully conscious during this entire operation I needed another shot of alcohol afterwards to recover from the trauma of an induced heart attack!

For all that, me and my wheelchair have seen life during the years between diagnosis and emigrating to Spain. Among other things:

• Visited Buckingham Palace (the Queen was away!),
• Heard Pavarotti sing Cavaradosi in "Tosca" at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden,
• Camped-out in Brittany touring the Mountagnes d’Arrée national park,
• Sailed in the 1992 Round Britain Yacht Race raising sponsorship for the UK MS Society,
• Ascended a volcano in Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote,
• Sailed with whales off the coast of Tenerife,
• Served a four-hour "trick" at the helm of a 368-ton three-masted square-rigged barquentine crossing the North Sea,
• Cruised down the Avon in a canal-barge and saw "Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Theatre Royal, Stratford-upon-Avon,
• Swum in the Caribbean Ocean,
• Met Lady Gunn, widow of the clan chieftain,
• Sat in Johnny Depp's chair on St Vincent where they shot the film, "Pirates of the Caribean,
• Took ferry to island of Bequia (next-door to Princess Margaret's famous Mustique),
• Sat beneath the original breadfruit tree on St Vincent brought by Commanding Lieutenant of the HMS Bounty. Capt. Bligh,
• Basked on a naturists' beach on the Costa Blanca,
• Visited Islas de Tabarca, off the coast of Spain,
• Visited Hemmingway's bull-ring in Ronda,
• Drunk sangria and eaten swordfish steak on la Isla de Majorca,
• Eaten fresh dates in el Jardín Botánico, Las Palmas, Elche,
• Revisited Gibraltar to see what had changed since sailing there in '79.

In 2006 we emigrated. I had no neurogist in England, I might as well have no neurogist in Spain too! We have to learn a new language, get new medical cards, and register with a médico de cabecera (GP). At least now I can get an appointment online to see my doctor within 24 hours. (DHSS eat your heart out!) and get medical supplies from my helpful local farmacia. Fresh oranges, figs, pomegranates, grapes, bananas, and avocados from our own garden.

We now live in a cortijo rústico on the Costa Tropical with distant views of the Mediterranean and the Sierra Navavadas. After 30-odd years I stil enjoy life. Such are the mysterious paths of La Fortuna!