Since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005, the veins in my arms have been stuck well over a hundred times. My monthly Tysabri infusion alone has equaled 108 vein piercing injections once every 28 days dating back to February of 2007. Each time has been without incident. My nurses remark how I have big … Read more
**Originally posted by Matt Cavallo on MSAA Conversations on 2-11-2015 at http://blog.mymsaa.org/hard-family-conversations-and-ms/** Me and my Aunt Angie, Loretta’s older sister, December 2015 During my initial hospital stay and subsequent diagnosis of MS, one of the biggest challenges that I faced was talking to my family. We had a history of multiple sclerosis in my family. My … Read more
When I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005, there were limited treatment options available to slow the progression of the disease. For me, those treatment options didn’t work. My first eighteen months living with the disease I faced relapse after damaging relapse wondering if my quality of life would ever find some kind … Read more
Imagine being only a two year old toddler and having your mom diagnosed with an invisible illness. As you grow up, you watch your mom fall down over and over while you’re not strong enough to help her back up. Imagine feeling her embarrassment as she had yet another accident. Worst of all no one … Read more
**Originally posted by Matt Cavallo on MSAA Conversations on 12-8-2014** As the holidays approach, many of us living with a chronic illness are fretting holiday travel. Maybe you would like to travel to see friends or loved ones, but are hesitant because of your illness. You are not alone. Travel is stressful for everyone. Airports … Read more
**Originally posted by Matt Cavallo on MSAA Conversations on 10-20-2014** Earlier this month, I wrote a personal story of my positive outcomes with therapy. I utilized Physical and Occupational Therapy, along with Speech Language Pathology to aid in my recovery from neck surgery. This was a scary time in my life, and I was extremely thankful … Read more
**Originally posted by Matt Cavallo on MSAA Conversations on 10-10-2014** I had one goal for after my anterior cervical fusion surgery: work as hard as I could to return to normal so I could the dad I always wanted to be. This was not going to be easy. I had a serious neck injury with … Read more
Normally, I am a very careful person. Living with multiple sclerosis and going through neck surgery have made me that way. I don’t take unnecessary risks. For example, I would never jump out of a perfectly good airplane or bridge, even if I had a parachute or bungee attached. I don’t play contact sports with … Read more
When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the June of 2005, there were four treatment options available for managing the disease. These treatments were considered disease modifying agents intended to increase the time between relapse. Each of these treatments also required the patient to inject themselves, which was something that I could never do. … Read more