Emily's Post-Walk 2007 Thank You

Hi, it's me Emily.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their thoughts
and prayers over the past eleven months. I also want to thank everyone who supported (or joined) Jason on the MS Walk.

I never could have imagined the barrage of emotions that I have experienced for nearly a year, but, even with such a repertoire, I could not predict what I felt the day of the Walk.

I was not able to participate in the Walk itself but I did want to be present to encourage my team of "Slackers". When I watched the crowd of walkers converging on L'Esplanade Riel, and heard the bagpipes, I was hit with another reality: thousands of people have the same goal, and the same hope as myself. Sure, I had my little team who wore their pinnies -- "I'm walking for Emily Fryer" -- but thousands of people were walking for me, and people like me. It was a powerful moment.

I know that some of you reading this e-mail have received "Emily Updates"
from my Mom, throughout this trial, so I might as well do one myself.

An update on Emily (Me!):

It has been four months since I received the diagnosis of MS. But as we all know, I have been ill for nearly a year. There continues to be confusion at a "clinical" level as to the symptoms I experience (and even more about the symptoms that I don't have). My diagnosis was not quick because of the sheer size of my "medical" attack (lesions shown in MRI's, or in my case, so many they can be seen on CT scans!)and where the attack targeted in my brain is not classic for MS. I'm still figuring out how to manage day to day in my house -- but I have slowly started back to work.

Jason has mastered my daily injections (or "therapy" as the drug company calls it). I know what you're thinking...and yes, I can give myself injections too. He has also mastered reading my eyes and lack of head movement (which can change like the wind!) when my head is no longer comfortable or safe in the space/situation it is in.

I receive tremendous support and optimism from Jason and Corina. They encourage me to continue pursuing the same dreams that I had before, as well as help me cultivate new and better dreams for the future.

Emily

P.S. Want to hear the latest pick-up line in a bar full of people with
MS --> "How many lesions do you have?"