Jan's Journey to the London Marathon 2019

In January 2016 I had a very frightening experience when my eyesight in one eye deteriorated quite quickly to the extent that I wasn't able to continue my work as a dentist. Over the next year and numerous tests I was no further forward and my eye made some recovery. Following a second episode with my other eye in 2017 I had further scans and a lumbar puncture which finally led to the diagnosis of RRMS or relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.  

I started to learn about treatments, being a medic I was sure I would follow the disease modifying therapies DMTs or daily injections of immunosuppressants, but I was encouraged to try another approach. There is no cure for MS, treatments centre on suppressing the immune system and attempting to lessen attacks as MS is an auto-immune condition. 

So I embarked on the Best Bet Diet http://www.ms-uk.org/sites/default/files/choices_diet.pdf made some changes to my lifestyle and increased my level of exercise. 

In January 2017 in the middle of feeling a bit lost regarding my health and still unable to return to clinical work I decided to start running. I joined our local Five Star Active group based in Auchterarder and puffed and panted my way through 2 minute runs!! I remember the elation I felt when eventually running one dark Friday night we realised we had run for 12 minutes non-stop!! 

From there I ran a 5k then a 10k. With news in December 2017 that I may be facing MS I decided to sign up for a Half Marathon as I was terrified if I didn't do it then it may never happen. So in May 2018 a month after my confirmed diagnosis I proudly completed Loch Leven Half in 2 hrs 17 minutes. 

During the rest of 2018 I tried to keep my miles up and my fitness level as I started to come to terms with having this chronic disease. I was learning (and still am) when to push my body, and when to rest, how to fuel and which foods keep me healthy. 

It is thought that 70% of people with RRMS will eventually in time progress to secondary progressive MS but no-one knows what the future holds. Coming to terms with this uncertain future and living with a chronic disease has its ups and downs. I am extremely grateful to MS UK for the help I have received, and continue to receive counselling from them.

MS-UK was established in 1993, and is a national charity dedicated to empowering people with multiple sclerosis to make the most of today, and live life to the full. MS-UK put people affected by MS at the heart of the work that they do. They provide high quality, professional services to support people living with multiple sclerosis, and they listen to people affected by MS.

MS-UK, unlike other MS charities, receive no funding from the pharmaceutical industry and the donations they receive from London Marathon sponsorship make up 25% of their annual funding.

I am therefore delighted to be able to raise funds for MS-UK to be able to help them do all the wonderful things they do to help people live independent lives and have the best life possible.

I don't know what the future holds, none of us do, but I run and keep as healthy as possible and stay in the moment as much as possible. 

Thank you so much for reading my story and I hope you enjoy watching my progress, this is a journey I am so pleased to be on.

London, here we come!!