This is your brain

Here is an MRI image of a brain. No, it's not mine. I do have my actual films at home and I keep them tucked away most of the time. However, the past two years before leaving on the bike trip I have pulled those oversized envelopes out of the closet, carefully slipped the large image sheets out and held them up to the light. I squint at the little white dots in my brain and remind myself why I'm doing what I'm doing, and why I asked people for money. Looking at those images makes me uncomfortable.

I remember the day I was told I had MS. I found out from a friend who happens to be a doctor. He had ordered the MRI and I remember him sitting down to talk to me about the results. His words were "your brain MRI came back abnormal"

Abnormal.

I feel really lucky that I received that news from a friend. It was less traumatic, and I felt safe with him.

Now, today, it's been over four years and I'm stronger, and probably in someways healthier than before I had the news. Actually, I know I am healthier. I make better choices. I laugh easier, and appreciate the little things in life a lot more. All of that is normal as I think when you realize you've been taking something for granted that you shouldn't take for granted, for example... let's say .. umm, like, the ability to walk, you, of course, are going to be more thankful when you realize all that you have. I find more than ever now that I'll take the stairs instead of the escalator. In fact, I'll take them two at a time and run up them fast.

Feeling out of breath never felt so good.