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MS journal 2026 transcript

My MS journal March 2026

Good Friday. Good things. That was my motto 10 years ago during my first fundraiser. Did I have Stem cells? Yes. Did it help? Yes. It pretty much cured me with problems I was having with my speech, big time. However, it did not help with my walking like I hoped it would. Let me give you an update what has happened since.

The MS has progressed. I guess that’s why they call it progressive MS. That is what I have. When I was first diagnosed in 2012, I was working, driving, running and working out. Also, I was a bar fly. For twenty years, I played softball on a weekly basis. That was always followed by having some beers. One day a teammate asked me if I had a few beers before the game. He noticed my balance was a little off, I didn’t have a hit, and was slurring a little bit. In a stern voice I said, “I never drink before a game”. I didn’t. Throughout each season, I typically averaged at least two hits per game, but at one point, my performance fell off a cliff. I was without a hit 3 games in a row. I was in a serious slump. I was frustrated and thought to myself, “How hard is it to hit a freaking softball?” Then not realizing it, playing basketball became a serious problem. My hands went numb, and I could not feel the ball that well. I could not shoot the ball, or dribble. It was so embarrassing. It was like suddenly I did not know how to play basketball. I should have seen a doctor the next day but ignored it because I was in no pain. I just stopped playing basketball and softball.

But suddenly, I began to keep falling down. In 2002 I was seriously beaten, had an MRI taken, and discovered I had a partial tear of the ACL in my left knee. After 10 years, I figured that that was the reason I kept losing my balance and falling down. I saw Dr. Marina, an orthopedic surgeon, who examined my knees and informed me that I also had a meniscus tear in my right knee. Surgeries were planned 6 months apart for later that year. But when Dr. Marina saw me trying to walk down the hall, he called me back into his office and performed tests on my feet. He immediately told me that he was not going to perform any surgeries until I saw a neurologist. I could not understand why I had to see a neurologist for knee surgery. He told my dad he thought I might have a disease called Multiple Sclerosis. He calmed my nerves a little bit by telling me it was a non-life-threatening disease, but still.

I would go on to see a neurologist and was officially diagnosed with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. That was in March 2012. At first, I did not think it was that bad, but just five months later, I fell down and could not get up. Just like the commercial says. I had to use a Walker or a rollator to get around. And that was a workout. I would walk with the rollator all day long. I had to.

For the longest time after I lost the ability to walk, or run, I would get on my GOGA, or European body shaper. A vibration exercise machine I had at home. I was addicted to that thing. I used to get on it for 10 minutes, at least three times a day at a pretty high intensity level. Also, I was able to get around using a walker walking 200-300 yards a day. I felt good, I felt strong, considering the MS. For 12 years I remained pretty much stable. That was until 2023. In September 2023, I caught Covid-19. That rocked my world.

I woke up early Sunday morning during the first week of September and could not get out of bed. I was burning up with a 103-degree fever, which completely paralyzed me. I was screaming for help. My parents rushed over to my bed / couch and put cold towels on my forehead, gave me some Advil, and called an ambulance. I was taken to the Hospital. After doctors performed all kinds of tests, a few hours later, I was discharged from the hospital. I was discharged with no medicine or anything. I asked for a Decadron shot. But the doctor told me no. He told me nothing was wrong.

As soon as we got home, I started feeling bad again. The fever was back. I was having the hardest time moving. I had to see a doctor again. This time we went to my primary care physician’s office. The doctor gave me a checkup again and looked at my hospital discharge papers. He came back and told me I had Covid-19, RSV, and strep throat. I was thankful he caught it and pissed off beyond belief that I was discharged from the hospital with no medicine, prescriptions, shots or anything. My doctor at the night clinic gave me shots and a prescription for the Covid-19. He also gave me a Decadron shot. Very temporary, but it helped for 12 hours. Allowed me to be able to take a shower and get ready for what was to come.

The following day, Covid-19 took full effect. The strep throat hurt so bad I couldn’t swallow. I had to spit in a cup because I did not want to swallow. I took some amoxicillin, eventually fell asleep, and woke up with my throat feeling a little bit better. Good enough to swallow without hurting, but I was bedridden for a week. I had congestion and a constant cough. I lost all my energy. A couple of weeks later, I tried to get on my Goga but could not. I would test positive for Covid 19 for 3 weeks. After a month, I decided to just stop testing. I stayed pretty much isolated and stayed home. Daily tasks became very difficult. I felt okay but would have a cough and scratchy voice for 2 months with congestion. I caught Covid-19 right after Labor Day and did not feel back to normal till Thanksgiving. I masked up and started the new year going back to therapy. I continue to wear a mask at therapy to this day.

But here is what happened after I recovered from Covid-19. I kept falling down using my walker, or rollator. The days of walking 200-300 yards were long gone. It took an extraordinary amount of energy to keep from falling, but no matter how hard I tried, I would constantly fall down. A lot. It went from falling down a couple of times a year before Covid, to falling down once a week. And I could not walk more than 20 yards without having to stop and take a rest. I was doing this for a few months but could never get back to walking more than 50 yards. So, I had to stop using the walker. I turned to a manual wheelchair. I was able to move around with ease and did not have to worry about falling down. I stayed exclusively with the wheelchair for a couple of days. I then thought, I need to keep using my walker to walk short distances. When I tried using my walker a couple of days later, to walk from my room to the living room, I was almost unable to do it. It was so hard. With each step, I thought I was going to fall. I could not take one step after another like I used to. After each step I had to stop, make sure I had a good grip on the handles, and try to lift my left leg without dragging, which became a serious problem. Walking with the walker suddenly became a problem. I stopped using the walker, or rollator entirely, and went exclusively with a manual wheelchair.

The wheelchair. Oh, the wheelchair. In 2012, when the MS went full steam ahead. I found a wheelchair, a Quickie, that was pretty light at only 25 pounds. It was the best wheelchair I ever had. It pretty much allowed me independence, but after 11 years, the wheelchair finally broke.

I tried to order another one online, but that model was discontinued. There was a new version. A Quickie 2. I tried to order one, but they needed measurements, a prescription from a doctor, and insurance info. Nothing like the first time I ordered when all I had to do was give Height and weight. I ordered a few other wheelchairs hoping I Would be able to easily maneuver like the Quickie, but none of them did.

For the longest time, my dad kept telling me to get an electric wheelchair. And for the longest time I did not want to get one. Moving around on a manual wheelchair was my only form of exercise after I had Covid. But after my disappointment trying to replace my manual wheelchair, I decided to go ahead and buy an electric wheelchair that I found on Amazon. I was hoping I could use it and it would function as per my requirements. It did. I still use my manual wheelchair when I go to therapy and around my room. Eventually, this will chair will also break, and I’ll be looking for another one.

I needed to try and do something to get some kind of exercise. So, I purchased an electric stepper, and I love it. I'm using the stepper all day long while sitting down watching TV. I am able to get my steps in using an electric stepper. I walk 6 miles a day. That's about 14,000 steps. After a month of using the stepper, I decided to buy a 2-pound therapy dumbbell weight and use it with my right hand while I’m using the stepper. I shadow box, do arm curls, arm lifts, Etc. Wouldn't you know it, since I've been using the stepper and dumbbell weight, I have strength, and I’m able to get back on my Goga exercise machine.

I'm still a long, long way off from where I used to be Prior to COVID. I cannot use a Walker anymore. My left leg does not move forward. I only use the rollator at therapy under the direction and help from the therapist. They have to kick my left foot forward in order for me to take a step forward. The first thing I do with therapy, is try to walk with my Walker or rollator. Before I bought the stepper, I would be lucky to walk 6 yards. Since I started using the stepper, I'm now able to walk around 20 yards. Again, only at therapy, and with the therapist kicking my left leg forward.

In 2012, MS caused the left side of my body to become mostly unresponsive, but I coped well. I was able to do things like MacGyver. I figured things out. Sometimes not the safest, or smartest ways, but I managed.

I would tell people MS is a one-way street, so to listen to your doctor, eat better, exercise as best you can. For 12 years I did. I remained stable. I was content. But ever since I caught Covid in 2023, the MS has progressed big time. I feel like with everything I do, I’m taking one step forward, and ten steps back. I will probably never get back to where I was in 2012, but I’m trying my hardest, I’m trying my best. Good Friday. Good things.

Now available on Audible

Welcome to jramirez.website

Lettuce Entertain You Incorporated by J.R. Ramirez - Audiobook - Audible.com

Summary

This book, Lettuce Entertain You, Incorporated, is a memoir about the author's experiences growing up, then working with concerts. The author also describes La Villa Real Special Events Center, a music venue owned by his father. The author shares stories and anecdotes about his encounters with various bands and artists. He talks about a George Strait concert, Willie Nelson, Motley Crue, Juan Gabriel, and many more. The book also tells stories told by the author's father, which include personal concert experiences, drama, fabrication, and a voodoo doll. Overall, the book provides a first-hand account of the author's experiences with concerts featuring Rock, Country and International bands. He shares his behind-the-scenes experiences working with those concerts. The narrative takes a turn when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and his ability to work. He then shares a few of those stories as well. Overall, the book provides a firsthand account of the author’s working with concert experiences.

My letter to Lou Gramm story

My letter to Foreigner’s Lou Gramm

I’m excited to be seeing you in concert. I take tremendous honor to be writing you. I feel like I am living in Wayne’s World, “I’m not worthy”. I am writing to a living legend. A Rock N Roll Hall of Famer.

You were the voice to the songs that got me through elementary school back in 1982-85. I had to start doing homework everyday as soon as the bell rang, and school let out. My mom taught at the same school I was at. Even though I desperately wanted to go outside and play, I was not allowed to until I finished my homework in my mother’s classroom. The saving grace was that she had a record player. It might have been a children’s record player, but do you think I cared?

I put on headphones and listen to records while doing homework. Ironically, it was literally an album called, Records. You might have heard of it. It came out in 1982. It was by a band called Foreigner. The lead singer was a man you might know named Lou Gramm. I would lose myself for almost an hour as I submersed myself in Records. From start to finish, it was the best. Every single song. Every single one. I would also listen to ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, and Iron Maiden, but Foreigner was my favorite.

I am currently 52 years old. I was never a “Jukebox Hero”, but I worked at my father’s music hall all of my adult life after college. It was inevitable. My dad grew up in the music business. His father, my grandpa, opened up the first music recording studio in McAllen, Texas, then my dad would open up that music hall called, La Villa Real Entertainment Center. From 1977 to 2006, almost a thousand bands graced its stage. I had the privilege of meeting some of the bands and artists that shaped my life. But out of respect, we never took advantage of being around them, or bothered them. Work was work, and we needed to respect their privacy. We all had a job to do. But every now and then, on a rare occasion, I would ask for an autograph. One such case was in the year 2000, when You and the band Foreigner, played La Villa Real.

That night, I was working the box office, but asked my father for my album, Foreigner’s Records to be signed. It was. My dad had the album autographed and put it on my desk in the office. I was over the moon. I went to the office, looked at it, and geeked out. I went back to the box office, then was able to enjoy the concert. I mention that in my memoir, Lettuce Entertain You, Inc., about growing up, then working at my dad’s concert venue, La Villa Real. What I don’t mention in my book though, is that somebody stole my signed album, Records. It was autographed, sitting on my desk, and should have been safe and secure. Nobody was allowed in the office unless you were working. Even though I knew exactly where it should have been, I tore the office apart looking for my album, but it was gone. Had to be an inside job, whoever stole it.

That was not the first time a prize possession, or autograph, was stolen from La Villa Real. I tell the story in Chapter 9, Once Upon a time.

I also wanted to let you know that I saw you in a showcase in Nashville during the I.E.B.A conference. about 8 years ago. I also mention that story in my book, however the story mostly has to do with The Spinners. They were also on the showcase. But the highlight of the night, was hearing you sing, Jukebox Hero.

My dad was going through a Tejano faze and did not recognize any of your songs. I took great satisfaction in educating him. Now, he recognizes the songs, your voice, and your brilliance. Rock On!!