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Hello,

Some of you may know me and most may not. My name is Ann and I'm a mom with

Mito. Diagnosed in 2003 with Mitochondrial Myopathy, it was a bittersweet day:

1. because there is no cure or treatment. 2. I found somewhere I belonged.

For years I had fatigue, pain in my legs and spine, eye flareups; you name it, I

probably had it. I went through the ringer of tests and had been diagnosed in

previous years as a " probable " MS patient. I had the symptoms, just never had

the test to prove it. So in 2002 I met with a new doctor at the MS Clinic who

began looking into rare illnesses. And well, that is how I got my

diagnosis-shortened story, of course.

2005:

In April-Following extensive oral surgery, 2 dental offices put me under the

assumption that I was probably misdiagnosed with Mito. My health significantly

improved: making a 180 degree turn. In August-My pulmonologist said prior to

the surgery-the infection could have combined all the Mito symptoms into one

front, causing my health to rapidly decline. He said he was unsure of a

misdiagnosis. But given my current state of health, he did give me a positive

outlook for the future.

So where does this leave me? Knowing I am no worse off mentally than when I

received my initial diagnosis. I know where I started and where the road was

going in April. And hey if my health starts to decline, it isn't like I have

been there before. " Been there, done that " I can say to myself and hopefully

gain some insight I may not have had the last time.

--

By trade, I am a freelance writer and author. Whatever the opportunity,

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness is one topic that lays at the forefront of what

I believe in.

Guess that's it...for now anyway.

Sincerely,

Ann

All new (www.HeartbeatsForMito.org) featuring 33 children affected by

Mitochondrial Disease