About

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I started this blog to help facilitate conversation about multiple sclerosis between myself and my friends, after being diagnosed with RRMS in 2013. Disease makes people–myself included–uncomfortable. The internet can be a scary place, particularly during diagnosis and in the months following. There’s so much unknown and, at the same time, too much information out there. And so, my audience grew to include others with the disease.

And then I expanded further and began also writing for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s blog (MS Connection) and later, Biogen’s online resource (Above MS). My writing has been featured in Momentum magazine and in Something On Our Minds: Anthology of Multiple Sclerosis Writings (Volume 4). I’ve written as a guest blogger for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and I also have served on patient advisory boards, including IsolateMS.

I am not a healthcare provider, nor do I have any medical experience or schooling. None of the information/advice shared is considered to be medical advice. Information shared here is for inspiration and/or informational purposes only. Please consult your physician or favorite medical professionals with any specific medical questions including treatment options, medications, dosages, and other medical concerns. None of my posts should not be considered a substitute for medical care. This is simply real talk from a real person who was diagnosed with MS at a young age, and I’m happy to share experiences, advice, and positivity with the newly (and long-time) diagnosed, as well as friends, family, curious types, and anyone who loves someone with MS.

Oh? And the name of this blog? It’s all explained here.

This is my story. And it doesn’t end with MS.

 

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Nominated for:

 

“Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Cat through her contributions to the National MS Society’s MS Connection blog. I always look forward to reading Cat’s blogs, both on her personal blog and on the MS Connection blog. Cat has excellent writing and story-sharing skills, and our social media audience connects to and engages with her blog posts. Cat is very passionate and takes the time to engage and listen to her audience. I highly recommend Cat and look forward to seeing the work she does in the future.”

–Amanda Gasper Krueger, Social Media Specialist at National MS Society

 

“I hired Cat as a contract writer for the National MS Society’s MS Connection blog after I came across her personal blog. Her writing moved me to tears and made me laugh out loud. I had the pleasure of working on the MS Connection blog with Cat for over a year. In addition to her professionalism and stellar writing, I was particularly impressed with Cat’s creativity and digital marketing savvy. I know I speak for thousands of people affected by MS when I express my gratitude to Cat for sharing her story with the world. I wholeheartedly recommend Cat and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.” 

–Maura Burns, Director of Strategic Communications at National MS Society

 

“Cat has that rare ability to write movingly about a difficult personal issue without falling into sentimentality. I worked with Cat on a personal essay she wrote about living with MS for the National MS Society’s Momentum magazine. I’d contacted Cat to ask her to write the piece because I’ve been impressed with her blog posts. Cat writes with humor and great self-awareness, and she has a unique voice. She’s also every bit the professional: She met the deadline – I think she was early! – and she was a pleasure to work with on editing and revisions. I certainly will look for other opportunities to work with her again. Cat’s work would be a valuable addition to any publication.”  

-Jane Hoback, Editor at Momentum magazine | National Multiple Sclerosis Society

 

9 thoughts on “About”

  1. Pingback: Amazing Feedback and One Bad Apple – It's Only A Bruise

  3. Stacie

    Hello! My name is Stacie and I was just diagnosed with MS (yesterday) to be exact. I stumbled across your bloog since I have buried myself in MS information on the internet. I love your blog! I also live in milwaukee. I am 26 years old and a nurse at a local hospital. I am terribly scared of the unknowns but reading your blog is making it a little less scary. I appreciate that! My mom also has MS which was diagnosed at the age of 30. Crazy gentics and the lack of vitamin D huh? Luckily, she has a very mild form. I am scared for the future as they have found 9 lesions in the brain and 1 now in my spinal cord which was reactive to contrast on c7 showing active ms. Now I am starting to realize what it’s like to be a patient and not just the nurse. Let me tell you it’s a scary road! I am trying to take all the good days in with a positive attitude because it always could be worse.

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    Reply

    1. Hi Stacie! Nice to meet you! I’m so happy you found my blog and are enjoying the content 🙂

      I would be a little cautious, however, with how deeply you dive into the internet so soon after a diagnosis. You know a little bit of what to expect because of your mom’s experience, but the web can be a very scary place and has the capability to bring you down quickly.

      Please keep in touch! I’d love to hear how you’re doing. 🙂

      If you’d like, you can subscribe to this blog via email and be notified every time I post something new and for the time in between, you can follow me on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube—all @itsonlyabruise).

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  5. James Walsh

    Just found you today, Cat. Thank you for doing this… I am four years post-diagnosis with PPMS and I work as a reporter at a major newspaper. Still haven’t felt comfortable with the idea of blogging about my own disease, even though close friends, co-workers and editors know I have it.
    God knows, I have had enough MS-ey days that required me to send a call or email letting them know I didn’t have the oomph to work today.
    So, thanks for acting as my proxy. I appreciate it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Erin Allison

    I was diagnosed at 20 w/ RRMS. Now I’m 39 and am gradually advancing towards less remitting after every relapse (PPMS). I have been on every MS drug and been in drug study trials. I just stumbled across your blog through The Mighty newsletter. It was really hard being so young with MS. I went to a MS support group shortly after I was diagnosed and had to cry in my car after. It was very frightening to see the level of disability, and no one was my age either.

    I’m now “retired” and on disability and I’m still the youngest in my local support group lol

    So props on your blog! It should help a lot. Have a great day❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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