Having both diabetes and multiple sclerosis, Vincent Pena knows the value of planning ahead. Find out how he educated himself on MS and the steps he takes to prepare for a multiple sclerosis exacerbation.
Vincent Pena, 38, is able to say something few people can: “In twelve years, I’ve never taken a sick day from work,” says the married father of two. His dedication is even more impressive considering that Pena is living with not just one but two chronic health conditions: diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Pena, a resident of Garfield, New Jersey, was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, although he had experienced symptoms for three years before that. He was already living with diabetes. Although Pena was planning to become a police officer, when he received his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, he realized his career focus had to shift. “Back then, people didn’t really understand what multiple sclerosis was. They thought it was like muscular dystrophy,” Pena says. He still wanted to have a similar job, so he went to work for the government helping young people, which he’s been doing ever since — mostly recently, monitoring the cases of juveniles under house arrest. Always practical, he also took his government job to ensure he would have health insurance.
Preparing for a Multiple Sclerosis Exacerbation
Pena has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), which means he may be relatively symptom-free for a while, and then will suddenly experience a multiple sclerosis exacerbation. About 85 percent of those with multiple sclerosis are first diagnosed with RRMS.
The best way to deal with MS, Pena has found, is to always be prepared for the next relapse. He estimates that in the last 10 years, he’s had about five multiple sclerosis exacerbations, which can last around three months. But not knowing when the next one will strike, he stays on guard. “I treat MS like it’s a hurricane — with a hurricane, you board up your windows, you stock up on food… it’s the same with MS, you prepare for it by taking your medication, staying active, things like that.” He and his wife also keep what he calls a “bad news file” with reference information on finances, insurance coverage, and other vital facts, should she need to access it. “Right now, I’m enjoying my life; I’m walking,” he says. “But if the day ever comes when I can’t do that, I know what to expect.”
Getting Educated on Multiple Sclerosis
In addition to planning ahead, Pena says staying informed about multiple sclerosis is important. “When I was first diagnosed with MS, I’d never heard of it, but I educated myself.” Pena reads up on the latest treatments and research, and participates in MS studies at the Kessler Institute in New Jersey, where he finds it helpful to connect with others. “I try to talk to people who’ve had MS longer than me, as well as talking to doctors,” he says.
Despite his multiple sclerosis, Pena believes he’s still been able to accomplish everything he wants to do. “It hasn’t impeded my life,” he says. “You have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
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