Comments on: Time to Share

By: David Ohs

David Ohs — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:31:27 +0000

Hi Janice,
I wanted to send my heartfelt sympathy to you the minute I heard of your diagnosis with MS. My wife, Heather, told me the news during ms awareness week. Sorry it took me so long to do this. I was shocked to hear that two of my favorite personalities on Fox have the disease. Heather, who is the regional development manager for the MS society had the opportunity to hear Neil cavuto speak about his experiences with ms while at a convention in Florida. You are both an inspiration and I admire your “can do” attitude. One of the ways I help increase awareness about the disease is by participating with the ms bike tour here in Montana. This will be my third year riding and fifth year volunteering. I am starting to do fundraising and wanted to know if you or some of your friends would like to help me in this endeavor. If so, you can go to my personal web page at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/goto/davidohs. Any help would be appreciated. I am confident a cure will soon be reached. God bless you Janice and Neil.
p.s. If you would like to do the weather from Montana in September we would love to have you with us at the tour. Thank you, David

By: Erika

Erika — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:33:43 +0000

Janice,

Getting diagnosed is overwhelming at first; you’ve done exactly the right thing in getting started with a treatment right away. Yep, the daily shots are a pain in the butt…and the thigh…and the arm…but it’s (I’m assuming Copaxone) a good medicine and starting on it early makes a big difference. Stay informed, but don’t obsess. Keep your ears open for new research, but I really recommend NOT spending a lot of time on MS message boards or in support groups, because those tend to focus on the worst aspects of the disease, and disability is not necessarily your future (or mine). Just live your life as Janice Dean, not as an MS patient.

By: Tony Tenerelli

Tony Tenerelli — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:10:45 +0000

Janice,

Just wanted to send you prayers from Sunny Florida.

Also, I wanted to see if you were up for dinner Friday night? Yeah, yeah…I know, I live in Florida. If you wanted to go out, however, I’d be in New York!

By: Julian

Julian — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:25:14 +0000

Dear Janice,

I wanted to know something personal about the ladies on Fox News. Since you are my very favorite one, I Googled your name and was shocked to read about your MS.
One thing I know is that your positive attitude will take you a long way. Just keep being the same sweet woman that I have known and remember that you will be in my prayers.
I think Cavuto was right when he said that you will get through this. (he is another favorite of mine)

Julian

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:30:28 +0000

YOU and I were pretty much diagnosed at the same time. I have been on copaxone for two years this past Feb. and I was diagnosed around November of 2005. I really had no idea. I did have a few wierd but mild and occasional symptoms, but then I figured it was part of aging-I was 57 at the time. The real clincher was the dx of transverse myelitis causing some sensory numbness of my feet and then most of my body. Even the it was very mild and I waited for a month to see my internist who recommended the spinal mri where the TM was dx. After that I went to see a neurologist who ordered the bain MRI especially because I have a daughter with MS who was dx’d three years previous at age 20. No one else in the family we know of has MS, but we both grew up in Rochester, one of those high ms cities.

I have always been pretty open about my situation and I am glad you have decided to speak up. I think if a national survey is ever started, and hints of it were mentioned on an MS site I belong to, the I think the numbers will be higher than 400,000 and being more vocal will hopefully encourage more research for a cure or at the least new medications.

So far I am doing okay. The numbness in my feet never went away, but I deal with it. I am a (cantorial) singer and I continue to do what I like to do the most. I wish you all the best. If you ever come to Rochester, I’ love to meet you! sincerely, Ellen

By: Dot

Dot — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:09:56 +0000

God bless you, Janice! I was diagnosed in 1992 when I was 20 years into a career with the Navy Nurse Corps. Looking back, I had strange symptoms years before which were attributed to a disc problem, too tight jeans (I never wore tight jeans) or just, “We don’t know. Let’s wait and see.” Of course the symptoms disappeared, so I was crazy, I guessed. The diagnosis was extremely stressful, but as you did, I went after all the information I could find. I had to tell my superior officers of course, and I didn’t know how they would react. I found them all to be supremely supportive. With the help of medication that was available as of 1994 and the continuing support of all of my colleagues, I was able to finish a 30-year career. My advice for anyone faced with this craziness is never take “no” for an answer. Be aggressive in pursuing what you want and need. In 1993 I heard that the FDA’s Advisory Board had recommended approval of Betaseron and I called the Director’s office. When the medication was available in 1994, there was a lottery and I was told I’d get it in about 4 years since my number was somewhere around 45,000. The Navy was allotted doses for 100 people, so I called the Undersecretary of Defense for Health Affairs and was told they hadn’t come up with a distribution plan. I finally found that Univ. of San Francisco Medical Center had some doses and that’s where I got it. I have aggressively pursued research studies as well and am in one now for an oral medication that has helped me a good bit with my mobility. When I was diagnosed, I was dating my now husband, and telling him was another chore. He stuck with me and still stands by me through everything. I know you must be a strong woman. You can cope!
Hang in there!!! Dot

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:26:26 +0000

Janice:
Your article on MS and the fact that you have it, makes you just more wonderful than you can imagine. I love seeing you do the weather on Fox. I have always admired you and your
“human” antics on the show. I am sad you are having to deal with this disease, but know God can
lead you in all sorts of ways to come to grips with it yourself and to participate in research and public awareness. I did not know Neil also had this disease. I know he is like a rock to you for support and
help. We are fox fans from the word go, so we hope to continue seeing you both!!

Please know we are praying for you and others who have this disease for peace and understanding to work though the rough spots in your day to day life. Some days I know it must be so hard, but
keep your chin up. You have people cheering for you.

Just wanted to let you know that we like seeing you on tv and enjoy your personality shinning
through! Keep up the great work.

We love you… Diane and family …way down here in Waco, Texas!!!!

By: Edd C. Hendee

Edd C. Hendee — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:45:07 +0000

Janice,

Come back to Houston in April and join us for the MS 150 Bike Ride benefitting MS - we raised $10 million last year - it’s a great event!!

You are a treasure.

By: Kristi Lenart

Kristi Lenart — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:53:04 +0000

Hi Janice,
I’ve caught your bubbly weather forecasting and would never have guessed your secret until my husband told me tonight.

With the week of March 10th being MS Awareness Week, I’m so glad you chose to tell your story. You, and many like you (Neil Cavuto, Richard Cohen, Annette Funicello [every teenage boy's heart throb of the Mousekateers] and others) help to keep us inspired.

Like Mitch (after I was diagnosed in 2001) I continued to work in my Type A job along with my type A personality. After three years I found that I could no longer continue in that role and thus retired. I went about changing my focus on life and now I volunteer in various organizations and stay in contact with others I’ve met also living with MS. Every day has become a learning opportunity. So instead of “Speed Bumping” (quote by Teri Garr) my way through life, I’m learning to LIVE.

God bless you and your family. Your delightful smile is what makes even bad weather feel okay.

Many blessings,
Kris, TN

By: Tom Lenart

Tom Lenart — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:13:48 +0000

Hi Janice:

But you don’t look sick! That one really gets old!!!!

Just read your blog and while I don’t have MS my soul mate of over 40 years does. She was diagnosed six years ago.

Outlook is very important and her positive attitude has gone a long way in helping us both deal with this life changing disease.

You might be interested in reading “Fall Down Laughing” by David Lander. (Squiggy). His battle with MS during the the Lavergne and Shirly show is classic for the time. David does a lot of appeareances on behalf of the MS Society.

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Tom Lenart

Thanks for going public as it has helped people I know you probably realize this however,