01/09/2026
2025 Recap for Hannah (Warning it's a long one!)
2025 really did not hold back on me.
Beginning of the year was going well. My health seemed to be on the up & I was running average of 20 miles per week and doing lots of swimming and weight lifting.
In June my left quad started to hurt. On July 11th my left leg completely stopped cooperating. This then led to many unexplained symptoms including bowel and urinary incontinence foot drop and complete leg instability. My left leg also no longer grows toenails and hair production on my leg has significantly decreased.
There has been numerous hospital visits including being hospitalized for a week at Barrow Neurological Institute in downtown Phoenix. I have also seen multiple specialists and have had numerous tests such as spinal tap, tons of MRIs, EMGs, and other nerve conduction tests. I have undergone two epidurals to my L5-S1, SI joint injection, and 3 grams of Solumedrol infused during my hospital stay (which made me blow up like a marshmallow).
Since July I have been hobbling around using crutches and wheelchairs and have not seen much improvement with my symptoms. Conclusion of the tests are that my main two quad muscles and my tibia muscle are no longer functioning and they no longer suspect it to be a spinal cord injury but they think it is MS.
I have been told that the nerve damage to my leg is permanent and next step is to apply for disability and I am awaiting a second opinion from the Mayo clinic which is a whole nother battle I've been fighting.
I am optimistic & hoping that this is not MS & that I will be able to return back to normal eventually. I am still working at an animal hospital and they have been super generous and accommodating but I have had to cut back hours due to pain. I am back to going to the gym to weight train 4-6 days a week and just doing what I can. I have also started a nail business out of our spare room to help pay for medical expenses! Unfortunately I am no longer personal training in person but I am running the personal training business via online!
So there's my life update. Praying 2026 will bring answers & healing!πͺ