Bike MS Champions - Susan Bruno

Susan Bruno (Manchester, Mo) has lived with MS for more than 11 years.  In 2010, her husband, Phil, surprised her with a tandem bike for their 27th wedding anniversary.  This year, Susan and Phil will celebrate their 30th anniversary and their fourth year riding together at Bike MS.

Q: When were you diagnosed with MS?

Susan: I was diagnosed in 2002, 11 years ago.  However, I realize now, with the help of my MS doctors, that I had MS for years prior and I never knew what was wrong with me. 

I’m from a big Italian family.  We love to cook, eat, and laugh!   I was having a very hard time walking.  I would have to grab a hold of a railing to pull myself up.  I thought, “I am really overweight.” 

I also started to fall, but I was too embarrassed to tell anyone.  I even had bruises but I would just say I was clumsy.  I could not see out of the middle of my eye.  I ran to Wal-Mart to get in to see an eye doctor fast, because I was going to Disney World the very next day and I could not get in to see my regular eye doctor.  She said she saw lesions in my eye.  I pushed her to let me know what that meant.  She said she thought I had MS.  Wow.  What a way to start a vacation!

She was correct.  After coming back home, I had a spinal tap and saw many doctors.  They all concluded that I, indeed, did have MS.

Q: Tell me about being diagnosed with MS.  What is your story?

Susan:  Phil and I have three kids.  At the time of my diagnosis, their ages were 9, 13, and 15.  Mom was their cook, teacher, taxi driver, softball coach, Cub Scout leader, room mom, etc.  How were we going to tell them about Mom having MS?  It was a tearful conversation, but we wanted them to be part of this process.

After reading and hearing from my doctors, I wanted the best treatment that was available.  So, I started on Avonex, an intramuscular shot in my leg, once a week.  My husband is my caregiver.  We would ice up the injection spot and he would slowly give me the medicine.  We called it “Mom’s Friday Night Cocktail”.  I’m sure my kids’ friends were confused with what we were talking about, but we tried to keep things light, with a smile on our faces.

Q: How did you respond to hearing you have MS?

Susan: I could not believe it at first.  I got on the internet and looked up all the facts about MS.  I also work full time.  I told my manager, but I did not want anyone else at work to know. 
My husband became my care provider right away.  He administered my drug, helped me walk to the ladies’ room at work, dropped me off at the front door when needed, and was right there with me when I needed to stay in on a Friday night to rest up.  Yes, he is awesome!!  This year, we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary together

Q: How did your family get involved with Bike MS?

Susan: After I was diagnosed with MS, my husband wanted to ride in Bike MS to raise money to find a CURE for his wife’s MS.  In 2004, he dusted off his early ’80s bike, strapped on his old shoes, and rode 67 miles before his legs said, “No more!”  He is a trooper. 

The month before I was diagnosed with MS, he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  Yes, a lot was going on in the Bruno household.  Since that first bike ride, he has lost more than 200 lbs.  He says that he has to be stronger for me.

The next year, I wanted to go to the ride.  I did not have the balance I needed to ride a bike, but I thought I could volunteer at the event.  I helped out at the breakfast tent, scooping out eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. for the riders.  This was a great way to thank all the riders who helped raise money to find a cure for MS. 

After breakfast was over, I helped clean up and then ran over to the corporate tents to get ready for the riders to return.  Some of the riders would be back at noon, while other riders would make it back for the dinner hour.  My job was to set up and cook the food.  The first year, our three kids came to help out.  That was so much fun. 

I also wanted to put a “mom” twist on the fun, so I came up with gift bags for our group.  To win the gift bags, we had categories: “The Best Bike Story,” “Most Colorful Rider,” “Most Spirited New Rider,” “Most Helpful Volunteer,” and my favorite, “The Turtle Award.”  That is the person to arrive at the tent last.  We had so much fun hearing the ride stories, volunteering, and laughing with each other.

Q: What is the best memory you have about Bike MS?

Susan: For eight years, I would help with the food and support bikers with cheers as they rode off on their way.  I would hear their fantastic stories about the rest stops and which one was their favorite.  I had no idea what they were talking about.  My husband noticed me just listening while others were laughing it up.  The following year, on our anniversary, he surprised me with a tandem bike.  He said, “Now, you can become a participant in Bike MS with me!”  I was SO excited!

We started to practice in July on some of the trails around St. Louis.  He has clip shoes and stays clipped in to hold me up when we come to a stop.  I do not have the strength to unclip myself.  All I wanted to do was make it to a rest stop.  The rest stop was 10 miles out.  With the help of other riders on the course, we made it up hills to the stop!  We rested and rode 10 miles back together – smiling and singing.  It was phenomenal experiencing the “FINISH LINE”.  My heart was filled with joy and happiness to be able to participate in something so wonderful with my husband, Phil, at the helm!  I love that man!!

Q: What ways has Bike MS changed your life or affected you?

Susan: Bike MS has changed the way I openly tell people that I have MS.  For years, only a select few knew I had MS.  Now, I am telling everyone that I have MS and to support the Society.  The event brings all kinds of people together in a very positive atmosphere.  Anyone can ride.  They have 20, 40, 75, and 100 mile routes for beginner to advance riders.  After the ride, you just sit back, listen to great music, and tell stories about your fun day!