Columns

When it comes to illness, we like having a reason for it. When my stomach hurts, I ask myself what I ate. When I catch the flu, I wonder who I might have gotten it from. So when I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), my first questions were…

Every eight weeks, when I sit in an infusion chair, I can’t help but think of the small, patient labor that had to happen before the medication Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) ever found my veins. Myasthenia gravis (MG) doesn’t care much about history, but I do, and Ultomiris has one worth…

Being told “no” never gets easier. Even though I’m an adult, that two-letter word has the ability to bring out my inner tantrum-throwing toddler in their “terrible twos.” My husband, Justin, has found a way to lessen the blow so that “no” becomes a …

Navigating chronic illness often means balancing conventional medicine, complementary care, and well-meaning advice. One columnist reflects on finding a thoughtful, whole-person approach without losing sight of safety.

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various pain management techniques. Not everyone will have the same response to these modalities. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Living with a chronic illness means I am never truly well. Early in the morning, my muscles might…

I have an unusual and slightly weird affection for old-time hymns. Something in me responds to the great hymns that have endured for thousands of years, such as “Sub Tuum Praesidium,” one of the oldest known hymns in Christianity. I feel a physical reaction to them. I also…

Myasthenia gravis (MG) has taken plenty from me — strength, stamina, the ability to pretend I’m fine when I’m absolutely not. But here’s the twist nobody expects: Some of the things MG yanked out of my life were things I should’ve tossed years ago. MG may be a…

I was having a spirited discussion with my twin, Aaron, about the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” film when I suddenly noticed something. His eyes moved, just a little, and his eyelids weren’t drooping! Normally when I talk to him, his pupils don’t move or his eyelids droop due to myasthenia…

When I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), the flare was so severe that I could no longer pray the way I used to. As a Muslim, I pray five times a day, and the prayer ritual includes standing, bowing, kneeling, and getting back up several times, but my…

Texas in July is rough. By 9 a.m., the light is blinding and the heat is oppressive. The grass has given up and gone the color of straw. Cicadas saw away at the heat. You move from one air-conditioned location to another. The spaces in between are brutal reminders that…