Columns

I believe it’s common for those with chronic illness to dwell on the fact that we can feel like a burden to others. Life with a disease, especially right after diagnosis, can make us susceptible to self-condemnation and feeling like a nuisance. Because we suddenly have more needs than we…

It took almost a year to be diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), after months of suffering from weird symptoms and speaking to numerous medical professionals. It was such a disorienting experience for me, but I felt complete relief at finally being able to…

Going on road trips is one of my passions. I love it because it is better for the environment than flying, and traveling in a car allows for a healthy mix of adventure and never knowing what you might come upon. Life is short, but road trips were how I…

On my side of the world, we are beginning to see temperatures drop. I’ve never been a big fan of summer. I don’t enjoy sweating, and I like mosquitoes even less. For someone like me, who lives with myasthenia gravis (MG), summer also means heat exhaustion. So, I’ve…

I don’t recoil at the sight of a scar left by a transsternal thymectomy — the surgical removal of my thymus gland — three months ago. I’d prefer it wasn’t there, of course, but I’m starting to embrace it. The scar reveals a little about who I am, like…

Around three years ago, I welcomed home an Italian greyhound puppy named Pablo. He changed my life for the better. Now, my boyfriend, Tom, and I have adopted another 1-year-old Italian greyhound. Blitz with a goofy grin. (Photo by Retha de Wet) His name is Blitz, which means…

Many years ago, my grandfather ended up in the hospital due to a bad fall. Luckily, he didn’t break any bones and was released after a brief stay. I don’t have strong memories from this experience, but one thing I do recall is the bright yellow “FALL RISK” wristband…

Those of us with myasthenia gravis (MG) sometimes blame the disease for causing negative emotional responses. But this can be an unhealthy and misguided approach. Sure, our adverse reactions to problems associated with MG may reflect our grief in response to…

Growing up, for lack of a better term, is very weird. I no longer understand what’s cool or not, I now repeat phrases my mother says (“All of these rappers sound the same!”), and my lower back can’t handle my odd sitting positions anymore. I didn’t think I would stay…

Like myasthenia gravis, being an introvert is a constant battle. I have been a wallflower for as long as I can remember. I never preferred group settings, particularly ones where I had to interact without my parents. As a child, it was easy to recognize that I was socially distinct.