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Anxiety and stress have always been a part of my life. Both have swirled around in my head since I was a small child, years before I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG). And they go hand in hand: I become anxious when I’m…

Trauma can result from scary, emotionally disturbing, or threatening events. Any event can be traumatic, depending on how the person perceives it. The effects of trauma Trauma can have harmful effects on health, functioning, and overall well-being. The Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center website notes that exposure to…

I have a love-hate relationship with the corticosteroid prednisone. After I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2011,  prednisone gave me back my strength almost instantly. It was like a miracle, and I was extremely grateful. But I never expected the side effects that came with it.

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…