Columns

Today, May 5, is widely celebrated in the U.S. as Cinco de Mayo. As a proud Mexican American, I never ignore this particular day. While I don’t party hard like others, I do take a few minutes to acknowledge the meaning of the…

Those of us with myasthenia gravis have several treatment options to help us get our lives back on track. My road to remission consisted of prednisone, Mestinon (pyridostigmine), CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) replacement therapy, and a thymectomy…

Like most people with myasthenia gravis (MG) and other health conditions, I’ve been spending a lot of time at home over the last year. During this time, I’ve tried out several new hobbies with differing degrees of success. I’ve gained some…

Before I ever knew what myasthenia gravis (MG) is, I had a normal amount of stress in my life. I was used to dealing with different types of anxiety each day, from “What am I going to do with my life?” to “What…

I consider myself incredibly lucky. While I’ve had a couple small flare-ups from myasthenia gravis (MG), I’ve been mostly symptom-free for the past five years. It’s a weird feeling — the transition from total weakness to no weakness took years, but it feels like…

Memory is a funny thing. From vivid recollections to those we barely remember, the most random memories can invoke the strongest emotions. Sometimes a certain image or noise will prompt a memory from long ago. I have plenty of memories of…

While it’s not a positive emotion, we have all experienced denial. I’ve denied so many things in my life, from major events to inconsequential moments. And when I say inconsequential, I mean it: Jennifer Lopez not being nominated for an Oscar…

On the inside of my right arm, just above the bend of my elbow, I have a small, circular scar. It’s a shade lighter than my skin tone and about the size of a peppercorn. It isn’t very noticeable, and I think I’m the only one who can…

Life with myasthenia gravis has taken some dramatic turns and created both challenges and opportunities. One of those dramatic moments was having to decide in my early 20s whether I want to have children. Many medications I take have side effects. In previous columns, I discussed the side effects…

I started coughing last week. Really coughing. The kind that hurts your ribs after a while, and wakes you up during the night. It’s the kind of cough that makes people move away from you in public as they whisper behind their hands. I had flown to another…