Columns

When I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, I did what most people would do: I Googled my new rare disease and came to the instant conclusion that I would die within the next 48 hours. Dramatic, yes, but Google searches rarely lead to encouraging news. Before my diagnosis, I…

I am currently composing this column six hours out from my transsternal thymectomy. Five mishaps leading up to the surgery have gone wrong on the scheduling side, and then the COVID-19 office lost my test. I have been relatively happy leading up to this, but it seems everything…

Time has been my greatest teacher. She has taught me patience, resilience, and true commitment. She has taught me so many things I would love to share with my younger self. If my myasthenia gravis diagnosis has taught me anything, it’s to appreciate movement. Go for every run I can.

Some events in life are like a door hinge: They are so transformational that they cause you to swing entirely in a different direction. For example, years before I began dealing with the first symptoms of myasthenia gravis (MG), I suffered the loss of my father. That was the first…

Snowflakes never meant much to me. As a kid, I would catch them in my mouth as they fell from the sky and cut their shapes out of construction paper. Now, after my myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis, I look at snowflakes with a newfound admiration and wonder. A miraculous…

During a consultation with my psychiatrist, she told me I have a Type A personality. “Me?!” I thought. That can’t be right. However, I have tremendous respect for her as a medical specialist, so I took her word for it. The more I read about Type A personalities,…

If I asked 10 people to describe what being a “good friend” means, I would probably hear 10 different responses. But while these responses would be diverse, I’d guess that most would think a good friend needs to be empathetic. Throughout my life, I’ve tried to be as empathetic…

In friendly relationships, I always try to remain compassionate and remember that people’s past encounters and experiences shape who they are. In order to grow, people need to be open-minded and teachable. In certain uncomfortable situations, I let unintentional offenses slide, I attempt to teach, and I move on…

I often write about the beauty of life by sharing lessons I’ve learned from living with myasthenia gravis (MG). I tend to be optimistic in my approach to the hand life dealt me. However, one other thing MG has taught me is that being strong by yourself isn’t…

It’s difficult to explain to a 20-something in perfect health why raising rare disease awareness is important. However, I had just turned 20 when my entire life was turned upside down by a myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis. Illness does not discriminate — anyone can be affected by it at…