Strength In Weakness – a Column by Michelle Gonzaba

I’ve never been the most positive person in the world. I’ve discussed in previous columns how my negative tendencies have affected my life, but I’ve since made progress in becoming more positive. The journey has had its hurdles, though. In the early years after my myasthenia gravis diagnosis,…

Throughout the year, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy alcoholic drinks. But I’ve always felt that the holiday season offers the best cocktails and treats. I could blame it on the colder weather or the festive atmosphere, but the month of December always inspires me to look at the…

After I’ve put away my Halloween decorations and watched my final viewing of the movie “Hocus Pocus“ for the year, my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. As October becomes November, I always begin to ponder what I’m thankful for. It hasn’t always been…

There’s always this weird period between getting tested for a medical condition and actually getting diagnosed with it. A person may be almost certain of their illness, but they can’t start treatment until it’s been confirmed. It’s like waiting to cross the most important street in your life; the path…

I received two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, one in April and the other in May. With my limited medical and scientific knowledge, I thought those two shots would be the only ones I’d need for the foreseeable future, but I was wrong; the U.S.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in one’s own life. We can try to show empathy and understanding, and to see things through another person’s eyes, but sometimes it’s difficult. We all think we are the main character in every situation, even though we clearly aren’t. Sometimes…

When I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), I quickly became overwhelmed with all of the different ways it could be treated. I had no idea which treatments would work best for me, but I trusted that my doctor would choose the best course of action. Like many people…

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…

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.

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…