This Year, I’m Thankful for the Good and the Bad
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…
Strength in Weakness
– Michelle Gonzaba
After struggling to identify the cause of her muscle weakness for almost a year, Michelle was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2011. With her column, she hopes to help those with MG know they aren’t alone in their struggles and triumphs. Michelle lives in Texas and enjoys movies, TV, and awards season.
My Biggest Fear Came True, but I Survived It
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…
I Was Surprised to Qualify for the COVID-19 Booster
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…
Captain America Made Me Rethink How to Show Empathy
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…
CellCept’s Benefits Were Worth Dealing With Its Side Effects
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,…
Baking Keeps My MG Anxiety and Stress From Rising
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…
I Had a Negative Experience While Tapering Off Prednisone Quickly
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…
Health Literacy Month Is a Reminder That Knowledge Is Power
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…
Fall Brings a Welcome Break From Heat Exhaustion
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…
Falls Prevention Awareness Day Has New Meaning for Me
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…
How MG Has Made Me a Better Person
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…
Asking for Help Is Never a Sign of Weakness
I’ve never been great at asking for help. Ever since I was a kid, I always thought that asking for help meant I wasn’t as smart as everyone else. I was also petrified…
