About M.C.

Poet, Author, Survivor

M.C. Rydel lives in his native city of Chicago, worked for years as a Dean for the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and now teaches literature and creative writing at Loyola University Chicago. M.C. has published poems in a variety of journals and performed them at such iconic venues as Heirloom Books, Wicker Mic, the Elevator Sessions, In One Ear at the Heartland Café, and Flatts & Sharpe Music Company in Chicago, and the Parkside Lounge in New York City.

Myasthenia Gravis

What is Myasthenia Gravis?

As reported by the Cleveland Clinic web site, Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy parts by mistake . MG affects the communication between nerves and muscles (the neuromuscular junction).

“People with MG lose the ability to control muscles voluntarily. They experience muscle weakness and fatigue of various severity. They may not be able to move muscles in the eyes, face, neck, and limbs (My Cleveland Clinic.org) I first experienced MG driving home from work when my eyelids involuntarily shut while I was going west at 50 mph on Lake-Cook Road in Northbrook, Illinois.

I drove one-handed for several miles as my second hand propped open one eye. I pulled into a mall parking lot. I took a nap until sunset and made it home in one piece. The next day, I contacted my Parkinson’s neurologist. He introduced me to MG.

What are the types of Myasthenia Gravis?

Two types of MG exist.

Ocular MG : Two different muscles open and close your eyelids. MG attacks these muscles and causes the eyelids to droop or even close.
Generalized MG: “Nearly half of people with ocular MG evolve into the generalized form within two years of the first symptom. This form of MG attacks the face, neck, arms, legs,and throat. (Patients) find it difficult to speak or swallow, lift (their) arms over your head, stand up from a seated position, walk long distances, and climb stairs.

I counter-attack MG every day by walking 10,000 steps, playing golf, and climbing stairs with caution and resolve. Everyone in my family tells me to avoid spiral staircases in October.(Just kidding… read the book.)

Where do I go from here?

Most MG’ers avoid hot weather, but I have thrived in Arizona during the winter and in Chicago over the summer. So, here’s what I do:

Take my MG medicine three times per day.
Exercise daily.
Eat my vegetables.
Eat healthy carbs.
Help Creative Writing students with their poems.
Continue to write at least one new poem per week.
Attend online Zoom poetry open mic’s.
Prepare for the August 9th release of Almost a Memoir.

Just for fun, let’s end with a trivia question. What’s the name of the movie in which Cary Grant takes Marilyn Monroe for a joy ride in a 1950 MG? Trust me. He doesn’t take a nap in a mall parking lot. Type your guess in the Contact page.

Parkinson's

My life changed in 2018 when my new neurologist confirmed that I had Parkinson’s Disease (PD). My kids had noticed something months earlier. They thought I had suffered a stroke They insisted that I see a doctor. My General Practitioner knew right away. Parkinson’s.

A few months later, an even newer neurologist confirmed that I also had myasthenia gravis (MG) and I needed plasmapheresis. Combining these two diseases meant that I needed Physical Therapy to combat my symptoms:

Dragging the right leg;
Getting my right arm stuck in a Napoleonic pose;
Falling down stairs;
Experiencing ptosis in both eyes;
And, having difficulty talking.

I started taking 18 pills per day (3 every 4 hours + 6 others). Mainly dopamine. I joined rock steady boxing. I improved. I even lived in my basement for 18 months to avoid Covid. I regressed a bit and gained weight.

In June 2021, things got worse. I learned that my job would end on 12/31/21. I lost two friends to Covid and two other friends to different diseases. I stayed in the basement and gained more weight.

Yet, one door closed and another one opened. I still had my part-time job as an adjunct online English instructor at Loyola University ,and I claimed social security. I joined Jenny Craig and lost 45 pounds. I submitted my book of poems to Atmosphere Press, who will publish Almost a Memoir on August 9, 2022.

I spent three months in Phoenix with my son, his fiancée, and her non-English speaking Serbian grandfather. (We became friends via Google Translate.) I travelled to Sedona, competed in a poetry slam, and met other poets and artists in what I would describe as a sacred part of the country. My experience verified a thesis argued by Bio News columnist Dr. C. Resilience and sacredness are helping me live with PD and MG. Now, my life style includes:

Walking 10,000 steps per day
Doing at-home PT.
Making time for mindfulness and reiki.
Practicing daily at a driving range.
Playing 54 holes of golf per week.
I will resume Rock Steady Boxing soon.
Writing 24 new poems,
- I’ve also begun writing a play.
Continuing to teach literature and creative writing online at Loyola.
- I will also teach 2 new classes (face-to-face) at the College of Lake County (CLC) in the Fall term.

Life is good right now. None of this would be possible, though, without the support of my wife, my children, their spouses, my sister and brother-in-law, my wife’s family, and all of my many friends and relatives. I would like to help other PD and MG patients by advocating for a cure to these debilitating diseases.

I know there are many talented poets, writers, artists, musicians, and actors who counteract the effects of PD and MG with their creativity. I invite you to send me a message on the Contact option on this web site. I would love to hear from you.

M.C. Rydel