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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.