Why wear a ribbon?

"My uncle died from esophageal cancer." (Aprilis42)

MDJunction to me

"In the 3 months I have been with MDJunction I have developed a sense of calmness. I now friends who do not judge me because I have been a mental mess at times. It is such a good feeling to have friends I can tell my deepest thoughts and always get back to me with their support. I have never seen a therapist for long periods of time. Right or wrong, this is the best therapy possible for me. Thanks Roy for getting this up and running and making such a difference in my life. Sara" (saralaurie)

more testimonials

That's the way I roll!

I do not wear rose-colored glasses, nor would I consider myself the epitome of optimism. However, I am cautiously optimistic about living with chronic illnesses for which I am told there is no cure.
When I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 1996, I wasn't terribly upset. It was what it was and it was my responsibility to work with my endocrinologist by taking my meds and HRT as instructed and keep my appointments. Check.

In 1999 when I was officially diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, I'll admit that it was a small shock (doctors at the time suspected Multiple Sclerosis), but, again, wasn't falling apart at the seams. My neurologist appeared very knowledgeable (and, in fact, is knowledgeable) regarding MG, ordered the appropriate tests, and taught me much about MG aside from my own "research" on this disease. Again, it was my responsibility to work with my neurologist by taking my meds and keeping my appointments in addition to re-training myself on the daily activities with which I dealt.

In 2001, I was diagnosed with Lupus (SLE) after years of tests and appts with my present rheumatologist and with audio/visual spatial cog. dysfunction by me present neuropsychologist. Okay, this was all beginning to catch up with me. To make matters worse, I was diagnosed with depression.

Inspite of the above, I was determined to not give up hope. My faith had something to do with that, but my outlook on life in general had an equal share in that determination and hope.

To say that "every day is a treasure chest" may sound a bit Polly-Anna to others, but I am far from being a Polly-Anna. My outlook is that each morning I awake to a new day not knowing what positive things I might come across. But I always knew (and still know) that I will discover something that will benefit myself or will give me the opportunity to benefit someone else. I never know when I put my hand into this treasure chest, what small gift I will grasp. This is my gift to relish and/or glean some sort of understanding that I had not otherwise comprehended. This is my gift to give to someone else, should I wish to or know of someone that would benefit from such enlightenment, if you will. These gifts are not monumental in and of themselves, but by the very nature of each day's discovery I may be better able to help improve myself, or enrich someone else's day.

Something as small as a sincere smile...I'm talking a smile that comes right up from my toes and out my eyes...to someone who is having a lousy day or just needs an emotional boost to their self-esteem. Offering to give a cashier fifty-cents so the kid in front of me can enjoy the candybar he could not otherwise afford. Sending my family a brief text message in the morning, telling them I love them.

By enriching others by any means,no matter how seemingly insignificant, I enrich myself.

Whether it's your treasure chest or your oyster bed, remember what is truly important and never...ever...give up.

Peace out!
Lynne

My diagnoses are Myasthenia Gravis, SLE (lupus), Graves' Disease (post-ablative RAI-131 in 1997), other CNS issues, cord compression in cervical, thoracic and sacral spine areas; mod-severe OA; TIA in 2005. Other issues.

I'm here to offer support and share.

I am back, but not up to snuff yet.

Jul 07 2009

It sucks to be sick on your wedding anniversary. Hubby and I spent our 17th wedding anniversay quietly and that was fine with both of us.

My daughter's surgery was rescheduled for the17th, so I will be leaving St. Petersburg on the 16th and hubby will be home to tend to the cats and the guinea pigs.

You know the one thing I miss about life before chronic illness? The ability to effectively and constructively handle any form of stress. I mean, for heaven's sake: I was a certified admin. medical assistant for many years; managed a doctor's office; assisted with walk-in emergencies (which rarely happens at all anymore) and out-patient surgeries. I thrived on stress. It was my life's blood.

But for the past many years, such has not been the case and it really frustrates me that symptoms become exacerbated and must step back and take a long breath and get lots and lots of rest. Seems like a waste of time to me; I'm not one to lay around the house with my feet up and the TV on, at all.

So, for what it's worth, I am back and will do my best to catch up on what I've missed, answer posts, welcome newbies, and post some interesting research findings regarding MG.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Lynne

Previous diary posts by LupieToons:

Sliding in to first base on a gravel ball diamond
Test results are in (saw PCP today)
The lupus is in a slow progression.
There is a lot of death around me at this time...
Sliding into 2009 and Already, I need a Nap!

God is great.
My daughter has cancer.
Back home
October 8th is just around the corner.
Good news and better news!

Comments (2) Add Comment

written by nuicgood, August 05, 2009

Hi Lynne,

Missed hearing from you. How is your daughter doing? I am so glad you wrote what it is like with MG, because somedays I feel like there is something wrong with me for not being able to handle the smallest stressful situations. I feel like I should be stronger than that. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Take Care,

Lisa

written by LupieToons, August 07, 2009

Hi Lisa,

It's good to hear from you. How have you been? When "small" stress builds, it leads to a larger stressful reaction to MG. It's not a matter of your constitution getting weaker, it's the MG (in a kind of blessing sort of way) keeping you from doing things you shouldn't at that time.

My daughter is coming along well, we hope. Her PCP cleared her for surgery on her "foot" before he ran the tests he wanted for diabetes! Now, he's sweating, as well he should be. Diabetics must be very careful about their foot hygiene and any wounds. She'll find out Monday about the rest of her labs.

On the 25th of Aug, I head back north to take her for her (hopefully) final post-op. Then we have to schedule her other foot for surgery (for the same thing). That will be another 8 weeks in a jump-boot. I stay with her for as long as I can then the friends and neighbors help her out when she needs it.

Then there's the surgery on her back and (most likely) both hips as they are subluxating: they're not supposed to do that. There's definitely an autoimmune process going on with her. They're watching her for lupus, also.

I am SO overdue for my B12 shot and see my PCP this coming Saturday. I don't believe these shots are helping me. I will talk with the doc about that. I'm having labs done next week, ordered by my rheumatologist for the usual tests done when lupus is present.

September is more of the same. One day at a time, right?

Thank you for writing, Lisa. Let me know how you are doing in this summer heat vs. makign the most of your MG.

Take care,

Lynne