That day will go down in history, my first overnight stay at the hospital. It was a day full of fear and a lot of news. The doctors spent two days curing my newfound paralysis after I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis. I was hooked up to an IV and started a treatment plan. That new treatment would become a regular thing as every three weeks I would now have to spend two days in the hospital receiving infusions. I also would have to take two types of medicine- a steroid and an immune system suppressant- four times a day. So much work just to be able to walk, to talk, to see, and to live.
I was so frustrated with the world and why such things happened to me. What made it worse is the nature of autoimmune diseases. There is no telling what they will do and when they will chose to flare up or how your body will react to certain medications. After getting released from the hospital I was as happy as a clam I could cheer and do everything I loved still. I thought this silly little disease after all would not affect my life that much. However, two weeks later I found myself back in the hospital after my face began to paralyze one random afternoon.
That random afternoon everything seemed to be normal, and my body seemed to be accepting the steroids well. But, when I went to eat lunch I had trouble chewing my food and choked on it. Sounds embarrassing now to say, but I honestly couldn’t help it. My eyelids shortly after began to droop and I had trouble seeing. Another round of million tests later they learned my body was rejecting the steroids causing this kind of reaction.
Once again I was angry at the world. I had so much hope that my condition would not affect my life, but already it was proven it would be a battle. This is only the beginning of my journey, but I was already beginning to learn the flexibility needed. I would have to learn to embrace my change and be prepared for some not so good days ahead. We need to learn to keep an open mind, and I can attest as I am here today, even when things go wrong there can be good.
Next week I will touch on good things that have come out of diagnosis. I can’t wait to continue to share my story with you! Remember our struggles don’t define us.
