Saying Sayonara To The Pacific Northwest

[+ Gar1eth]

Myasthenia Gravis is classified as a rare disease. There are estimated to be only 60,000 to 100,000 people with it in the United States. I always knew I was special. I just didn’t know I was a 1 out of 60,000 to 100,000 special.

 

When I was diagnosed in October, it seemed like it was just going to be an annoyance that I would get used to. That’s still true, but the symptoms have become more onerous starting in December . I was hospitalized three weeks ago for five days of intravenous gamma globulin due to moderate problems eating. It was taking me three hours to finish a hamburger because my jaws were too weak to chew. And at least 50% of the time food would lodge at the back of my throat. I’d have to cough to try to get it so I could attempt chewing it again.

 

And then there’s been loss of hand strength, trouble talking, difficulty holding my head up, and multiple other symptoms that can change from day to day.

 

All isn’t hopeless. Before I was on therapy that was only directed at symptoms. The fact that the medication isn’t cutting it anymore means the myasthenia has progressed to the point that I need therapy that attacks the disease and doesn’t just try to ameliorate the symptoms while allowing the underlying disease to progress. Those are medications that decrease the immune system much like someone who has received an organ transplant. The first medication they usually try is high dose prednisone for at least 6 to 8 weeks-or longer if it continues causing further improvement after that. I’m on about day 12 of taking 60 mg of Prednisone. I’m not sure if it’s really done anything yet except give me two forehead zits (sorry if that was too TMI).

 

In any case I wasn’t working a lot before my diagnosis, these new symptoms combined with the hospitalization have made it pretty much impossible to work at all.

 

Hopefully in 6 to 8 weeks I’ll be much better from the prednisone. But whether I am or not, the time has come, as the Walrus is wont to say, to go back home to be with family in Texas. On one hand I’m sorry to leave the PNW. On the other hand my Mom is 83. She’s in pretty good health. But still, she’s 83. It used to really upset me to leave her after a visit. I also have 4-greats (great nieces and nephews) all under 6 years of age. One just turned two, and I’ve only seen her about three times. As Erma Bombeck once wrote, “Families, The Ties That Bind- And Gag. But in spite of the gagging to come, it is time for the prodigal Gman to return to the fold.

 

Sayonara PNW. I’ll miss you.

Dallas, place of my birth, I’m coming home.

 

Gman

[+ FreshFluff]

Gman, I'm glad you're going home to be with family. You will be inn my thoughts as you try out different medications to address this and as you work to adjust to it. I wish I had some advice.

[BabyBoomer]

Keep fighting this Gman. Don't give up. I think going home is the sensible thing to do.

 

~Boomer~

[+ purplekow]

Hopefully coming home will bring you increased strength and a significant remission in your symptoms.

[bigvalboy]

God Bless you Gman, you've always been one of the good guys on here, and a true gentleman. Sorry to here you are leaving your loved PNW, but corny as it is to say, "For every door that closes, another one opens". Stay positive, and keep looking forward. Speaking for many of us here, you can always come and bend our ear.

[Moondance]

"Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." -- Robert Frost

 

Sorry for what you're grappling with, Gman. Best wishes with the move. I hope your family is a source of comfort and support for you.

Edited March 16, 2018 by Moondance

[BasketBaller]

Be strong and stay upbeat. Enjoy being near your family. And keep posting here!

Edited March 15, 2018 by BasketBaller

[+ deej]

Sorry to hear about this Gman.

 

If it's any consolation (and I know it isn't) I have an uncle who has been dealing with mg for 15 years. It's no cakewalk but it isn't an immediate death sentence.

[+ Eric Hassan]

Thank you for sharing this with us so we can know and support you. I hope the move goes smoothly and that the time with family and at home helps you heal. Please keep us posted! Sending you light and love.

[+ Funguy]

All my good wishes and luck be with you. We've done the back and forth's and i think both the prednisone and the move will be beneficial.

[+ LIguy]

Gman, I wish you all the best......I was treated with high doses of prednisone (started with 120mgs then down to 60mgs for 1 year)and as someone who's been there see an endocrinologist when the time comes to taper off and taper very slowly. Looking forward to hearing your progress.

[marylander1940]

@Gar1eth

 

All your boys in Seattle will miss you!

 

Get well soon!

 

I see many more Chanukahs in your future!

 

[Chuckball]

I doubt anyone on the forum was not moved by your post, @Gar1eth. We're all cheering for an early recovery. You are well-loved by us all. Keep us posted from Texas as your treatment continues.

[+ oldNbusted]

I hope everything works out for the best.

[MikeBiDude]

I know it’s for the best....and I know you’ll keep in touch.

[+ honcho]

I hope you'll continue to grace us with your kind company as you are able ...

[rvwnsd]

Hey, GMan, I'll be thinking about you move back home and as you fight this disease. Stay strong (or as strong as you can) and keep fighting. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[+ bashful]

My best wishes to you, and your family. Sometimes, you just have to lean family, and others too, if only for a kind word, or for them to just listen. Glad you shared this with us. Hope you keep us posted.

[MikeBiDude]

P.S. tell your mom to make a brisket for you on your homecoming and send us the recipe!

[Beancounter]

While you’ll miss the Pacific Northwest we Dallasites welcome you with open arms. Fight the good fight! Who knows? Maybe we’ll meet and I can fill you in on all the Dallas dirt (and there’s a ton of that to sift through).

[+ Tarte Gogo]

Hey Gman, you know best what to do, I am sure it will help to move back. Hope your health improves and the doctors find something that works reliably for you.

[+ friendofsheila]

I guess you're trading banana slugs for tarantulas?

 

I'm sorry to hear that you're not well. I wish you the best of luck recovering and adjusting to your new home.

[OneFinger]

So sorry to hear of this latest development. Hope it all works out.

[LoveNDino]

Best wishes and more power @Gar1eth.

[+ saminseattle]

I’m sorry to see you leaving and wish you the best in the move and with your new treatment.

 

Incidentally, I was just checking out the ads in Dallas and saw lots of folks visiting there from here (plus I believe that AndrewK is also in the midst of moving there), so if you get a hankering for a “taste” of the PNW, you’ll have lots of options