| ..... |
 |
 |
GAIL RENDERMAN Inspirational Speaker & Author of "DON'T DRIVE ON THE SIDEWALK" (Inspirations through the DETOURS of Life!) |
ABOUT MYASTHENIA GRAVIS (MG) When people hear the word Myasthenia Gravis (MG) the first question they ask me is "What is it?" I asked the same question when my neurologist told me that I had MG. Actually, being the wife of a "car buff", the first thing that came to mind was the MG sports car, but I knew I didn't own one of them. Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune-neuromuscular disorder, which is characterized by fluctuating weakness of the voluntary muscle group. Muscles that control movement of the arms, legs, head, neck, talking, chewing, swallowing, coughing, facial expressions and breathing may become affected. Ocular Myasthenia Gravis occurs when the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids are primarily affected. Individuals with MG have physical symptoms that tend to fluctuate thoughout the day. The symptoms from one MG patient to another also tend to vary. It is common for the fatigue to worsen as the day progresses. Rest often brings some relief. MG can be a very humbling disorder. Patients are often dependent on others for assistance. They may start their day nearly normal and be struggling with many challenges by the end. Symptoms may fluctuate from day to day, and hour to hour. Activities and enviromental changes can greatly affect it. Breathing problems can become a serious, potentially life-threatening complication of MG. Because MG affects each person so differently, it is sometimes referred to as a "Snowflake" disease, no two are the same. There is no cure for MG, but there are effective treatments that allow many, but not all people with MG, to lead full lives. Common treatments include medications, thymectomy and plasmapheresis. For more information on Myasthenia Gravis, you may contact: Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. 5841 Cedar Lake Road, Suite #204 Minneapolis, MN 55416 1-800-541-5454 www.myasthenia.org ABOUT MITOCHONDRIAL MYOPATHY Shortly after learning that I had MG, I was also diagnosed with Mitochondrial Myopathy (MM). The Mitochondria are the energy centers of your cells. To read more about Mitochondrial Myopathy please go to www.mda.org |
 |
| MY MG ISN'T A SPORTS CAR!!! |
| "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up as with wings of eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." ~ Isaiah 40:31 |
| HOME | BIOGRAPHY | KEYNOTE PERFORMANCES | SPEAKING TOPICS BOOK PAGE & ORDERING INFORMATION | ABOUT MYASTHENIA GRAVIS | MY MARY KAY CAREER |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| I've found that laughter is the BEST thing to help us get through the tough times in life. I'm married to a "car buff", so I wrote this light-hearted twist on MG to keep people laughing! MY MG ISN'T A SPORTS CAR by Gail Renderman My engine was running rough, It went chug - chug all the time, The get up and go wasn't any more, It was hard to tell the technician what was wrong, I thought he would walk out the door. My windshield was blurry & I was seeing things, That I knew just were not there. I needed it checked out, but it was hard to find, Someone who would listen and care. My poor little chassis was getting pretty weak, I thought it was on its last legs. Then the technician said "You have MG!" And I said "Excuse me, what did you say?" "The MG is a sports car and I know for sure, One of them I own not." He said "MG stands for Myasthenia Gravis. It gets worse when the weather is hot." I asked "A My-a-stheen-a What-is?" And he said "Let me explain." "It's a disease that affects the neurotransmitters, And to diagnose it can really be a pain." "Your eyes will see double, your energy will be low, And you'll feel like you're losing your mind, But once we find out and give you some medication, You'll feel better, at least some of the time." "Not many have it, so it's hard to diagnose, Some doctors still don't know what to do. Many people will have trouble eating or walking, And sometimes it will feel like the flu." People will say 'Hey, you look great!', Even though you feel aweful inside. They don't know what it takes to simply get dressed, Or have the energy to go for a ride. But, if GOD gave you this, HE knows you are tough, And HE'll be there to help you get through. So keep your spirits up & rest when you must, And always keep your chassis cool! Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved TO ORDER GAIL'S BOOK, OR HAVE THIS INSPIRING LADY SPEAK FOR YOUR BUSINESS GROUP, CIVIC ORGANIZATION, SCHOOL, CHURCH, YOUTH GROUP, OR AT YOUR NEXT EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT: GAIL RENDERMAN GR8 EAGLE PROMOTIONS (920) 921-0538 gr8eagle@sbcglobal.net www.gailrenderman.com "DON'T DRIVE ON THE SIDEWALK" is also available on-line at: Amazon.com, Borders.com, BarnesAndNoble.com and Target.com |