3 weeks and counting (well, trying).

Update in Life: I know I said I would try and keep up with my blog regularly but I have been pretty busy lately trying to get my life more together. I have found a new career that is getting me a step closer to my "dream job". I am a lead teacher in a Early Childhood Special Education classroom at a private school that specializes in individuals with Autism. I love it! :)

Update with my MG: I have been getting IVIG treatment every 4 weeks as well as lowering my Prednisone 5 mg every 3-4 weeks  and have been feeling great! Currently I am taking 15 mg of Prednisone and have taken Mestinon maybe 3-5 times within the past two months! :) I have been feeling more active and been able to start doing some light exercises. I have an appointment with my Neuro at the end of November, I hope she is as proud as I am with how under control my MG has been!

Update in weight loss goals: I have been doing some light exercising for three weeks now, I started the week of October 7th doing some walking and stretching, the second week I did more walking and some days at a faster pace, and the third week I continued the walking and added some squats. I do not push myself too much but I try to push myself a little more each time. I am hoping that I will continue to feel well and keep exercising. I have not lost any actual weight (as in pounds) but I have noticed  that my jeans have been fitting better and that I am starting to see my waist/curves a little more defined.(and a few people have noticed also, which is always a great motivator!) :) 

Aside from the exercising that I have been doing, I have been trying to stay under 1500 calories daily as well as attempting to lower my carbs intake. I use the App "My Fitness Pal" to keep track of the calories and carbs, it's an awesome App and I highly recommend it! I have read in a few places that lower calorie intake is recommended for individuals on Prednisone and the lower carb intake is something that I am starting today (October 30) because my doctor recommended yesterday that I lower my carbs intake to try and prevent any other sickness/complication which can also develop due to Prednisone intake (like diabetes). I try to make healthier choices when eating, count all my calories, try not to eat red meat, and have not drank alcohol in 4 weeks! 

I have to admit, it is not easy, but it is something that I am trying very hard because I want to get my life back and be active and be able to go out dancing or rock climbing! I truly believe making all these minor changes is helping me get my MG under control and gain more confidence! 

MG Walk 2013: I am going to walk at the Houston MG Walk on Sunday November 3rd. I have a great little support group that is going with me and so happy to say that my mom is going to be able to be here from Illinois to walk next to me! Last year at the Walk in Illinois I was experiencing double vision, fatigue, and was only able to walk one mile. This year I am hoping that I can walk three miles (I think I can but I always have to be cautious because MG is unpredictable sometimes). I will post an update after the walk to let you know how far I was able to walk! :)

As of now, MG is only treatable, if you would like to make a donation to help support my team and help the MGFA  in finding a cure for Myasthenia Gravis please go to www.mgwalk.org/yme Thanks!

* "Be hopeful, but don't get you're hopes up."

* "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

MG Walk 2013

www.mgwalk.org/yme

Dear Family & Friends,

        First, and foremost I would like to thank you all that supported me and my team last year, there are not enough thank-you's that I can express.

    `As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) in 2009, my family and I have struggled daily with this frustrating auto-immune disease. I have gone through many doctors, medications, surgeries and treatments to try and repress this disease.

        MG is a chronic neuromuscular, autoimmune disorder that causes varying degrees of weakness involving the voluntary muscles of the body. MG can affect people of all races, sexes, and ages. MG may affect any voluntary muscle, but most commonly affects those that control eye movements, eyelids, chewing, swallowing, coughing, facial expressions, legs, arms and even muscles that control breathing. Presently, the cause of Myasthenia Gravis is unknown, and there is no cure.

     As you can imagine, my family and myself were heartbroken as I was diagnosed with MG, especially because I was so active throughout my life involving the muscles that weakened. For the past few years I felt so alone, until last year when I found a few MG support groups and came across the " MG Walk". I never knew that there were so many resources and support groups for MG and this just lifted my spirit so much!

I want to support and provide hope for the entire MG community, to try and assist in finding a cure and hope that one will be found within my lifetime. I decided to participate in walking to benefit the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. I am asking for your support by sending in your tax-deductible donation today! It’s easy. You can support me online by visiting http://www.mgwalk.org/yme and contribute to my page or you can mail a check payable MGFA directly to me.

        MGFA is the only national volunteer health agency dedicated solely to the fight against myasthenia gravis and to serving patients with MG. MGFA has over 20 Chapters around the US serving patients & their families and caregivers through support groups and programs. Each chapter shares the MGFA vision of a world free of MG!

        Although this year I am in another state (Texas) I am excited to still be supporting the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) through the MG Walk. The MGFA is the only national volunteer health agency in the United States dedicated solely to the fight against myasthenia gravis. MGFA is committed to finding a cure for myasthenia gravis and closely related disorders, improving treatment options, and providing information and support to people with myasthenia gravis through research, education, community programs, and advocacy.

        I have had many up's and down's with my Myasthenia Gravis within the past few years, mostly down within the last year, but this year I can say that I am doing so much better and hope to walk longer than last! :) 

     Even though I am in another state than most of my loved ones you can still help support me and the MGFA! Please register to walk with me (if you can make it on Sunday, November 3rd at 9:00 am at Terry Hershey Park in Houston Texas and/OR make a pledge to help me reach my goal of $300!

Together We Can Make A Difference!

Sincerely,

Yesenia (Jenny) Estela