The Silver Lining

July 15-20 Sunday morning.  We were supposed to be headed to the beach for a week.  We’d been planning it for months.  Normally, I would have already had everything packed but I hadn’t had the energy or ability to even collect my thoughts about it. Just as well. I wound up in an ambulance, going back to the hospital in full Myasthenic Crisis.  I remember the paramedic reading up on MG as we rode.  He continually monitored me, spoke soothingly to me.  I squeezed the pump respirator, trying to force enough air into my lungs to breathe.  By the time we arrived at the hospital, I was too exhausted to care much.  I don’t remember much about Sunday once I was taken into the ER.  I vaguely remember a chest x-ray.  David said I was nauseous but I don’t remember throwing up.  He also mentioned that the resident doctor I had been assigned in my previous visit checked on me but I have no recollection of seeing her.  ...

I've enjoyed swimming since I was a child. I guess one reason is because it came so easy to me. For whatever reason, I am exceptionally bouyant. I can stretch out on my back atop of the water and take a nap. It is difficult for me to get below the water, and for me to dive down to the bottom of a 10' pool is almost impossible. A couple of years ago, I attempted to scuba dive. The instructor (who was very impatient to start with), gave me a couple of weight belts to strap on. I still was unable to get more than a foot below the water, and the guy gave up on me, ordering me back up to the boat. My husband was able to go on, and he really enjoyed the lovely views of the world beneath the waves. A day or so later, we went swimming. David was going to "help" me get below the water, and wrapped his arms and legs around me in an attempt to show me how "easy" it was to submerge. Instead -- we both bobbed like a cork, on top of the water. My bouyancy kept u...