I asked Dr. Kerry Bunn, Sr. if he would be able to contribute a post for my series on MG Awareness Month. I am honored that he said yes. Dr. Bunn blogs about his personal journey with MG at http://krbunn.blogspot.com/ and he is the author of a book about Myasthenia Gravis. The book is called Body Betrayed: My Journey through Sickness and Faith.
The title really spoke to me, because what I’d been asking myself over and over again (even before I received my diagnosis) was, “Why is my body betraying me?”
Here is a short video where Dr. Bunn explains his book:
I would encourage anyone dealing with MG, and their family members, to read his book. It is an honest account of one man’s ongoing journey. He offers the book in a paperback version and several e-book formats, all of which can be purchased by clicking here.
After reading his book, you can keep up with his current condition on his blog, where he posts updates and videos that are very helpful to someone trying to understand what MG does to a person. I remember the first time I watched one of his videos chronicling his symptoms. I turned to my husband and said, “Wow, his voice just failed exactly like mine.” It was the first time I’d ever heard anyone else’s voice give out precisely the same way mine does.
I am further along in my own journey now and I’ve had the benefit of getting to know even more individuals with MG. But reading Dr. Bunn’s book, blog, and viewing his videos went a long way towards helping me not feel so alone when I was first diagnosed and I knew no one with this rare disorder.
I wish Dr. Bunn all the best in his battle. I thank him for his personal efforts that have helped raise awareness about MG and I deeply appreciate his contribution of today’s post for my blog.
The following post was written by Dr. Kerry R. Bunn, Sr.
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Myasthenia Gravis is often called the “snowflake” disease because it effects everyone differently. Some have only mild, occasional symptoms which are easily controlled by medications. Others have a wide variety of symptoms that fluctuate daily in duration and severity. An unfortunate few with severe MG find little relief from this horrible disease even with all the modern medical treatments. Like a snowflake, no two individuals with MG are exactly alike. Yet, there is one item all who live with MG have in common–CHANGE!
I acquired MG along with other autoimmune issues in 2009, probably from a Tetanus vaccine. Since then, my life has been full of change. I changed from being a relatively healthy person to spending more time in hospitals, doctor’s offices, treatment units, and taking more medication than I ever imagined. I changed from working hard all day long to being disabled with the need for sleep twice-a-day with the aid of my Bi-Pap machine to breathe. I changed from being at the height of my career to possessing no ability to perform as I once had. I changed from being a Senior Pastor who ministered to others to being one who now receives ministry.
Not only did I change, my family changed. In addition to everything else, my wife is now the grass cutter, fix-it-man, pill reminder, plumber, electrician, chauffeur, and my main-care giver. My inability to go and do has inherently limited her going and doing also. Since I no longer work, our income is limited and we have suffered some financial loss. Combine a disability income with the huge medical costs of MG and it becomes difficult to manage financially, but we have adapted and are surviving. She never bargained for all of this, but has graciously given of herself on my behalf. MG has dramatically effected both of our lives.
My journey through MG led me through some faith questioning. If we are honest with ourselves, God already knows our heart and our questions. So, why not be open with ourselves and Him about our questioning. After all, God is big enough to handle whatever we may ask. Why did this happen to me? When will things get better? How am I going to survive all this stress? Will I be healed?
As a theologian, I can give all the proper answers about the “whys.” The answers deal with God’s grace and goodness, original sin and wrath, wealth and prosperity verses the problem of suffering. But, sometimes the “proper answers” still leave me wanting. I don’t live in the world of academic theology, I live in the very real world of just trying to survive from day to day–and so do you.
In this day-to-day real world, I often just don’t know the “why.” But I do know the Lord has been with me daily and continually provides for my needs. Instead of asking why, how can I live day by day, regardless of my circumstance, in a manner that pleases Him. That may result in the best change of all–how I live.
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Thank you Kerry for your post!
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To purchase Kerry’s book,
or read a sample of his book,
please visit:
Thank you! Just ordered the book! <3