My Life with Polymyositis – Sandra
LaRosa
Written by: Sandra LaRosa
After a martial arts session in
August 2013, one of my students, Michelle came to me and told me, “Sandra, you
are so strong!” Now when I think, her words make me wonder what everyone will
say if they knew what really happened… Thank You Michelle, for making me tell
this story.
April
2008: How it All Started…
From my teenage, I was attracted
to martial arts. In my 20s, I started learning it, and by the age of 30, I had
become a martial art practitioner and a bodybuilder. I gave up my career in
restaurant management to become the director and teacher at a martial arts
academy.
When it all started, I was 42,
quite healthy for a woman of my age. Suddenly, I started feeling something
wrong with my health. I was feeling more tired than usual, and my muscles were
becoming stiff. I associated it with normal ageing problems that most
post-forty year old women face. Even when the tiredness started hampering my
classes, I said to myself again and again that it’s because of my overwork.
Finally, I decided to seek
medical help. My doctor tested my blood, and ruled out the possibility of any
serious disease. However, my thyroid level showed some difference, and this was
pointed out as the possible reason for tiredness. I was given some medicines.
After a few sittings, I made an
appointment with an orthopedic who insisted that I should consult a neurologist
for an expert opinion. Exhausting blood tests and muscle tests showed that my
CPK count was above 8000 (the normal is below 200). A biopsy finally revealed
the truth: I had a serious muscle disease, Polymyositis.
The
Beginning of a New Journey…
The news destroyed me. All the
scans, bone tests, blood tests and constant visits to the doctor made it one of
the most difficult times of my life. My greatest support during these tiring
times was my best friend and partner, Bruce. Though the journey was tough, he
had a great role in making it a success. In the beginning, I was constantly
seeking and searching for answers, always frustrated – but finally, I took a
decision: to switch off my computer and move on.
It was already December 2008,
and things had changed. I found it difficult to walk long distances; I needed
the support of the railing while climbing stairs. I couldn't raise my arms
above my head and had difficulties in digestion. My CPK count remained above
8500. I was confused and at times, sorry for myself. I was not always positive,
though I tried to be. There were some who even wished that I wouldn't recover,
but the positive presence of my supportive friends always guided me through.
Getting
to Know My Disease…
What exactly causes Polymyositis
is still a mystery to doctors. It attacks the immune system by destroying body
tissues. It is supposed to cause pain and tiredness. From what I have known,
the severity of symptoms differ for different persons.
Striding
Through the Tough Times: Medicines and Support…
I had taken a decision: I will
not give up anything. I embraced life, both work and play alike, and my
stubbornness led my way. My life became a lot like a Rubik’s Cube, trying to
juggle the pieces – work, martial art classes, doctor’s appointments, blood
test, infusions – into their slots.
Though the side effects of the
medicines tried to scare me, in the end, it was not as bad as I expected. My
lifestyle choice rested on a trio - diet, workout and medicines. Prednisone, a
drug used to treat body inflammation, is what I would call the Miracle Drug.
Though the 60mg dose made me look puffy, I didn't really gain weight. My
stomach got upset on another drug named Methotrexate, an anti-rheumatic
medicine. What really handed me my life back was a drug called Rituxan, though
I was allergic to it initially. Also known as Rituximab, it is an immuno-suppressant,
used to cure b-cell leukemia and b-cell non-hodgkin lymphona.
I should thank my support
team. The MDA (Muscular Dystrophy
Association) who helped me back to life. The staff gave me their full support,
and was there for me whenever I needed anything. Though I was initially treated
by a single doctor, I soon had an entire team looking after my health. Dr.
Amato, an experienced neurologist from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston took
the helm of my treatment. His knowledge and treatment methods assured me that I
was in safe hands. Another great doctor was Dr. Beauprea, the rheumatologist from Harvard Vanquard in Peabody MA.
Frequent visits to Dr. Beauprea
kept me up to date on tests in-between my trips to Boston MA with Dr Amato. Whenever I was
sad and confused, Dr. Haley and her nurse Joanne from Harvard Vanquard were
there for me as great pillars of support.
Winning
the Battle through Martial Arts…
My disease required
physiotherapy. However, my doctors opined that my martial arts practice would
be a great alternative. In fact, it was martial arts that kept my muscles from
getting weakened further. Practicing Kickboxing helped me to remain strong. My
balance, speed and coordination improved as a result of Taekwondo sessions. The
stretching moves helped me to get rid of stiffness and made by body flexible.
The breathing exercises that I practiced as a part of Tai Chi and Qui Gong did
the benefit of a meditation. In short, martial arts were what kept me
stress-free even during the hours of difficulty.
Back
to Present…
My life goes on as if nothing
has happened. I teach martial arts and concentrate on the positive things in
life. At times, I hear an inner voice speaking: “the disease can be treated,
but not cured”. However, I am resolved to fight. The days when I feel unwell
are getting fewer and fewer nowadays, and I’m sure there will be even fewer of
them in future.
Sandra can be contacted at info@brucemccorrys.com
Adults think of childhood as a happy phase with no worries and all joy. In fact, studies show that today's’ kids experience much more stress, anxiety and fear than the earlier generation kids used to experience. Anxiety and fear in kids has become a common problem, mainly due to the burdening lifestyle and dangerous society. How can we cope with this problem? Is there a permanent solution to fear and anxiety in kids?
Why are the Kids Worried – The Causes of Anxiety and Fear in Kids Ask your kid what causes fear and anxiety in his/her life – you are sure to get a long list. Kids today have more than enough reasons to be worried. Here are some of them: · Criticism from the society: This counts among the foremost reasons. Criticism includes the fear of getting reprimanded by parents, the fear of being criticized by teachers and so on. It makes kids undervalue themselves and worry about possible criticism in the future. · Dangers: Kids nowadays face many more dangers than what parents notice. Bullying from classmates, hazing from seniors, attempts at physical and sexual assault – many kids worry about these dangers.
· Work stress: Today’s kids have an overload of syllabus and less time to cover it. Examinations, assignments, presentations and projects – all cause much anxiety. On one hand is the anxiety of completing the work before the deadlines, on the other hand, there is the worry about whether the work will be appreciated or not.
· Peer pressure: It is natural that kids may be forced by their friends to indulge in unwilling activities. This too causes kids to be nervous and worried.
Karate: The Panacea for Fear and Anxiety The role of martial arts in keeping its learners stress-free is getting recognized all over the world. Among the martial arts, karate is believed to possess the ability to reduce the stress-level and anxiety in kids. Karate works wonders in many ways:· Karate boosts the self-confidence of the kids. They start feeling confident that they can defend themselves from physical dangers such as bullying and assault. Students who practice Karate face life with calmness. They start believing in themselves.
· Karate is a good stress-buster. Often, it does the job of a meditation. Children stop worrying about trivial things in life, and start facing life practically. · Karate fosters values like mutual respect and tolerance in kids. They realize that criticism is a part of life, and being criticized does not always mean that whatever they did was worthless. · The physical movements practiced as a part of Karate help kids to keep their mind occupied.
· Karate strengthens one’s personality. Kids who learn karate remain sure of their own opinions. They do not find it difficult to say no if they are not willing to do something. This helps them to counter peer-pressure and classroom stress.
Effective Karate Classes at Bruce McCorry’s Academy If you are searching for Karate classes in MA, Bruce McCorry’s Martial Arts academy (Peabody, Massachusetts) is one of the best choices you can make. Karate at Bruce McCorry’s is an unforgettable experience. A well-structured curriculum and experienced training make Bruce McCorry’s Karate classes stand apart. Karate classes at Bruce McCorry’s are children-oriented, with importance given to the safety and comfort of the kids. Within a few sessions of Karate training at Bruce McCorry’s, you can experience a transformation in your child. Make the choice today, and choose the best for your kid.
