The surprise revelation of how LEMS brings my daughter pride
Some memories are indelibly scored into the fabric of our being. For me, one such memory is the first time I pushed my daughter Grace in a wheelchair. She wasn’t yet diagnosed with…
Stretcher-Bearers — Lori Dunham
Lori Dunham and her family have lived all over the world thanks to the U.S. Navy. She has a degree in human resources but enjoys writing to encourage and inspire others. When her daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome at age 15, Lori sought community and encouragement from those walking a similar path. Lori’s mission in writing is to inspire and encourage those who find themselves in the role of caregiver. When she is not writing or homeschooling her two youngest, Lori enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with family. Currently they live in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Managing the medical anxiety triggered by a single phone call
It started with a phone call. Our daughter Grace, who was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) at age 15, was due for her annual neurology appointment. Things had been pretty quiet…
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The benefits of having a pet while raising a daughter with LEMS
We’re pet people in my family. Specifically, we love dogs. There’s nothing like coming home to a dog that is overcome with excitement at the sight of you. You can’t help but smile. Our…
If you’ve been recently diagnosed with LEMS, please read this
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), you’ve come to the right place. Finding the LEMS community was life-changing for me, and I hope it will be for…
A reminder that we need to stay vigilant to protect our health
Our daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in July 2019, when she was just 15 years old. To say this diagnosis changed our lives is an understatement. Grace’s…
By sharing our LEMS stories, we can help and encourage others
So many people in this world live isolated lives. Add in a rare disease and we can feel very alone. I’m grateful that we in the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) community have…
How we fight the fatigue that comes with LEMS
Life changed when our daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). As her health declined rapidly and drastically, it was hard to watch her lose mobility and control of her…
Can your eyes show health problems related to LEMS?
My daughter Grace was in fifth grade when I got a call from the school nurse. She asked me to come to the school to get Grace because she was complaining of a headache.
Catching up with a friend about LEMS and her concussion recovery
Before I started writing my column, “Stretcher-Bearers,” for this website, Dawn DeBois wrote the column “LEMme Tell Ya” about her journey with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). In September 2020, a…
Family caregivers and where they find their strength
As I grow older, I’ve come to love waking up before dawn. I often sit on my back porch sipping a steaming cup of tea while the world comes alive. Here in Florida, we’re…
Finding ways to beat the heat is crucial for those with LEMS
This time each year, our home in Florida is filled with a palpable excitement as summer quickly approaches. The school year is winding down, our days are growing long, and cool air wafts in…
Why we’ve decided to decrease my daughter’s Mestinon dosage
Note: This column describes the experiences of the author’s daughter with Mestinon (pyridostigmine). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. A…
Our family priorities changed when LEMS became a fixture
Our family has had the opportunity to live in some pretty incredible places, thanks to the U.S. Navy. One of our favorite places to live was La Maddalena, a town in the Sardinian…