The View From Here
— Lelainia Lloyd

When we are diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), it can feel like we’re being pushed into the deep end of the pool and left to sink or swim on our own. Navigating a whole new life with a…

In the first five years after my neuromyelitis optica (NMO) diagnosis, my health took a sharp nosedive, which shook up everything I thought I knew about my future. Suddenly, my body was betraying me in a major way.

Like many Canadians, I grew up watching curling, a beloved national sport that helped make the long prairie winters more tolerable. I’d watch with my grandparents and cheer for the teams that made it to the Olympics. Curling…

As someone with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), I am no stranger to steroids. Like most NMO patients, I have a love-hate relationship with them. I jokingly refer to them as “the devil’s Tic Tacs” because of the potential side effects,…

When I was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and five years later, properly diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), I was told that a hallmark symptom of each disease was optic neuritis. This occurs when the immune system…

As a rare disease patient with neuromyelitis optica and comorbidities, my medical care is complicated. I have an extensive healthcare team that includes: a family doctor a neurologist and neuro nurses a rheumatologist three pharmacists a home infusion nurse…

Six months ago, a blood test revealed that I had developed a rare side effect — a condition called hypogammaglobulinemia — from a biologic I’ve been on for five years for…

Fourteen years ago, when I was in the process of being diagnosed, I suffered a major neuromyelitis optica (NMO) attack on my spinal cord. The resulting transverse myelitis robbed me of the feeling in my arms and…

Summer has always been a struggle for me. While most people celebrate the warmer months and are off enjoying the great outdoors, I dread this time of year because I am very heat-sensitive. As soon as the temperature…

In early April, I became a grandmother (Gigi) for the first time. Reaching this important milestone gave me pause. In the months leading up to the baby’s birth, I thought a lot about what kind of grandmother I would…

My quest to become a wheelchair owner and user began with pitching the idea to members of my care team. As I shared in my last column, that didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped. But being…