Hello! I'm Bette from Texas and this is my personal website. It's like a bookcase - filled with a variety of things about me, my life, and family. I hope you find it informational. Check out the Links at the bottom of this page.

In 1994, I was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease. I have the milder form which only affects my skin and causes some mild joint pain. In 1995, I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis which is a rare neuro-muscular disease which affects the voluntary muscles causing weakness. Overuse of the muscles or repetitive movements cause them to weaken. Rest help relieve the weakness temporarily. I am presently taking only Mestinon for the MG symptoms but past treatment include prednisone, Imuran, Cellcept, and IVIg treatments.

When I was told I had MG, I didn't understand the disease or how it affected my muscles and even my breathing. MG can affect not only our swallowing and chewing muscles but also the diaphragm causing difficulty breathing. It wasn't until June of 1999, when I was hospitalized in ICU with a MG flareup, that I began to search for information about Myasthenia Gravis, it's treatment, and what the future holds for me.

In February 2009, I closed my MG support group in Yahoo, Bette's Myasthenia Gravis Support, to devote more time to my health and family. The group was formed in April 2000 and it was a bittersweet moment to let it go. I made numerous online friends through the group, lifetime friends, and we are still united as the 'MG Chat Gang'.

Below are poems written by myasthenics. They are beautiful and worth reading.

If you or someone you know has MG, just remember you are not alone and there is much support in the world for those affected by this disease. Contact the MGFA for more information at:1-800-541-5454.

In April of 2006, a routine chest xray by my neurologist who treated me for MG revealed a spot on my left lung. Further testing showed it to be highly suspicious of cancer. In May of 2006, surgery was done to remove the lower left lobe. I was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage 1B, adenocarcinoma. What a shock this was as I had never smoked. I received four chemotherapy treatments (taxotere and carboplatin) over a period of 12 weeks.

Today I am in cancer remission. I also am a advocate for more fung cancer awareness as it is the least funded cancer of all yet it is the No. 1 cancer killer. I am a member of the Lung Cancer Alliance as well as LUNGevity. While research does indicate smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer about 18% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked. Please read my page about lung cancer.

My favorite past-times and hobbies include gardening, artwork, reading, photography, and I love to read great mystery books. My pride and joy are my pets - Pepper, our calico cat, and Snoopy, our Beagle dog. My daughter has a cat named Lucy so you can see we have adopted the Charlie Brown gang.