Brock's Story

My name is Brock, and I am a 49-year-old man living in the GTA. I enjoy board games, reading, and swimming.

In the fall of 2022, I was doing some late-night drives to take my son back to university when I noticed that I had difficulty keeping one of my eyes open. After seeing the doctor to ensure I wasn’t having a stroke, I did a blood test and was informed that I had the acetylcholine antibodies, which meant I likely had myasthenia gravis. I had no idea what this meant.

My typical days now start with taking my medicine along with breakfast. After slowly getting dressed, I’ll shuffle around trying to do some housework or yard work and take care of tasks like sending emails. After making lunch, I’ll usually play videogames, watch movies, or read in the afternoon, sometimes napping if needed. In the evening, I watch TV or play games, though some days I go out to visit friends.

I’ve learned to recognize the difference between my good days and bad days. On a good day, I feel “normal”—my joints don’t ache, ocular issues are minimal or not happening, and I can engage in daily tasks and activities fully. On a bad day, it’s difficult to get out of bed. My joints ache, my limbs feel like “sandbags,” I have double vision and droopy eyelids, and I have difficulty focusing and engaging in activities.

For me, good support means patience and understanding, especially on days when my “batteries are drained” and I need to reschedule social events. People need to be patient and understand that I cannot always push as hard as I used to or do as much as I’m capable of.
My medical team in Oakville has been a great help during my journey. My wife, children, and employer have all been supportive, giving me the time I need to rest and recuperate.