In January 2025, my life changed in a way I never could have imagined.
It began with what seemed like a common illness. I developed symptoms that felt very similar to COVID-19 or the flu. Although I was never completely sure which virus I had, I experienced many of the classic symptoms and spent days feeling extremely sick. Eventually, I thought I was recovering and prepared to return to my normal life.
However, something wasn’t right.
Shortly after returning to work, I began experiencing severe pain throughout my body, especially in my legs. At first, I thought it was part of the recovery process, but the pain quickly became worse. My legs felt weak, heavy, and difficult to move. Walking became challenging, and I noticed that my body was not responding normally.
Concerned, I went to the hospital seeking answers. Unfortunately, I was initially misdiagnosed. The medical team believed my symptoms were simply lingering effects from COVID-19 or the flu and sent me home with pain medication.
That night, everything changed.
I attempted to get out of bed to use the bathroom but realized I could not urinate. When I tried to stand, my legs gave out beneath me. I fell multiple times. The weakness became so severe that I could no longer walk or support my own weight. Within hours, I lost the ability to use my legs completely.
My husband rushed me back to the hospital.
The doctors immediately recognized that something much more serious was happening. I was admitted to the hospital, where I spent approximately a week undergoing countless tests, scans, blood work, and neurological evaluations. During that time, my condition continued to deteriorate. I experienced paralysis and numbness from the waist down, loss of bladder control, and overwhelming fear as no one could initially explain what was happening to my body.
Eventually, the medical team began to suspect Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease (MOGAD), a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes the immune system to attack the protective covering of the nervous system.
Because MOGAD can progress rapidly and cause permanent neurological damage, the doctors immediately started treatment with high-dose intravenous steroids. The working diagnosis was that my MOGAD had likely been triggered by the viral illness I had recently recovered from, whether it was COVID-19, the flu, or another infection.
Receiving the diagnosis was both terrifying and relieving.
For days, I had watched my body stop functioning normally without knowing why. Finally, there was an explanation, but it came with the reality that I would be facing a lifelong autoimmune disease. The weeks and months that followed were some of the most difficult of my life.
Although the steroids helped reduce inflammation and stabilize my condition, they came with significant side effects. I experienced weight gain, intense hunger, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and emotional exhaustion. Recovery was not immediate, and I had to learn how to navigate life with a disease that could relapse at any time.
As time passed, my battle with MOGAD continued. I developed episodes of optic neuritis, causing inflammation in my optic nerves and affecting my vision. There were times when both eyes were involved, bringing pain, fear, and uncertainty. The possibility of permanent vision loss became a reality I had to face.
To prevent further attacks, my doctors placed me on long-term treatment, including Rituxan (rituximab) infusions and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. These treatments became essential in managing my disease, but they also weakened my immune system significantly.
Living with MOGAD has affected every area of my life. As a mother, I have had to balance medical treatments, hospital visits, infusions, and recovery while continuing to care for my daughters. There have been days when fatigue, pain, and fear felt overwhelming, but my girls have always given me the strength to keep moving forward.
My diagnosis also impacted my educational and career goals. While pursuing my Medical Assistant training, I faced difficult decisions regarding clinical externships and healthcare settings because my compromised immune system placed me at increased risk of infection.
There have been moments of grief, anger, fear, and uncertainty throughout this journey. Yet despite everything, MOGAD has taught me resilience, perseverance, and gratitude.
Today, my journey with MOGAD continues. I continue receiving treatment, attending appointments, advocating for my health, and adapting to the challenges of chronic illness. While MOGAD has changed my life forever, it has not defined who I am.
I am Gabby. I am a wife. I am a mother to three incredible girls. I am a fighter. I am a survivor.
And every day, despite the obstacles placed before me, I choose to keep moving forward with faith, courage, and hope. My story is not just about illness—it is about perseverance, love, and the unwavering determination to live life to the fullest, no matter what challenges come my way.
