medications

No, it’s not OK to discuss the fluctuations in my weight

I’ve been thin. Very thin. And I’m currently overweight. Very overweight. It’s not lost on me that in this lifetime, I’ve experienced both ends of the weight spectrum. I can make excuses for that, but the bottom line is that my body has endured sharp weight fluctuations for many reasons…

Overcoming Addiction but Still Struggling With NMO Pain

On a recent overnight trip, my family used a couple of pieces of our luggage set. My husband, Mike, reached into one of the side pockets and retrieved something that shocked him. “What’s this?!” His bewildered look told me he already knew, but he wanted my acknowledgment. I immediately recognized…

Embracing Science for My Own Survival

We cannot separate science from life. Trust me, I’ve tried. Like most young people, I once thought of myself as invincible. So I was absolutely stunned when I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) at the age of 24. With the diagnosis, my world came crumbling down. Yet while…

How to Respond to the Dreaded Question, ‘How Are You?’

¿Cómo estás? 你好嗎 Ça va? How are you? With the holiday season upon us, people are getting together, hopefully safely, considering the persistent COVID-19 pandemic. While I always enjoy seeing friends and loved ones, I find it uncomfortable when I’m asked difficult questions like, “How are you?” While the phrase…