stress

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…

I’m not alone when illnesses lead me to my breaking point

Everyone has a breaking point. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by sadness, depression, or anxiety when life’s pressures become too heavy. Those of us who have chronic illnesses have our breaking points, too. As a lifelong patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I’d like to believe it…

How a Lack of Understanding About NMO Affects My Mental Health

Feeling misunderstood is one of the biggest challenges I face with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). This week, we took our daughter sledding with a couple of friends. Sledding is a Canadian rite of passage, though I’ll admit it feels dangerous most of the time. Our brave 9-year-old, prepared with a helmet,…