It’s not you; it’s me. That’s a way to explain the inevitable mood swings that come with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), but it’s not the whole story. There’s a lot to unpack with an invisible disability. We who have a rare disorder may have trouble articulating how it’s…
stress
I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason, but for me, it’s rarely convenient when it does. Is there ever a good time to have a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) attack? Even if I could schedule when my body decides to have a meltdown, my life wouldn’t…
I’m a prolific list-builder, and there should be a support group for people like me. From grocery lists to bucket lists, from daily to-dos to long-term goals, I have a list for nearly everything. Some might see my habit as overkill, but it’s a way of life for me. If…
It’s been over two weeks since we were required to “spring forward” for the arrival of daylight saving time (DST). As a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patient, I’m not a fan. While the concept was introduced as a way to maximize daylight hours during the warmer months,…
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…
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…
Even though summer isn’t officially over yet, it already feels like the end. This year, I’m feeling a bit emotional about it, and I’m sure my neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has something to do with that. Living with NMOSD has made me hyperaware of the effects of…
Dear Reader, It’s me, Jennifer, hoping you don’t mind if I occupy the tiniest space in your mind for the shortest amount of your time. This request is because I feel insignificant right now. When people point out that I’m sick, when they comment on visible symptoms of my…
There’s nothing more frustrating than working hard to reach a milestone, only to be knocked down and have to start all over again. That’s what it’s like having neuromyelitis optica (NMO). My toughest days happen when I’m frustrated with my body. What worked yesterday suddenly might not work today.
The new year can represent a new start, except it isn’t, really. I still have neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and the challenges that existed in our lives last year are still here. But what a new year can become is a moment to pause, reflect, and commit to new habits…