Columns

I can handle November all right. The air is chilly and the sky is gray, but I stay busy and content going through the motions at a manageable pace. December is different. It sweeps in right after Thanksgiving in a manic holiday frenzy, ready or not. Between busy schedules and…

The doctor-patient relationship is unique. A doctor sees you intimately and is privy to your vulnerabilities, both physical and psychological. I’m thankful to have had many vasculitis specialists in the past decade, some of whom have also evolved into trustworthy friends. For those with vasculitis, your doctor may become one…

Anxiety. Fear. Depression. Grief. Rage. Have you experienced any of these after receiving a diagnosis? Whether patient or caregiver, the emotions surrounding illness can take up an unexpectedly large chunk of one’s energy. Vasculitis primarily affects the physical body. Inflammation is a visceral symptom, causing pain and discomfort while threatening…

As the holiday season approaches, people will begin making travel plans, and their to-do lists can be extensive. Book a flight. Communicate with family. Check the weather forecast. Do laundry.  Being sick and having a weakened immune system, however, can add even more items…

When November comes, I start to think about hibernating. As soon as the temperature dips below a certain range, some kind of primitive signal goes off in my head. It’s a little voice that says, “Time to stay indoors and get comfortable.” After all, when it’s dreary…

It sometimes feels silly when I receive an invitation for an event happening more than a year in the future. This is because the details of my everyday life can be so overwhelming it’s all I can do to focus on the here and now. Maybe I’ll focus on next…

The topic of stress is much too familiar to autoimmune disease patients. Even in remission, I’m not immune to the overwhelming feeling that comes when my cortisol levels spike. I’m not a physician or a researcher, and plenty of studies about the science behind stress are available to…

I’ve been writing my column, “Peaceful Chaos,” about living with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) since June. I’ve written about my medications, doctor appointments, and the daily struggles of being chronically ill. I’ve discussed the psychological effect this disease has had on me and on others, and what…

People are social creatures who thrive when nurtured, and when our achievements — such as weddings, graduations, promotions, and new babies — are celebrated. But when challenges arise, a supportive foundation can prove even more valuable. After I was diagnosed with granulomatosis…

The year I turned 30, I experienced a vague sense of panic. It seemed like the age at which the fundamental aspects of life — career, family, hobbies — coalesce into permanence. I had recently moved across the country to resettle in a new city that I enjoyed. My work…