Peaceful Chaos – a Column by Allison Ross

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…

It’s an experience every pet owner fears: Our 8-month-old German shepherd needed to be rushed to the emergency vet. Luckily, four hours and several hundred dollars later, he was sent home with some meds and pronounced just fine. While my husband and I were overjoyed that our beloved pup was…

This summer was a lovely one. My days were filled with friendship, travel, gardening, and delicious cuisine. I had enough work to keep busy, but wasn’t overloaded. We even brought home a new puppy — a gorgeous, white German shepherd that is smart and loyal. I had so many good…

I’ve learned countless new words since my diagnosis — phlebotomy, stenosis, biomarker, etiology, hemoptysis, to name a few. There are long strings of syllables for medications and treatment options. And various types of doctors with “-ologist” at the end of their title. Even the name of my disease is a…

Today, I woke up hurting. While it wasn’t the pain that someone with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis might suffer, it caused enough discomfort that I couldn’t ignore it. A dull ache had settled in, from my neck to my knees, making it difficult to get out of bed. The previous…

I’m so tired. That thought threatens to dominate my mindset. It affects everything, including my outlook, motivation, and productivity. Later in the day, it might even tip my appetite levels out of balance. I just want to rest. I close my eyes again, but my brain is already scrolling through…

Humans are configured as social animals, regardless of personality type. We rely on each other, not only at a basic level for security, comfort, and good conversation, but also on a higher plane for things like artistic inspiration and love. The necessity of having “our people” around is never…