As another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting not only on the milestones of the past 12 months, but also on the journey that’s brought me to this moment. When I look back at the years when I was so sick, growing up with unexplainable pain and…
One of the most horrendous aspects of living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is dealing with the additional diseases and chronic conditions that lupus causes. Lupus is insidious; it ushers in more symptoms and new diagnoses without warning and then releases a brutal, wolfish attack. It’s torturous being the…
It’s no secret that living with lupus or other chronic illnesses often feels like a constant game of tug-of-war. One part of us aches to chase after our dreams, tackle projects, and seize life, while the other part is continually reminded of the need to slow down, conserve energy,…
About 200 million people worldwide, including almost 68 million Americans, use Open AI’s ChatGPT weekly, according to Backlinko. In January 2024, the average ChatGPT session lasted 13 minutes, 35 seconds. There are many contrasting opinions about using artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT to understand critical issues like…
Having moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains not long ago, I’m finally experiencing that time of year when the leaves change and the air gets chilly. My time of year has arrived. You see, I learned many years ago, through journaling, that heat and sun are two of my biggest…
Living with lupus or another chronic illness means making decisions most people never have to consider. One of the hardest choices for me was to prioritize rest, even when it meant saying no to family, friends, or opportunities. For those of us with lupus or similar diseases, saying…
Every day, and every minute of every day, systemic lupus erythematosus makes you sick. I get it. It’s not the reality that anyone plans for. It’s not some punishment for a supposed sin. Nor does it happen because we’ve intentionally exposed ourselves to toxins or malnourishment. Lupus. Sjögren’s…
Hester Prynne is being condemned for a private act that became a public sin. After being freed from jail, she’s led to stand on a scaffold before a crowd of villagers. She’s holding her 3-month-old baby and wearing an embroidered letter “A” on her cloak, both attesting to what she…
More than 20 years ago, Christine Miserandino explained living with systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common form of lupus, as having only a metaphorical “12 spoons” of energy a day. Her spoon theory does a great job of representing the tightrope walk of survival that…
Dating can be both a thrilling and nerve-wracking experience. Having a chronic condition certainly adds extra layers of complexity to the mix. I met my husband over 20 years ago, shortly after I was diagnosed with lupus. My illness was out of control at the time, so I was…