Lessons From A Chronic Life - a Column by Leslie Rott

I have been lucky that my diseases have been relatively stable over the past few years. Most of the flares I have had were situational, typically when I put myself in strenuous situations. For example, I traveled from Michigan to the East Coast and back again in 36 hours. However,…

Over the past two years, my diseases have been relatively stable, which is great. I am grateful to be on a medication regimen that keeps my diseases in check. However, what’s scary is that as a result of this longed-for stability, my fiancé has never seen me have…

I’m getting married! I’d like to say that’s the reason for my column’s absence, but the reality is that the last several months have been crazy. In December, I closed on a house. In January, I moved. In February, I got engaged. Then, from March through May, I…

Rarely do I try supplements or alternative therapies. But I was approached to try a supplement geared toward patients with lupus. At the time,…

One thing that affects my illnesses profoundly is the weather. As temperatures have started to drop, my body already is feeling it. So, I only can imagine what anyone feels like who has survived the recent onslaught of severe weather that has impacted our country — especially those with chronic…

This past weekend, I went on vacation for the first time since I started working full time a year-and-a-half ago. I have used all of my paid time off for doctors’ appointments, which has been very frustrating, especially when I hear about all of the wonderful things that my similarly…

After getting two masters degrees and a PhD while dealing with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, the reality of what it means to be a chronically ill student was transformed into the reality of what it means to be a chronically ill worker. I have been in my current job since February…