Over the course of my 37 years in clinical practice, I have had the privilege of caring for thousands of patients, both children and adults. Looking back, one of the most important lessons I have learned is not just about what I diagnosed, but what I may not have recognized early on.
During my first 12 years practicing in Cincinnati, I did not diagnose a single patient with primary immunodeficiency (PI). At the time, I had been taught, as many physicians were, that PI was extremely rare. Because of that, it was not something I actively considered in my daily practice.
In hindsight, I often reflect on this: I may have seen these patients, but I simply was not looking for them.
Everything changed when I moved to Omaha. [More]

I know most people look forward to the world waking up from its winter slumber. There’s something hopeful about spring, the blooming flowers, the warm breezes hinting at long summer days and the rain that promises everything will turn green again.
And then there’s me.
I hate spring.
Now, to be fair, I don’t hate the idea of spring. Who wouldn’t love the thought of fresh flowers, soft rain and longer days? It sounds wonderful. It sounds like a reset. It sounds like something out of a really good novel or movie.
It’s the reality of spring I struggle with. [More]

How many times have you heard, “But you don’t look sick?” Usually, it isn’t meant in a bad way. It’s said with a smile. Sometimes, it even feels like a compliment, like you’ve done a good job of looking OK. Other times, not so much. It’s said when you park in a handicapped spot or sit in a space reserved for people with disabilities. It’s the people who are trying to be nice that make your response complicated. On one hand, you know they mean well. On the other hand, there’s that quiet moment where you think: What does sick even look like to you? People living with invisible illness hear this all the time — from strangers, from people they know and even from people who genuinely care about them [More]

About six months ago, I moved to a new state. After the move, I even wrote a blog explaining what patients with a chronic illness should do before relocating. One of my top pieces of advice was simple: Make sure you already have a doctor lined up in your new location. Good advice, right? Well, let's just say I'm very good at giving advice that I don't always follow myself. [More]

I will never forget the day in 2019 when I was diagnosed with common variable immune deficiency (CVID). I was caught off guard! Even though I had lots of infections throughout my life, I had never been hospitalized. With my diagnosis, I felt like I was on an island, stranded alone with no clear understanding of what it meant for the future of my health. [More]

I am not a naturally bossy person. In fact, I dislike being in charge or telling people what to do and would much rather take orders than hand them out. Even when it comes to my health, I have a hard time steering the ship. I’ve repeatedly found myself accepting doctors’ assessments and heeding their orders rather than pushing for diagnostic tests or asking for a second opinion. Speaking up for myself doesn’t come naturally. [More]

Patient advocate Abbie Cornett shares practical ways to approach spring cleaning while living with a chronic illness, offering realistic strategies for creating a comfortable home without sacrificing health or energy. [More]

Unpopular opinion: I don’t like New Year’s.
I like the idea of a fresh start, but the truth is I feel a lot of pressure when New Year’s Eve rolls around. Picking a word for the year; making resolutions; setting goals — the emphasis on improving oneself sends me the message that I failed, again, and that last year wasn’t all that great. If I can just get my act together, this next year will be different. Better. [More]