This year, Christmas is going to look very different for me. It’s the first year that two of my three children won’t be home, and I’ll be honest, I’m fighting the urge to skip the tree, ignore the calendar and just pretend Christmas isn’t happening. Some of that feeling comes from the amount of work it takes to pull off the holidays, but the deeper reason is sadness because things are changing. I am having a hard time imagining quiet in a house once filled with noise and chaos.
But as tempting as it is to hide under a blanket until January, I know that isn’t fair to my husband or my youngest daughter. They deserve a good holiday. What I’m learning, though, is that a good holiday doesn’t have to look like every year before, nor does it have to be a giant production filled with late-night wrapping sessions, elaborate meals and days of preparation. It can be good without exhausting ourselves in the process. [More]

Does saying thank you come easily to you, or do you struggle to express your gratitude? Expressing thanks might seem like an insignificant, almost automatic reflex for those of us who were taught to mind our manners. How many times did your mother ask, “What do we say?” to train you to say thank you without thinking? [More]

If health matters to you, it probably matters deeply. But caring isn’t the same as creating change. Systems are complex, decisions are opaque and the people most affected often have the least say. Still, you don’t need credentials to lead. You just need clarity, connection and a reason to speak when others stay quiet. Turning your passion into advocacy starts where you are. [More]

Halloween can be a night of frivolous fun, but it can also feel dangerous and scary — and not just because ghosts and goblin costumes roam streets that night. Invisible threats such as germs and allergens lurk in the shadows, too. People with such conditions such as food allergies don't get a thrill from a close call with these serious threats. For some, Halloween is much more complicated than throwing on a costume, knocking on a neighbor's door and getting a free bar of chocolate. Carefree fun like that almost doesn't exist because there are additional risks to mitigate and plans to modify, all while preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. It's draining! [More]

October is my favorite month! The mornings are cooler, the light is golden and the air smells like fallen leaves. And, of course, there’s my favorite holiday, Halloween. When October rolls around, I finally feel like I can slow down after the chaos of summer. [More]

Sweater weather is almost here! It's officially fall, but warm summer weather hasn't quite faded into the cool, crisp air of autumn yet. The changing leaves signal colder weather is on its way, but every year, it takes me by surprise. By now, you would think I would be prepared! [More]

When you first hear that your pain may be with you for the long haul, it's a shock that can echo through every part of your life. There's the fear of change, the frustration of unpredictability and the nagging question of how to keep living on your terms. You're not alone in wondering if joy and purpose are still within reach. They are. What comes next isn't about surrendering, it's about learning a new rhythm. The following strategies aren't quick fixes; they're sustainable moves that help you manage symptoms while protecting the parts of life that matter most. [More]

After years of diagnostic gymnastics, sometimes it feels like I can’t remember who I was before my medical journey began. Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and wonder who I am at all. Do you ever feel that way? [More]