Years ago, I read a book titled Love in the Time of Cholera about two young lovers who communicated through letters during a pandemic. The story is about much more than writing love letters. It is about life, loss, maturity and second chances. With the third Valentine's Day during a pandemic approaching, the book made me think about how people communicated in the past and how fortunate we are today. [More]

My great-grandmother lived with me when I was growing up. She passed away my senior year of high school at the ripe old age of 104. Many of my friends thought it was a burden to have her at home. I never did! In fact, I learned a lot about life from her. Over the years, I have benefited a lot from what she taught me such as how to can fruit and vegetables, the importance of exercise and to have faith. But I never realized the most important thing she taught me was to be happy. [More]

Before I sit down to write a blog, I spend a few days thinking about the topic and how readers will relate to it. This month, I was going to write about how this Thanksgiving was different than last year's when we were facing a long winter of lockdown and how thankful I was the end of the pandemic was in sight. Then I read the news about the latest mutation of COVID-19: Omicron! [More]

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I love decorating the front yard, helping plan costumes for my kids, and getting ready for trick-or-treaters. Unfortunately, many people with chronic illnesses are too sick or simply don't have the energy to prepare for the holiday. Don't fear, there are many ways to enjoy the holiday and still take care of yourself. Check out some of the shortcuts I have learned to save up your spoons for the big day! [More]

As the patient advocate for IG Living, I am frequently asked for information about the Medicare IVIG Demonstration Project and its purpose. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conducts and sponsors demonstration projects to test and measure the effect of potential program changes on patients and their access to treatment. [More]

With everyone's attention focused on COVID -19 for almost two years, it's easy to forget it isn't the only virus out there. In fact, it's important to remember that the influenza (flu) virus is still out there, and it is still a serious threat to people's health, particularly those who suffer from an immune or autoimmune disease. Part of the reason concern over the flu has taken a back seat to COVID-19 is the remarkable lack of reported cases and deaths associated with it. [More]

For many years, I was involved in politics. I have run for office, have drafted legislation and have been a member of both parties, and I lean toward conservative. So, I am serious when I say I have no idea how wearing a mask became a political issue. [More]

Tonight is the night before the first day of school for my youngest child. While it is technically the beginning of her sophomore year, it is the first time she will have been to her high school as a student. In fact, it will be the first time she has been inside a school in a year and a half. [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]

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]