Posts by: Lisa Weber

Back in the late 1980s, I was listening to the iconic female hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa as I entered my teenage years. Today, their words would be considered mild, but back ... Read more

October 15, 2021October 15, 2021

Scleroderma Can Be Overwhelming, but It Doesn’t Define Me

Scleroderma News Columns

It was a particularly beautiful morning. The hot Florida sun was still low in the sky, and a light breeze kept us comfortable while we watched our youngest daughter play ... Read more

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021

Am I Jealous of Someone Else’s Diagnosis or Angry With Scleroderma?

Scleroderma News Columns

I hate admitting that I often find myself trapped by jealousy. It makes me feel like I have a rotten core. Do all good people have these thoughts? Or am ... Read more

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021

Fighting Chronic Illness With a Positive Mindset

Scleroderma News Columns

The machine monitoring my vitals beeps annoyingly to alert the nurses that my blood pressure has dropped again. My limbs ache from the frigid air conditioning, and my body is ... Read more

August 27, 2021August 27, 2021

Living With Scleroderma Means Living With Grief, Too

Scleroderma News Columns

My little girls sway back and forth in their ruffled dresses. My face is fixed with a glowing smile as I watch the home video of these sweet babies. They ... Read more

August 20, 2021August 20, 2021

An Open Letter to My Late Friend With an Invisible Illness

Scleroderma News Columns

Decades ago, you passed quietly through the background of everyone’s busy lives. My heart still aches for you, even more now. You see, I didn’t know what you were going ... Read more

August 6, 2021August 6, 2021

Pandemic Panic Is Real for the Immunocompromised

COVID-19 Columns, Scleroderma News Columns

As the meeting doors open, I’m met with the coolness of a windowless, air-conditioned room. Normally, I would welcome this gift on a sweltering summer day, but today is different. ... Read more

July 30, 2021July 30, 2021

Don’t Settle When Choosing Your Team of Doctors

Scleroderma News Columns

Many books have been written about finding your true love. Yet, there’s not much guidance about finding the right doctors. I suppose this didn’t matter when I was healthy. Now ... Read more

July 23, 2021July 23, 2021

4 Strategies That Ease My Gastroparesis Symptoms

Scleroderma News Columns

Date night with my husband resulted in mounds of clothing piling up on the bench in my closet. I was having a meltdown similar to that of a teenage girl ... Read more

July 16, 2021July 16, 2021

Managing Medications With the Perfect Pill Organizer

Scleroderma News Columns

“Did I take my pills?” I wonder as I hold three giant capsules. I stare at them and try to backtrack through my day, but I have no idea. All ... Read more

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021

Wearing a Fake Smile to Get Through the Day

Scleroderma News Columns

Can you recall a time when you smiled so much that your cheeks became sore? Perhaps it was a day of joy and celebration — one you’ll happily remember forever. ... Read more

July 2, 2021July 2, 2021

Should I Go to the Emergency Room or Wait It Out?

Scleroderma News Columns

The pounding of my heart echoes clearly in my ears. I can see the thumps through the skin on my chest. It’s erratic, beating slowly and calmly one minute, and ... Read more

June 25, 2021June 25, 2021

My Husband Lives With Scleroderma, Too

Scleroderma News Columns

People often ask me how I continue to battle scleroderma. My answer mirrors that of many others fighting awful diseases: I have no other choice. I may not have chosen ... Read more

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021

Let’s Get Ready to Rumble in the Fight Against Scleroderma

Scleroderma News Columns

The bell echoes loudly, signaling the fight’s start. The energy and stakes are high. Gloves on, two boxers face off with intense determination. Only one will be crowned champion. Living ... Read more

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021

Scleroderma Is Complicated to Explain and Challenging to Live With

Scleroderma News Columns

“Look, Mom!” My teenage daughter bounds excitedly into the room to show me her phone. The screen displays a message adorned with fancy scrollwork designs. She reads the words “June ... Read more