Scleroderma News Columns

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

Acknowledging That This Time, I Need Help

Scleroderma News Columns

Sometimes life deals a hand that tests us. We then look for ways to overcome those challenges. But what do we do when the bad news keeps coming? How do ... Read more

December 16, 2020December 16, 2020

Self-love Is the Best Love

Scleroderma News Columns

Being a caregiver can be a huge balancing act. Some caregivers do this for a living, while others help family or friends who might need extra help each day. My ... Read more

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020

Standing By My Mother During Health Challenges

Scleroderma News Columns

As my mother’s caregiver, I had to learn how to be there for her without allowing my ego to take over. Sure, logically it seems easy enough to avoid being ... Read more

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020

Meds or No Meds?

Scleroderma News Columns

I used to save my empty pill bottles, thinking a Pinterest craft would catch my eye and I would have a good use for my vast collection of rusty-colored medicine ... Read more

November 18, 2020November 18, 2020

My Diagnosis Was Gut-wrenching, but Life Gets Better

Scleroderma News Columns

The phone rang on a Friday night. I answered it thinking the call probably was from another annoying solicitor. Instead, it was the voice of the person who would introduce ... Read more

November 11, 2020November 11, 2020

Can Someone Pass Me Life’s Handbook?

Scleroderma News Columns

In my mom’s life, I am more than a caregiver. I became one at a time when she needed me the most. It was a role I willingly stepped into ... Read more

November 11, 2020November 11, 2020

Learning How to Recharge After Trauma

Scleroderma News Columns

Coming home from the hospital should be a time of smiles and celebration — especially after surviving multiple strokes and spending nearly a week in the ICU, as I recently ... Read more

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020

I’m Stronger Than Scleroderma

Scleroderma News Columns

Who am I? On some days, I don’t know how to answer that question. But I can tell you with certainty that I am not defined by my autoimmune disease. ... Read more

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020

So You Wanna Talk About Mothers?

Scleroderma News Columns

It’s challenging to inherit the mother’s role. Some moms fade in involvement as parents while others see their children well into their adulthood and continue to act as mothers till ... Read more

October 8, 2019May 6, 2020

With Scleroderma, Exercise Comes at a Cost

Scleroderma News Columns

My cardiologist has given me the OK to go back to the gym. I’ve been waiting for his clearance for a long time. Working out at the gym was how ... Read more

October 1, 2019May 6, 2020

Finding the Glimmer of Gold Amid the Sludge of Scleroderma

Scleroderma News Columns

It has been a long few weeks of dealing with recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo while trying to maintain some sense of routine in between my need for sleep. While ... Read more

September 10, 2019May 6, 2020

Grappling with My Identity as a Scleroderma Patient

Scleroderma News Columns

It’s been an eventful couple of weeks.   I am currently dealing with several crises at the same time, all of which include seriously unwell significant others. My mother has been ... Read more

August 20, 2019May 6, 2020

When Choosing My Medical Team, It’s All About Attitude

Scleroderma News Columns

In my last column, I promised to share my experience with a new cardiologist, as well as his ideas about the likely cause of my heart issues. I had been ... Read more

August 6, 2019May 6, 2020

Finding Hope in the Hospital Despite Adversity

Scleroderma News Columns

Last week began like any other. I usually play catch-up on Monday, my favorite day of the week. It gives me a chance to recover from the weekend, which generally ... Read more

July 23, 2019May 6, 2020

Puzzles Enable Me to ‘Armchair Travel’ with Scleroderma

Scleroderma News Columns

I complete many jigsaw puzzles as I rest in my recliner. I find puzzles to be an excellent way to pass the time and keep my mind occupied. I do ... Read more