Precious, Not Fragile
— Heather Novak

I recently shared that I wrote a book for my late grandma while she was in hospice. She was able to read it before she passed, and she cheered me on when I took…

There’s a quote by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich that was later popularized by one of my favorite film directors, Baz Luhrmann, and that repeats in my head during shocking moments:…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with calcium supplements as well as general supplement brands. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a…

On July 2, my surgical hypoparathyroidism turned 22 years old. It’s wild to think that I’ve had this disease for over half of my life, and that I’ve been sick longer than I’ve…

As the summer solstice passes by and blazing temperatures roll in, the image of lounging by a pool or lake with a cold alcoholic beverage in hand crosses my mind frequently. In a life…

Having a chronic illness feels a little like being a hostage negotiator. It’s my functionality and I trapped behind an unpredictable chronic illness that’s got a chip on its shoulder and is out for…

When I was a teenager, adults used to tell me time sped up every year. I scoffed in that way kids do when they don’t believe an adult, but I swear these days that…

I was having an incredible week! I’d pushed my body to the limit to meet my book deadline and had finished on time. I took part in a rare career opportunity and went…

When I walk into the small, LGBTQ-owned salon that has seen my best and worst hypoparathyroidism days, I’m always relieved that I can just be me. Not only is it a place of…

I have a mortal enemy. We circle each other often. I’m consistently trying to de-escalate and avoid, while they’re popping up at the most surprising moments, rendering me incapacitated. I spend hundreds of dollars…

Books have always been a constant in my life. I remember collecting “Goosebumps” by R.L. Stine and “The Vampire Diaries” by L.J. Smith, and I still have a few first editions on my bookshelf.