Brave Butterfly: A Hypoparathyroidism Journey - a Column by Bari Vapnek

Having hypoparathyroidism means dealing with more than just low parathyroid hormone and calcium levels. Many patients have muscle cramps, tingling in their extremities, fatigue, muscle weakness, anxiety, and depression. These extra challenges make life difficult. After nearly 30 years of living with hypoparathyroidism, I developed stage 3 chronic…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Natpara (recombinant parathyroid hormone) and Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. “Red and white, blue suede shoes/ I’m Uncle Sam, how do you do?/ Give me five,…

 “What you have caught on film is captured forever. … It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind While standing outdoors surrounded by nature, I watched the leaves move in the breeze and felt drawn to photograph golden petals in the sunlight. In that moment,…

“It’s like déjà vu all over again.” — Yogi Berra Getting on a plane recently brought back a rush of familiar feelings. I remembered 2019, when I took this same flight from Florida to New York City for my first clinical trial appointment. I felt like I was reliving the…

“Don’t let your circumstances define your future.” — Popular saying If I had one wish, it would be a world without hypoparathyroidism. Realistically, that is as unlikely as winning the lottery, but as the Grateful Dead said, “Without love in the dream, it will never come true.” On June…

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” — Popular proverb often attributed to Aristotle Because of hypoparathyroidism, my body struggles to keep my calcium levels stable, which can lead to a lot of anxiety. Waiting for test results fills me with dread. It’s like standing near…

Soft morning light spills through my windows as I power on my laptop. A gentle glow envelops the quiet room. I think about where I was a year ago, when hope felt uncertain and struggle was heavy. April marks the first anniversary of my column, “Brave Butterfly,” so I…

Editor’s note: This story includes a mention of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Internationally, find a suicide…

My world teetered as a calcium crash struck in 2016, leaving me breathless and confused. It was a scary time for my family, especially for my son Harrison, who was starting high school. It was also a pivotal moment for me, altering my path and propelling me into a desperate…

“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” — a popular saying often attributed to John Wayne Red lanterns shimmer above bustling Chinatown streets, their light flickering against a sea of red envelopes and golden paper dragons. The Chinese Lunar New Year began Feb. 17, symbolizing the…