Columns

Reframing my hypoparathyroidism diagnosis anniversary

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 been healthy. That one day in 2003 changed everything. As I prepared to write this column,…

A supportive family helps me navigate life’s twists and turns

“Bumpy roads often lead to beautiful places.” — MLB coach Dave Martinez Living with hypoparathyroidism has been quite the adventure. It’s shown me that life is full of twists and turns that don’t come with a road map. Symptoms can emerge without warning, leading to unexpected health…

How to deal with heat when living with hypoparathyroidism

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 without hypoparathyroidism, I suspect that’s exactly what I’d be doing today, as we reach 90…

The vicious cycle of hypoparathyroidism and grief

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 blood. The alarm has been tripped and the medics are outside, but it doesn’t change the…

Surviving the storm, be it a hurricane or my hypopara

“We can’t control the storms that come our way, but we can control how we navigate through them.” — Fernanda Melchor’s novel “Hurricane Season” It’s almost summer here in the Sunshine State of Florida! It’s hot, humid, and rains daily. Floridians know to bring an umbrella, SPF, and a water…

The importance of trust in life with hypoparathyroidism

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.” — George MacDonald Building trust takes years, yet it can shatter in moments. This fragility can be a heavy burden. As Brian Keigley, president of Bionews (the publisher of this site), recently wrote on LinkedIn, “Trust isn’t a…

Feeling hopeful about the future of hypoparathyroidism treatment

“Knowledge is the light of the mind.” — University of Delaware’s motto May 27, 1995, was a significant day in my life. It was the day I graduated from the University of Delaware, a momentous occasion held at the school’s football stadium in Newark. The hot and sunny Memorial Day…

What I learned from a medication injection mistake

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 to sleep on Tuesday night celebrating. Wednesday morning, I had to make a call about the…