Columns

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 advantage of a publishing opportunity. I’m thrilled to announce that the opportunity worked out, and I…

“Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.” — From the film “Van Wilder” I’ve been sitting a lot lately. I’ve watched every new show and movie released in the last six weeks. Ever since my sweet dog Princess Leia passed…

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: “The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried…

“There is no table of contents in the Book of Life. We don’t know if we’re at the beginning of a new chapter, or the end of a story. Which is why we must be grateful every time the page turns.” — From the 2016 movie “War Dogs” Life is…

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 therapy. When I was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism and told to take calcium supplements, it was…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with acupuncture. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. “Isn’t it funny? The truth just sounds different.” — Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) from the 2000 movie “Almost Famous” Monday morning…

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,…

“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…

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…

“Every silver lining’s got a touch of grey/ I will get by/ … I will survive.” — “Touch of Grey,” the Grateful Dead Some songs resonate with me, regardless of the genre. I enjoy all music, from Top 40 to classic rock, rap, and the Grateful Dead. The lyrics are…