Precious, Not Fragile - a Column by Heather Novak

Heather Novak is an award-winning author. She was diagnosed with surgical hypoparathyroidism in 2003, followed by a pile of comorbidities. She hopes her column will provide hope and a better understanding of living with chronic conditions. Heather writes LGBTQ+ romance with disability representation and earned a spot on BEQ Magazine's 40 LGBTQ+ Leaders Under 40 in 2021. She's full of bisexual glitter and is pretty sure her left arm is haunted. She lives in southeast Michigan with a collection of mobility aids. You can learn more at HeatherNovak.net.

Learning not to blame all my symptoms on hypoparathyroidism

Since my diagnosis with hypoparathyroidism, also known as hypopara, it’s been easy to blame a lot of things on my disease. That pain in my arm? Probably a muscle spasm. That headache? Might have something to do with my calcium level. Fatigue? Well, that’s just something I fight every…

Sometimes hypopara wins, and that’s OK

Recently, I was asked how I maintain a writing career with a chronic illness. My answer was that I ignore a lot of writing advice. Writing every day, maintaining a strict routine, and putting writing first are the most common tips thrown around. But for a chronically ill person, that…

The drug recall that rocked the hypoparathyroidism community

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…

With hypoparathyroidism, it helps to find the right calcium supplement

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…

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,…

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…