“This is a true story based on a lie.” That’s how each episode of “Apple Cider Vinegar,” a Netflix series released earlier this year, begins. The show tells the story of Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer, app developer, and cookbook author. Through sharing her story about her…
I have a confession to make: I don’t read all my email. I try to, but it can be overwhelming. Instead, I skim through my inbox to see if I need to read anything right away, then bookmark things I’ll get back to later. Sometimes I’m too delete-happy with the…
Sitting at the infusion center for my intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, I opened up a Google Docs tab on my laptop. I’d just gotten an idea for a column, and wanted to jot down some notes before I forgot it. I had typed exactly eight words when another patient stopped…
I started writing this column a few weeks ago when I was angry. I was irate, it was festering, and I had to get it out. I started jotting down my thoughts, with the clickety-clack of my nails on the keyboard beating harder and faster than usual. If I were…
A few days ago, I saw a post on Bluesky that made me chuckle … and then it made me think. Originally posted by @ONeillJones on another platform and reshared by @chronicillness.bsky.social (known as Chronic Illness Humor), it posed a simple question: “Y’all think there are vampires that eat…
“When did the pain start?” That’s a fairly straightforward question with an uncomplicated answer for most people: “I fell last Thursday and hurt my knee.” “I was helping a friend move over the weekend and tweaked my back.” “I ate something funky last night, and my stomach’s been hurting ever…
Last week, my husband and I took a road trip to see the Yankees play the Reds in Cincinnati, checking another stadium off our bucket list. We went out for brunch before the game and had a nice chat with our waitress, mostly admiring each other’s tattoos. The food, our…
This month, I watched the 78th annual Tony Awards, looking forward to performances from the year’s top shows. I’m always hoping to see my new favorites recognized and get ideas for what to attend next. This year’s awards show was extra special, featuring a reunion and medley from the original…
Writer’s block: when you want (or have) to write something but the words just won’t come to you. It could be for a school paper, a business report, a personal story, a speech, or a simple social media post, but it happens to all of us. We think. We…
Dearly beloved, Earlier this month, my husband and I attended our niece’s wedding. Later this month, we’ll renew our vows to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. It’s no surprise that in between the two events, I’ve been reflecting on love, marriage, and what we mean when we say “I do.”…
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