Float Like a Buttahfly
— Kerry Wong

We’re all familiar with the evolutionary fight-or-flight response. When faced with stress or danger, we go through physiological changes that enable us to either battle a predator (fight) or escape the situation (flight). However, there is another option, although we probably wouldn’t choose it willingly: to freeze. That’s…

Happy New Year! By now, we’ve all hopefully recovered from the holidays and are starting to get into the groove of 2022, hoping and planning for a better year. The recovery may be a little easier this year, as celebrations have looked different since COVID-19 took over the world. We’ve…

I’ve been reading through my recent columns, and I noticed that I frequently mention how tremendously helpful therapy is. There are a few reasons for that. When I started my blog in 2010, my goal was to help people. I thought that sharing how I got through difficult times…

I’ve never been very good with boundaries. I’ll respect yours, sure. But when it comes to setting my own and sticking to them, not so much. Over the years, this has taken its toll on relationships, employment, and even my health. Kerry at Disney World with her mobility…

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. It’s not about material things, or one religion over another, or one-upping anyone with decorations or extravagant gifts. It’s simply a day of gratitude. A day for friends, family, football, and of course,…

Yesterday, I made vegetable curry for dinner, and it was a big deal. Well, it was for me. I’ve never been much of a cook. When I was 15, I “wooed” my husband by burning a frozen pizza, so he knew what he was getting into when he chose to…

The sarcoidosis community took a serious hit when we learned of fellow warrior Rodney Reese’s passing on Sept. 25. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Rodney was also a friend, brother, and father figure to thousands of people living with sarcoidosis. We have lost a cherished member of our family.

Back when I was healthy, I’d work up to three jobs at a time and volunteer on top of that. My husband’s work schedule was based on seniority, and because he was relatively new to his job, he usually had crummy hours and even crummier days off. He was coming…

The other day, I sent a message to my rheumatologist asking about getting a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was 11 p.m. on a Sunday, but I had to send it before I forgot. A half-hour later, I received two notifications about a new message and a letter…

It seems there’s a commemorative day for just about everything. Today alone apparently is the Gold Cup Parade, National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day (I’m all for that), National Radio Day, and World Mosquito Day (no thanks). I recently learned that Aug. 30 is National Grief Awareness Day, which…

The other day, I was sitting on the couch recuperating from my shower. (Yes, for many people with sarcoidosis, a shower is an Olympic event that requires planning, preparation, and recovery — but that’s a story for another day.) Anyway, I was on the couch trying to relax when, suddenly,…

No, not that one. The other day, I Fell and Fractured my Foot (though I admit I probably said the other F-word a few times when it happened). I sprained my ankle, too, just to make it more Fun. It was the Fifth metatarsal on the outer side of my…