Invisible Chaos — Athena Merritt

More than 55 million people plan to travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving this year, according to AAA. But I won’t be among them. After two exhausting trips to Cleveland, all within a month, this self-proclaimed worst…

I’m often my own worst enemy. Last year, I decided to add some variety to my usual cardio workout. When I started a cardiac rehabilitation program to manage my postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), the goal was to…

Boarding an airport shuttle bus at 3 a.m. on a recent Sunday, I didn’t expect much in the way of conversation when I greeted the driver. I thought I’d receive a grunted “hello” in response. But instead, I got…

For many like myself with sarcoidosis and other chronic illnesses, reducing prescription costs is an ongoing effort. As the year winds down, there are a few actions we can take to help achieve that goal.  Review and…

Getting out of bed in the mornings has become an adventure. Even if I remember to guzzle water and rise slowly to prevent the onset of lightheadedness from my postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, there’s my trick leg to…

Healthy eating is a year-round struggle for me, but the month of October is when temptation is at its worst. Candy is everywhere. At work. At the doctor’s office. At the bank. And everyone becomes a pusher of…

At this time of year, a window opens for millions of people to find savings on their healthcare costs. Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, allows you to review and make…

I don’t cry often. So, one morning recently, as I stared out of the window at breakfast, I was surprised when tears started streaming down my face. I had been feeling worn out and overwhelmed for weeks, fearing that…

Pain throws down the gauntlet the moment I wake up in the morning. As I’m lying in bed, taking stock of my symphony of aches, pain sends its troops with a message: “Pull the covers back up and maybe…

If the proverb “misery loves company” holds true, my brother, Antony, and I will be inseparable this NFL season. On Sept. 15, we watched the quarterbacks of our favorite teams leave the field with injuries, taking with them the…

When I think of the nearly 20 million students projected to attend college this fall, what comes to mind are the freshmen stepping into uncharted territory. As my niece, Jocelyn, put it, “You go from being at the top of…

Attending medical appointments is routine when battling active sarcoidosis. But we stand to benefit most if we see our doctors consistently, not just when we’re ill, but also when we’re well. Lifestyle choices such as exercising regularly, eating healthfully,…