I wasn’t always fat. I used to be a runner, a triathlete, a swimmer, and a gym rat. But in the past four years, my body has been hijacked by a connective tissue disorder, or a “fat disorder” called Lipedema.

Many people have recently learned about this disorder through Shannon…

Last September, I was diagnosed with Lipedema after a four-year battle through menopause and weight gain.

I didn’t know this disease existed, which is terrible because I’m a nurse and should know about this widespread ailment among women.

After my diagnosis, I openly talked about it with my colleagues; all…

A man was talking to me recently about another woman’s hair. Her hair was short, thick, and curly, a deep auburn brown. I thought it was edgy and cool, and it meshed well with her personality.

Then this man made a comment to me about her.

“Her hair is so…

The other morning, we had one of our signature black ice freezes where I live, and both my husband and I had to drive to work. Our commute takes about 12 minutes. We work in the same hospital, but I work an 8-hour shift, and he works a 12-hour shift…

I used to work for a company that threw quite the work Christmas party. The owner took the employees and spouses (or dates) downtown to an expensive dinner. We ate a lavish meal and drank expensive wine. After dinner, we had a scavenger hunt…in limousines. We were met with cocktails…

I don’t want to experience a time like the past couple of years anymore.

Since 2019, my life has been a period of ongoing loss. Loss hasn’t occurred with only me, but with many people I know. …

We are suspicious of change. We don’t like the unknown.

But when change is needed, we’re encouraged to let go and move on.

Instead, we hold on. Significant life changes throw us into a spin cycle.

Should we let go? Maybe a different approach is warranted.

Instead of letting go…

A few months ago, I learned about Shannon Ashley’s tortuous journey with her lipedema, her difficulty getting diagnosed, and the cost of getting treatment. You can’t miss her frequent writing about this disease.

I wrote an article — A Writer’s Medical Plight is a Common Theme in our Country —…