The pain of an acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) attack is almost unbearable. It feels like someone is squeezing my right side with their fingernails, and it won’t stop. It has to stop. I almost can’t take it anymore. “Yes, I can!” I say to myself. I can get through…
I'm Not Always Me - a Column by Kalyn Shelton
Katherine was in her room putting clothes away with her chocolate lab, Bentley, by her side. Before she realized what was happening, she dropped to the floor, scraping her back on the bed on the way down. Bentley quickly came to the rescue by getting onto her lap and licking…
As I shared in my previous column, my husband, Daniel, my mom, and I drove to Chicago last month for PorphyriaPalooza. The event, held Sept. 13-15, was designed to bring together members of the porphyria community. Fifteen hours after starting our journey, we made it…
Toothbrush, check. Clothes, check. My book, “I’m Not Always Me,” check. Purple hair, check. Finally, I was ready to go to Chicago for the PorphyriaPalooza! My husband, Daniel, and I had traveled to Michigan from our home in North Carolina in March 2019. Five years ago, Lake Michigan…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with several antidepressants and other mental health medications. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I touched on it in my previous column, but I’d just like to say that…
“You can go with them,” I told my husband, Daniel, as I lay in the hospital bed. “Go where?” he asked. “Out the window,” I responded. Considering we were on one of the top floors of the hospital, Daniel was very confused. Anyone would’ve struggled to grasp what was going…
This column describes the author’s own experiences with several medicines. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I was 23 and in a relationship with my eventual husband, Daniel. At the time, we weren’t ready to have a baby,…
I love you. I can’t stand you. Please don’t leave. I just want to be alone! These conflicting emotions all happened within a matter of minutes. That was red flag No. 2. Severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting were red flag No. 1. As an in-home caregiver from western…
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