One Thousand Flaming Swords — Claire Richmond

The COVID-19 pandemic canceled a wedding we had scheduled for last June. When my fiancé, Michael, and I told friends and family abut our decision to postpone the ceremony, we were met with tons of sympathy. The sentiment was…

It was love at first sight when I met my standard poodle, Lenny Bruce, but what I never imagined is how much he’d teach me about love and living. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I began playing…

My fiancé, Michael, is my caregiver. He tends to my needs during acute hepatic porphyria attacks, provides emotional support, and has steady energy that keeps me sane. Last year when he became very ill, I had to take…

I recently found myself (masked up) at Walmart in a tiny Iowa town. These days, I don’t frequent big-box stores, but I’m a huge fan of scoping out the newest innovations in packaged foods adorning their shelves. Holiday-themed candy…

Like many people with painful chronic illness, I struggle with my mental health. This morning, simply getting out of bed took a lot out of me because I was tired from a restless night. Then, as my wheels got…

I walk my standard poodle, named Lenny Bruce, around the neighborhood every afternoon. We live in a historic area of Des Moines, Iowa, with sturdy sidewalks and old, expansive trees. Over the last week, I have relished the transformation…

I have a history of abusive relationships with medical providers. My trauma history stems from medical mistreatment and being dismissed while experiencing serious symptoms. My story is not uncommon. Disclaimer: This is not a piece to hate on doctors.

Some will read this column and think it’s too political — that politics isn’t “in my lane” as a writer. I thought deeply about this prior to posting. On a steamy, early July morning last summer, I got behind…

In accepting chronic pain and the acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) roller coaster, I came to terms with the realities of my new normal. That brings days that must happen and times I get to choose if the…

Editor’s note: This column was updated Sept. 15, 2020, to emphasize the individuality of the writer’s personal experience, and now specifies the importance of seeking guidance from medical professionals. When my second port was implanted on the left side…

In the early morning hours, my body jarred me awake. Before opening my eyes, I felt the onslaught of symptoms I knew would be coming before I put myself to bed last night. Pain. Not a stomach cramp, not…

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) doesn’t define who I am, but it does control what I can do. And my tendency is to talk about that. I will voice my daily struggles, reflect on my hospitalizations, and speak up about…