Recharged and Rewired – a Column by Brittany Foster

August 16, 2019August 14, 2019

The Importance of Assembling a Top-notch Medical Team

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

I don’t have control over a lot when it comes to my health. I can’t choose the surgeries I will have, and I can’t predict what my physical symptoms ... Read more

August 9, 2019August 13, 2019

The Side of Me Most People Don’t See

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

Living with chronic illness has made me more aware of the complexity of emotions that go along with health management. There are parts of me that I am not ... Read more

July 26, 2019July 24, 2019

Why I Am ‘Tearful’ and ‘Distressed’ at Medical Appointments

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

Clinician notes from my recent doctor’s visits have included comments such as “patient was tearful,” and “patient was in distress.” My initial reaction to reading these remarks was, “Oh, ... Read more

July 19, 2019July 17, 2019

To My Support System: Thank You for Never Giving Up on Me

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

Chronic illness often leaves me feeling frustrated with my physical and mental health. When I am feeling overwhelmed by my body’s symptoms or experiencing emotional distress, I am not ... Read more

July 12, 2019July 9, 2019

Acknowledging the Loss of My Health Allows Me to Move Forward

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

It is difficult to admit defeat. It is even more of a challenge to acknowledge something as a loss. Living with chronic illness and pulmonary hypertension, I’ve felt defeated ... Read more

June 21, 2019June 19, 2019

Talk Therapy Has Helped Me to Reach Acceptance and Learn to Advocate

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

Life with chronic illness is not easy. My days are unpredictable, and I often feel unsure and uneasy about what lies ahead. Some days I feel productive and physically ... Read more

June 14, 2019June 12, 2019

Moving Forward Despite the Setbacks

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

In the last few months, I have spent more time in the hospital than at home. When I am discharged, I feel the anxiety that is normal for me ... Read more

June 7, 2019June 4, 2019

Having Hope Saved My Life Before Major Surgery

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

A month ago, I wasn’t sure when I would be writing again. I wrote my last column prior to a life-changing surgery, hoping that it wouldn’t be my last ... Read more

May 10, 2019May 23, 2019

Pain Makes Me Lose the ‘Real Me’ and I Don’t Like the Person I Become

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

My pain levels vary. Some days I feel “OK,” and I can go outside and enjoy myself. At other times, my pain levels are higher, and any activity leaves ... Read more

May 3, 2019May 2, 2019

The Waiting Is the Hardest Part: Anticipation Heightens My Anxiety

Columns, Recharged and Rewired - a Column by Brittany Foster

When I was younger, I was always “waiting” for something to happen. I can remember at 10 years old counting down the days and hours until the next big ... Read more