Yesterday marked one year since I took my grandmother to the Emergency Room with severe back pain. I never imagined that trip to the ER would mark the last time she’d live in her condo of more than two decades….
The Importance of Routines
It’s hard to believe that I have been going to visit my grandmother nightly in the nursing home for one full year already. I remember this time last year so vividly—her condition was poor, and the situation was touch and…
Sailing Through Life
As a caregiver, I don’t often get much time to myself. So when a few former co-workers decided to get together and arrange a sailing trip around my hectic schedule, I carved out the time. Something about being out on…
Five Things I’m Grateful for This Week
This was one of those weeks where busy was an understatement, the stress was real, and life got in the way of everything I tried to do. Yet, by the end the week, rather than feel exhausted from my lengthy…
Vanessa Goes to Washington
It has been 13 years since I graduated with a political science degree from The American University, and I am excited to be going back to Washington, DC! Well, not technically, so bear with me. As a thyroid cancer survivor…
Media Mentions: Advocacy in Action
While I may have taken some time off from blogging, I’ve remained active as a patient advocate and had many exciting opportunities to share my experience as a millennial thyroid cancer survivor and a caregiver to my 94-year-old-grandmother. Since my…
Taking Care of Yourself: 30’s Style
In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I’m not the best at taking care of myself. That might sound shocking coming from someone who writes about self-care and its importance. But the truth is, I’m a caregiver…
The Goal of the #SanityStroll
We all know how difficult it can be to carve out time for ourselves. With the demands of work, home, family, relationships, and in my case, caregiving responsibilities, sometimes it feels like there are just not enough hours in the…
Caregiver Confessions: Cleaning Out My Grandmother’s Home
You know those stretches in life that are just insanely busy? You keep thinking that things are going to calm down “as soon as,” but as soon as never quite seems to come. That’s what I’ve been dealing with for…
My VitaJuwel Bottle from Mindful Health Gives
I recently won a giveaway from Mindful Health Gives and they sent me a beautiful gem water bottle from VitaJuwel. I was so excited, since I hardly ever win anything and I had been eyeing one of these stunning gem water bottles…
