Category Archives: Health

My Body, the Resilient Warrior

Posted on January 15, 2018 by emsander

My body is strong. It’s been through a hell of a lot. You see, it’s been fighting since day one, as soon as my diseased lungs expanded for the first time. A relentless slog forward. Despite the premature death sentence … Continue reading →

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Learning to Walk Again

Posted on December 31, 2017 by emsander

Stay focused. One foot in front of the other. Go slow. You can do this. These are the encouraging remarks I whisper to myself as I wobble down the street. I can barely walk straight. Everything around me is bouncing … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a Quarter-Life Crisis

Posted on May 6, 2013 by emsander

“What do you want to do?” “I want to leave my job and I don’t want to resign my lease.” The second the words left my mouth I knew they were true. As scary as they were, those words had … Continue reading →

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The Story of Leon and His Liver

Posted on April 9, 2013 by emsander

March was the month of travel. Not only did I go to D.C. for a job interview and stop at my old NYC stomping grounds, but I visited a dear friend on the coast of Maine. We are literally in … Continue reading →

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A Grown-Up New Year’s Eve

Posted on January 22, 2013 by emsander

New Year’s Eve is almost always a disappointment. I build it up way too much, hoping for an unforgettable, epic night of debauchery. Well, thanks to pounding alcohol like it’s the eve of Prohibition, I not only forget the night, … Continue reading →

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The Hospital from Hell: Part IV

Posted on January 9, 2013 by emsander

After two nights in the Hospital from Hell I still had no idea what was going on or when I would be leaving. The typical treatment for a CF flare up is to get a PICC line inserted (I’ll explain what this … Continue reading →

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The Hospital from Hell: Part III

Posted on December 21, 2012 by emsander

All I wanted to do was sleep. But my new hospital roommate made that task impossible. She was a kind woman in her 40s from Colombia with a heart condition and the voice of Sofia Vergara. “You neeeeed da rrrrred … Continue reading →

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The Hospital from Hell: Part II

Posted on December 7, 2012 by emsander

I was wheeled into a hospital room occupied by five senior citizens screaming at each other. Dear God, help me. On second thought, maybe I’ll just suck up the pain and go home. Oxygen is overrated anyways. “Oops, this is the wrong … Continue reading →

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The Hospital from Hell: Part I

Posted on December 5, 2012 by emsander

Every breath felt like a needle stabbing into my lungs. The weight on my chest and back was unlike anything I’ve experienced. “Is this dress too summery?” my roommate asked, opening my bedroom door to model her outfit. I burst … Continue reading →

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