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Lizzy's avatar

Tess!!! Sorry but your recent examples are actually so normal and reasonable. But brains are evil and weird. I identify with this newsletter a lot. I "have" cancer. Actually I don't - they took it all out in September, my hair is growing back, my immunotherapy treatment is pretty easy. But I still cannot operate in the past tense. idk maybe I need to go to therapy. Anyway - I love reading what you have to say and hope whatever career trajectory you end up on the universe still gets to hear your thoughts.

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Courtney Fickes's avatar

Hi I had a pretty life shattering event happen in Oct/nov and while I’m not sick, I definitely relate to the what is normal/when will I be normal again/what is my new normal thinking, and also feeling like I can never shut up about myself and my situation, which I will do now, but you’re not alone promise. 2024 was insanely brutal to all of the best people I know. Including u. And me

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pilferk's avatar

Another great column! Awaiting next weeks ".....and now I have Gout from all the salty meats" follow up!

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Witchy Ang's avatar

Nothing you've said here about yourself makes me want to turn away-- You Are Lovable!!

Few (of us) can wear the

"Selfish Tiara" so cutely and with the style demanded. 👑😘😏

The shocking statement in this piece was your admittance of sneaking spoonfuls of ice cream,

and the effect it's having on your digestive system! 😱🫨😵

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Calli's avatar

I once read a testimony from a woman who had lost a child, and felt afterwards, particularly in social settings, that it was like walking around with a spear through her chest that everyone could see. The loss, the trauma, *was* the spear. And the reality of hanging out with someone and NOT talking about or acknowledging the spear would be infinitely weirder than simply doing so. It’s too much a part of that person to not ignore it. So she talks about it, and it becomes part of her in a way that feels somewhat normal after a time. Invisible or not, the spears are there sometimes let’s talk about it!

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Heidi Lehman's avatar

I love reading your posts and so appreciate your transparency. Thank you for sharing your notes from Dr Keefer, very helpful to those of us with Crohn’s / chronic illness. I can’t wait to read next wk’s post! In meantime hope you enjoy all that salt and ice cream!

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