Columns

My mother-in-law has always valued her autonomy. The pain of her peripheral neuropathy, the hallmark symptom of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), leads her to feel helpless at times. This helplessness gives way to grief and despair. Our family does our best to let our…

It has been 17 months since my husband, Aubrey, passed away due to complications of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. Following his diagnosis in 2013, Aubrey’s journey was wrought with many untold challenges. His pain and struggle were visible to our family, including our four children. As his wife…

My mother-in-law, who has familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), consistently adheres to her prescribed treatments, which has improved her mobility and overall mood. Because of this, she can handle more physical activity during family time. This positive change over the past few years, including those when I took a…

Medication adherence is crucial to managing familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Left untreated, FAP can have life-threatening consequences. As an article published in U.S. Pharmacist notes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), medication adherence can have a more direct impact on patient outcomes than even the…

After a hiatus of three years, it is with a mix of emotions that I return to writing this column. Allow me to reintroduce myself: My name is Ezekiel Lim, and I continue writing to share once again the journey of caregiving for my mother-in-law, who has struggled with…

On Sunday, March 19, I appeared on New Zealand’s 1News to discuss my journey as a caregiver to my late husband, Aubrey, who had hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. I now face the reality that any of our four children could have the genetic mutation that causes the…

This column has been a year in the making. When my late husband, Aubrey, passed away in May 2022 from hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, I couldn’t articulate my thoughts and feelings to paper or screen. Instead, my mind was filled with questions about how to move forward as a…

In the blink of an eye, we’re already approaching the third month of 2023. For me, the ushering in of a new year came with poignancy and a new aspiration to do better as I move forward into a future without a beloved family member. My husband, Aubrey, passed…

I have previously written about the importance of staying positive despite our circumstances. Whether you are a patient or a caregiver to a loved one with a chronic illness, keeping yourself above the waterline to avoid drowning in your circumstances is essential. As the legendary basketball player Michael…

This column will be my 94th since starting “Sunrise, Sunset.” My caregiving experience has taken me through many ups and downs and countless joys and heartbreaks. I’ve had to reset and reestablish my footing many times. I’ve learned that situations don’t last forever; whatever phase I find myself…