Rumination and Response - a Column by Ezekiel Lim

Ezekiel is caregiver to his mother-in-law, who has familial amyloid polyneuropathy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic and organizational communications from Temple University and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When not writing, he’s skateboarding or hanging out with his wife, Maryann.

How neuropathy caregivers become a proxy for emotional suffering

For neuropathy patients, especially those who have familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), the caregiver may become their arms, legs, eyes, and ears. While that may seem like a daunting task, there’s a benefit: Caregivers experience an emotional side to their daily duties that seems to make them one with patients.

How caregivers can help neuropathy patients enjoy cooking

A diagnosis of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), or the onset of peripheral neuropathy symptoms, may cause patients to worry about missing out on the activities they enjoy. Spending time with family, hosting, cooking, and participating in backyard sports may seem daunting due to neuropathy…

How my mother-in-law’s dog helped her cope with FAP

The companionship of dogs and other pets may benefit patients by helping them cope as they manage the symptoms of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). But depending on when the pet becomes part of the family, its presence may also be a hindrance, unknowingly aggravating the patient’s pain. That’s especially…

Navigating the shift from winter to spring as a neuropathy caregiver

March signals a change in seasons, often accompanied by a change in temperatures. Caregivers of patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) must be mindful of the transition from cold temperatures to warmer ones. My mother-in-law’s peripheral neuropathy symptoms make her susceptible to pain during extreme hot or…

My recommendations for shoes that may help with neuropathy pain

Author’s note: I received no compensation for writing about the following products. I just really like shoes. My mother-in-law suffers from peripheral neuropathy pain due to familial amyloid polyneuropathy, or FAP. This pain requires her to move around in a motorized wheelchair because too much walking can be…

Winter tips for familial amyloid polyneuropathy caregivers

Starting in late November and often lasting through March, the cold weather in much of the U.S. can be a burden for many patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Those living on the East Coast or in the Midwest often face especially brutal winters. My mother-in-law’s FAP symptoms require…

Snapshots of the mobility needs of people with FAP

A few months ago, I learned something new about my wife’s side of the family as we celebrated Thanksgiving. My mother-in-law suffers from familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), which I already knew. But my wife’s grandmother told me that three of her own siblings had also been diagnosed with…