Life Tethered to a Concentrator — Caroline Gainer

For several years now, a doe has hidden her fawns in the middle flower bed in my front lawn. I gain so much pleasure watching her deposit her children for me to babysit each…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with the sleep aid and antidepressant trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.

When I was suffering from depression, I couldn’t do my housework the way that I wanted. Now that I’m better, I’m enjoying doing things like pulling weeds and other chores. These activities are also…

I was born a preemie weighing in at 4 pounds, and during my first six years of life, I was plagued with numerous ear infections. I now have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In observing Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I’d like to offer some insights into some symptoms we may overlook. Depression and anxiety, for example, are common for those of us with chronic…

Once upon a time, before chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) took my breath away, I had a pet robin named Oscar. He had a damaged wing, which might have been caused by the…

When I was young, I envisioned myself as memorialized in history for my outstanding accomplishments, but recovery from depression has made me fall in love with the ordinary. The onset of chronic…

Note: This column discusses depression, including thoughts of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Resources for help are listed at the end of the column. This column also describes the author’s own experiences with various…

Trying something new doesn’t always yield good results, which is why those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need to vet any new device we may wish to try. I did…

March is a difficult month for me. I can relate to Bill Withers’ song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The bleak winter months in southern West Virginia get me a little (or a lot) down. Those…

A friend asked me if there is still time to get this season’s flu shot. That got me thinking about the issues that come with the shift from winter to spring and summer for…