health Archives – Kveller

Mammograms — they’re uncomfortable and scary, but once women reach a certain age, they become a necessary part of life. Being the best test available for doctors to detect early signs of breast… cancer, all women over 40— yes, even celebrities — eventually have to go have them. The universal procedure requires women to place their breasts on an X-ray machine, and that can be a very vulnerable experience. Medical practitioners are meant to guide their patients through the exam to make it as comfortable as possible, so… >> Read More

health

We Planned to Start a Family in 3 Years. Then We Found the BRCA Gene.

Sarah Anderson

We had a plan. We were three years into our marriage and had three years left on a credit card consolidation loan. My student loans would also be paid off in three years. With our debts… finally paid, we would actually be able to buy a house. We figured we’d take some time to settle in, get used to our new life as homeowners, then start a family. This would give me time to further establish my career as an environmental scientist and put me firmly in my early 30s —… >> Read More

health

We’ve All Heard Enough About Your Diet, ThankYouVeryMuch

Sharon G. Forman

Back in the day, when I was pumping what felt like gallons of breast milk for my infant son, I used to be thin — really thin. In fact, the super-fit New York City parents at my older daughter’s… preschool would beg me to reveal the secret formula to my svelte figure. "Don’t be so impressed," I told a fellow mom who had the silhouette of Flat Stanley. "I have an appointment to get blood work done to make sure I don’t have some terrible health problem.” Fortunately, my weight loss had more to… >> Read More

Daughters

Saying the Mourner’s Kaddish for My Mom, Who Is Still Alive

Alyssa Blitzer

Every time we leave my parents' house, it happens. We’re driving home in the dark; my children are laughing in the back seat. I'm trying to remain strong and act somewhat normal, but the sadness… intensifies as the anger feverishly boils deep inside of me. My thoughts silently race in 20 different directions as I try to make sense of my feelings, but I can’t. So I cry. It’s been nine years since my mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. You’d think that, by now, time would have healed some of… >> Read More

mental health

What to Do When a Kid Posts Suicidal Thoughts on Social Media

Jordana Horn

How would your kid react if they saw a friend write this on Snapchat: “Would anyone even care if I killed myself?” This is not a drill — this did really happen to kids I know. And now that… we have been through it, I’d like to share what I learned from this experience, because it could possibly save a kid’s life. 1. Tell your teen: If they see something like this, they need to tell you. You would think that this would be a given, but it’s not. Our teens are deluged with so… >> Read More

Load More Articles