Modern Day Mutant – Ann Reynoso

I am an advocate for my rare disease, but I still can’t describe it. Several weeks ago, I went to the dentist with my husband. It was a hot and humid day, as it always is here in Texas. I was carrying “Cooper,” the name I gave to my…

As a research sociologist, my goal is to research anything and everything I need answers to. I often become so preoccupied with this search that it becomes an obsession. Many people turn to online research for answers about health issues, and I am no different. When it comes…

How do you learn to love your body while struggling with a rare illness? I used to ask myself this almost daily. I love to eat, and comfort food provides just that — comfort. Vegetables and fruits sound delicious, but they wouldn’t be the first thing I run to…

My husband is retiring in a couple weeks. I’m not of retirement age, but sometimes life happens and decisions are forced upon us. (Photo by Ann Reynoso) My husband and I have quite an age gap. He is 16 years older than me, making our retirement stages uneven. While…

I had an epiphany last week: It’s hard to find a job! My first thought was that it must be my age. My experience doesn’t matter because I don’t fit into the work culture. (I’d never heard of “work culture” until I saw it on LinkedIn.) My second…

I just finished watching the episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in which Capt. Jean-Luc Picard was taken by the Borg. In one scene, the Borg turned him into a machine, or in Trekkie terms, a “cyborg.” This made me think of my “extra appendages,” my oxygen tanks.

One of the most important blessings in life is having a strong support group. A support team may consist of family members, friends, or a community of people. My support team included three of the greatest people in my life: my husband, daughter, and mother. It is important…

I will celebrate my two-year diagnosis anniversary on Dec. 11. On this day, which changed my life forever, I was finally diagnosed with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. My head was spinning when I heard these words. What is this illness? I wondered. Is it curable? It must be curable, I…