Moments of ‘Happily’
Maybe life isn’t about a singular happily ending. Maybe it’s about the moments—Those three mornings I woke up feeling better, like this morning hanging out with Barney… I’ll take them. They are moments of ‘happily.’
Author Archive for: Danielle Roessle
Entries by Danielle Roessle
Rare Disease Diagnosis
Thankfully, one of my nephrologists took my concerns seriously. He re-reviewed the genetic test and looked into other autoimmune causes. That’s how he came to diagnose me with aHUS.
It Just Sucks Sometimes
Maybe not every hardship needs to be turned into a narrative of growth. Maybe some of it just is. Sometimes it just fcking sucks, and it’s just part of being human.
Between Pain and Purpose
My deepest prayer is to get better and return to the work I love — sharing my story, saving lives, and building communities again. But I’m learning to trust that, like Suleika Jaouad, I can write through the pain and, when the clouds part, shape my thoughts into something lasting: a memoir for Barney that tells him who I am, what I’ve loved, what I’ve struggled with, and what I believe in.
I’m Not Feeling Well
This won’t be a very introspective email—I’m not feeling well. The main update is that my viral numbers have come down, which is encouraging.
Self-Absorption vs. Self-Attunement
Self-attunement is about listening inward, without losing the ability to stay present with others. Self-absorption, on the other hand, is a loop of over-focusing on oneself—which can lead to behaviors like distraction, defensiveness, interpreting, assuming, and judging. Both are common human experiences. However, one brings connection. The other builds walls.
Freedom From Needing Life to Be Big
Hope and realism aren’t opposites. I’m learning to carry them side by side.
I’m also learning that expansion and contraction will be part of my life from now on (and it always was, but I didn’t pay as much attention to it).
Write to Fight
“This is so hard. Please help me get through this. Please get me to the other side. But please… can I just get a break?”
The message I got, surprisingly clear, was: ‘Fight through your writing.’ And suddenly, I felt better.
Homeward Bound: A Small Milestone
For the first time in 15 months, I’ve been able to meditate again—something I haven’t been able to do since delivering Barney.
Kidney Rejection
Today the results came back. Worst case scenario: I am experiencing severe kidney rejection. But here’s the thing: my doctors are optimistic. They caught this early.