It’s summer here in Auckland, New Zealand, and as I look out the window at my weed-filled lawn, not only am I reminded that the grass needs mowing again, but also how time flies without qualms or quandary. It’s been 19 months since I lost my husband, Aubrey, to…
Sunrise Sunset – a Column by Jaime Christmas
I recently had the pleasure of attending an Amyloidosis Alliance conference in Madrid, which brought together advocates from around the world who serve the transthyretin amyloidosis community. This includes the familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and amyloid light chain or primary amyloidosis communities. Attendees discussed the…
It has been 17 months since my husband, Aubrey, passed away due to complications of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. Following his diagnosis in 2013, Aubrey’s journey was wrought with many untold challenges. His pain and struggle were visible to our family, including our four children. As his wife…
On Sunday, March 19, I appeared on New Zealand’s 1News to discuss my journey as a caregiver to my late husband, Aubrey, who had hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. I now face the reality that any of our four children could have the genetic mutation that causes the…
This column has been a year in the making. When my late husband, Aubrey, passed away in May 2022 from hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, I couldn’t articulate my thoughts and feelings to paper or screen. Instead, my mind was filled with questions about how to move forward as a…
In the blink of an eye, we’re already approaching the third month of 2023. For me, the ushering in of a new year came with poignancy and a new aspiration to do better as I move forward into a future without a beloved family member. My husband, Aubrey, passed…
I have previously written about the importance of staying positive despite our circumstances. Whether you are a patient or a caregiver to a loved one with a chronic illness, keeping yourself above the waterline to avoid drowning in your circumstances is essential. As the legendary basketball player Michael…
This column will be my 94th since starting “Sunrise, Sunset.” My caregiving experience has taken me through many ups and downs and countless joys and heartbreaks. I’ve had to reset and reestablish my footing many times. I’ve learned that situations don’t last forever; whatever phase I find myself…
Late last week, to drive disease awareness, I took to the streets in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, and asked random people if they had heard of amyloidosis. None of the 15 strangers who were kind enough to answer my questions had heard of it. This does not surprise me…
It’s been over four months since I lost my husband, Aubrey, to hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. The vacuum he’s left behind in the lives of our four children and me may not be immediately apparent, but one only needs to dig a little deeper to see how much we…
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