J.G. Chayko

On our first anniversary, Hydroxychloroquine took me to the ophthalmologist. We arrived at a small quaint building, painted white, the outside decorated with bright pink and orange flowers. Cherry blossoms lined the street with their crimson veils. Tiny petals speckled the sidewalks, leading us to our first analysis of our life together. I sat in…

I scuttled across the wet ground, ducking beneath my umbrella as the rain pelted down. My left foot plunked into a shallow puddle; within moments, a distinct squishing sensation accompanied each new step and my foot grew cold and wet… A large selection of boots was displayed on one wall of the store. I looked…

The water flowed from the spout crashing into the tub. Goosebumps danced on my skin in anticipation of dipping into a hot bath, liberating me from the pain of arthritis. A light mist drifted over the mirrors creating a pleasant haze with a sweet scent and a warming ambience. I lowered my body into the…

I followed the doctor down a gloomy hall and entered a spacious clean room flooded with bright daylight, despite the dark and daunting clouds lingering outside the window. We had a brief discussion of my symptoms, the swelling and redness that often appeared in my fingers and danced across the knuckles of my hands. He…

I stumbled out of bed early in the morning, plodded into the bathroom with a glass of water and pulled my “days of the week” pill organizer from the cabinet; it was empty. I took several medication bottles, arranged them on the counter and began filling each compartment with a variety of pills. Each tiny…

A small sign pointed the way to the hot yoga studio. I stepped into the reception area and the scent of lavender and eucalyptus assaulted my nose. Soft music hummed from speakers in the ceiling. I filled out the registration form requesting information about my personal and medical history – under reasons for taking the…

She arrived, uninvited, during the chill of winter. She crossed my threshold, that old woman I didn’t expect, invading my body and taking a piece of my life. She grabbed hold of me, took possession of my youth and spent months skulking between the synovial linings of my joints, imprisoning me within her lifeless cocoon….

I hobbled through the apartment lobby and my mood deflated at the sight of the huge sign on the elevator: OUT OF ORDER. My apartment was on the third floor, an easy walk on a good day – but this was not a good day. My puffy joints burned and shrieked at each movement. I…

I glanced down at my hands, watching a red line march across my puffy knuckles. My feverish fingers rested on the keyboard burning through the keys. I was mesmerized by the rapid swelling; I lifted my arms and gazed at overstuffed marshmallows dangling off the end of my wrists… I woke in the morning, creaky…