Dark to Hopeful - a Column by Shaquilla Gordon

Before I got sick, college was part of my plan. It wasn’t just a dream; it was a goal I was actively working toward. Then came my diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and suddenly everything paused. Life turned into blood tests, infusions, and learning to survive…

Living with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) has taught me that treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a journey, not a destination. When I was diagnosed in May 2017, I was overwhelmed. There were medical terms flying over my head, treatment options that sounded complicated, and an avalanche of fear…

Travel has always fed my soul. There’s something magical about exploring a new city, tasting different foods, or just watching the sunrise from someplace unfamiliar. But since I was diagnosed with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in 2017, traveling has taken on a whole new meaning — it’s no longer…

Living with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) has taught me many things — but one lesson I didn’t expect to learn was how complicated it can feel to ask for a medical second opinion. Let’s be real: There’s a stigma around it. Whether we say it…

There’s a quiet kind of strength that doesn’t get applause. It’s not loud or dramatic. It’s the strength it takes to keep going when your body feels like it’s quitting on you. The kind that gets up anyway, that smiles through fatigue, that finds peace in small moments others might…

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is more than just a tongue twister; it’s a rare, chronic blood disorder that alters every aspect of life. When I was diagnosed with it in 2017, I quickly realized I wouldn’t just be on a physical journey, but also an emotional and informational…

When I was diagnosed with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in 2017, food was the last thing on my mind. I was overwhelmed by appointments, blood work, and adjusting to my “new normal.” But over time, I realized that what I put into my body played a huge role in…

Some days I wake up and forget for a few golden seconds that I have paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). My eyes flutter open, and there’s no tightness in my chest, no pounding in my head, no crushing fatigue pulling me back into the mattress. There’s just morning light, the…

Living with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) for nearly eight years has shaped how I show up in every part of my life. It’s a quiet battle, mostly invisible to the outside world, but inside, it’s a constant balancing act. One of the most difficult and misunderstood symptoms I…

When I was diagnosed with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in May 2017, I had no idea how much my life — and my career — would change. At the time, I was fully immersed in my job as a financial analyst, balancing deadlines, meetings, and the typical stresses of…