Kate is the older sister of an adult, post-transplant CFer. She’s authored two books of poetry titled “Reading Darwin” (Poets Corner Press) and “Ditching” (Aldridge Press). As a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness, parenting, and social justice, her work has appeared in publications such as Parents, Romper, Dismantle and The Salve. Her poetry has been featured in such literary magazines as Barrelhouse, Jabberwock Review, Poetry Quarterly, Room, Sky Island Journal and more.
She lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband, Seth, their two kids Samara and Felix, and their two cats Potato Chip and Mischief. When she isn’t busy writing, she is usually reading, gardening, or sewing. Read more of her work at kdelany.journoportfolio.com or katemdelany.medium.com, and follow her on Twitter at @delany_kate and on Instagram at @katemdelany
Though family systems theory isn’t new, it’s new to me. I recently discovered the writings of psychologist Harriet Lerner, and her ideas — family systems theory filtered through a feminist lens — have in many ways been…
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It’s that time of year again — time for the regular reminders that “’tis better to give than to receive.” In a great many ways, I agree with this. There aren’t many material things I need, and nothing beats…
Growing up, an often repeated adage in my family was “don’t have any expectations.” This was often reinforced during or after a health crisis related to cystic fibrosis (CF), in which some people in my family’s extended social…
Recently, I found myself unintentionally listening in on a phone conversation between two family members. They were talking about a sudden death, an emotional subject. But the tone of their conversation was rigid, with information relayed in brisk staccato.
At a recent appointment, a doctor told me something I’ve heard many times before: “You know what you should really consider? Genetic testing!” He was scanning my chart, reading some of the details aloud, such as my father’s diagnosis…
(Spoiler alert: It’s yours.) A writer friend of mine regularly reminds her memoir students: “If you drive your friend to get an abortion, that’s your story, the story of you driving your friend to get an abortion.” The point…
Shortly after my younger sister’s double-lung transplant, I’d watch my mom flip through family photo albums with my kids and think, how could she stand to do that? How could she stand looking at photos of what I’d…
I guess I would say I am a problem solver by nature. When it comes to my loved ones, I am more so. I am protective, perhaps overly so! When I hear loved ones complain about a problem in…
Growing up, my older sister and I were tasked with calling relatives when our younger sister was hospitalized due to a cystic fibrosis exacerbation. We relayed the news while my mother hurried around, packing bags and getting ready for…
I recently got together with a group of friends, and in the middle of our conversation, one confided that she was excited to start therapy soon. Everyone joined in the excitement and congratulated her. Those also in counseling, which…
In the dark days of my sister’s cystic fibrosis-induced respiratory failure and subsequent double-lung transplant, a single moment stands out as a flash of light, and even humor. I was sitting at my sister’s bedside, next to my brother-in-law.
A childhood friend whose husband is undergoing treatment for terminal cancer recently posted something on social media that struck me as smart. She thanked people for their concern, but then noted which kinds of offers of help…
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