May 14th, 2012
Dealing with the aches and pains from living with a chronic illness is overwhelming for anyone. I’ve been dealing with it every day since my daughter was in elementary school. Considering that she’s now a high school senior it’s a big deal. My illness has affected our quality of life in many ways. I’m always looking for ways to help with things, especially the swelling.
It has stopped me from enjoying the simplest things in life like going to a school function or being able to walk out the front door when a family out was scheduled. I’m always looking for a way to help deal with everything. I’ve checked out a several drinks with a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Drinking cactus juice is an option for me since it helps with cleansing toxins from the body. Nopalea is a cactus juice that’s been around for twelve years by people for helping with illness issues. 12 million bottles have been sold to help with the pain from inflammation from daily aches and pains. The goal of the company has been to help people feel healthier. Until reading more about the cactus juice I wouldn’t have considered drinking juice from the cactus.
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February 25th, 2012
Taking medications is a part of the day to day life of living with a chronic illness. I’m pretty bad about taking my pills at the same time every day since I don’t wear a wristwatch like I used to as a teenager. I couldn’t use the excuse that I forgot the time since my mom always made sure I was wearing my wristwatch every day. She didn’t want to give me an excuse for not being home for dinner on time, even if she was hanging out a load of laundry when I got home instead of hanging clothes out on the clothesline attached to two different trees in our backyard. The line ran from one side of the backyard to the other. I really need to invest in a good wristwatch so I’ll take my medications the same time each day like the Citizen Eco drive watches with beautiful faces. I would need a watch with a large face since my eyes are not the same as they were in my teen years. I really love the multicolored watches with an adjustable strap for easy adjustment when I’m swollen from the prednisone inflammation, which happens on a regular basis. It would be great to find one with a purple awareness ribbon on the face.
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January 25th, 2012
A new pair of eyeglasses is a perfect way to feel special about yourself especially when you’re feeling down and out. It’s a perfect icemaker for anyone who has a hard time starting conversation with strangers. If I was purchasing a pair I’d pick a pair with a little bit of etching on the sides since I don’t like to draw too much attention to myself, especially when I’m not feeling very well during a lupus or fibromyagia flare.
It is one way to feel good about myself when I’m feeling down and out with the pain and fatigue of living with lupus and chronic pain. A little color goes a long way to make you feel better on a bad day. I’d choose a pair that has a little color without overdoing it.
I would wear my new glasses with my crocheted Valentine’s Day hat I’m making right now. Zenni Optical has a pair for only $9.95 that includes anti-scratch coating, UV protection, a case, and cleaning cloth. I really like the glasses with a roses etching on both sides. I could buy a pair of glasses for every month for less than I paid for one pair at retail optical.
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September 6th, 2011
This week’s spotlight on chronic illness survivor is Michelle of Life in the Autoimmune Lane.
She blogs about the rollercoaster she’s lived on while trying to find a diagnosis. Michelle has a section of her blog called Happy Snaps. On Happy Snaps she focuses on her love of photography.
I love her tagline “Move over! I wanna change lanes…” It’s exactly how I feel dealing with my own chronic illnesses….
Until Next Week
Do you know of a blogger that deserves spotlighting? Leave a comment…. Thanks for Visiting….
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August 25th, 2011
New mothers have a lot more questions than experienced mothers. Setting up a support system is important especially for someone with a chronic illness. Being covered by nib health insurance is helpful. Find a trusted friend or relative is helpful. Asking the person to stay with you for a few days is helpful. One of the biggest fears when living with a chronic illness is passing it on to your child. Asking your doctor questions about the illness may give you some peace of mind. Everyone’s illness is different so there’s no way to predict the severity of the illness. Not all illnesses are passed along so there is a chance that your child will be health all of their life. Speaking to a specialist would have more understanding of genetics. Dr Ginni has a lot of resources online.
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August 16th, 2011
I’m starting a weekly spotlight of a Chronic Illness Blogger.
This week’s Chronic Illness Blogger spotlight is I Fit Can’t My Jeans!!!!!!. Simmi blogs about living with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Lupus Star Foundation
Last year, Simmi started a nonprofit foundation Lupus Star Foundation to support lupus survivors and their families.
Simmi Thanks for all your great blogging and supporting Lupus….
Come back next week to see who the Chronic Illness Blogger is for Next Week
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August 5th, 2011
Exercise and chronic illness are a lot like trying to mix oil and vinegar. Unlike oil and vinegar exercising is possible with chronic illness. Yes, it hurts, but in order to avoid more illnesses from inactivity, you need to move around some. Simple stretches in the morning to get your muscles and joints woke up are better than nothing.
I’ve started walking short distances hoping to reduce my pain level. Right now, I cannot say that it’s something that’s reduced my pain level, but it’s something I really enjoy. My daughter and I take our walk with the dogs and nothing is ever the same. Even when it’s hot outside I still try to exercise, but some days are too hot to even walk out the front door. It’s one way to help reduce the isolation that goes with living with a chronic illness.
During the winter months I’ve got to find a way to exercise Walking on a neighbor’s
treadmills is an option to keep me moving in the winter and on hot summer days. Yes, walking is possible during the winter months, but the cold weather and chronic pain don’t mix just like oil and vinegar. Finding alternative exercising plans will help me stay health year round.
Does exercise help reduce your pain?
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August 5th, 2011
By Chronic Chick
Do you feel like you’re on stage while living with your chronic illness? I feel that way a lot because people don’t understand that my strength and abilities go up and down hourly. One day I may be able to clean the house and the next day I’m lucky to be able to get out of bed. It plain sucks, but it’s my life. I’ve lived with it nearly a decade so it has become the norm for me.
Since I’ve lived with lupus and fibromyalgia some days I’m in my wheelchair and other days I’m able to walk around. I used to feel very subconscious knowing what people were saying and thinking about me. I heard- I was faking how much pain I was in or she doesn’t look sick, or it cannot be that bad. I could go on about the snide remarks.
All of these nasty comments made me feel like I needed to act a certain way. And it stinks how other people’s thoughts make you feel like you have to act a certain way.
Finally, I’ve got to that point that the naysayers can say whatever they want to say. I am going to be myself and I am going to be myself. Walk a mile in my footsteps then tell me how I feel living with chronic pain.
Do you feel like you have to meet people’s expectations or feel like you’re on stage?
photo credit: Clarita
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June 30th, 2011
Would you ever write a book about your illness? It’s something I’ve been contemplating for a while. I don’t really know where to start. Does anyone want to listen to the struggles of living with a chronic illness? The reason I started this blog is to spread awareness of life living with lupus and fibromyalgia, but who would read about my many ups and downs of living with this illness. How would I make it a worthwhile read? A lot of questions go through my mind about writing about my illness. I don’t want to write something that makes people think poor woman living with a chronic illness. Yeah, that was how I thought to start, but I’ve learned to deal with it.
Would you consider reading or writing about living with a chronic illness and its many ups and downs?
Would you ever write a book about your illness? It’s something I’ve been contemplating for a while. I don’t really know where to start. Does anyone want to listen to the struggles of living with a chronic illness? The reason I started this blog is to spread awareness of life living with lupus and fibromyalgia, but who would read about my many ups and downs of living with this illness. How would I make it a worthwhile read? A lot of questions go through my mind about writing about my illness. I don’t want to write something that makes people think poor woman living with a chronic illness. Yeah, that was how I thought to start, but I’ve learned to deal with it.
Would you consider reading or writing about living with a chronic illness and its many ups and downs?
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June 21st, 2011
“God Grant Me The Serenity to Accept the Things I cannot change
And change the things I can.”
~~~~~~AMEN~~~~~~~
” By Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr”
One thing I cannot change is my illness, but I can change how I react to my illness. For the last two weeks, I’ve been in a lot of bad pain everyday. It’s been pretty unbearable at times. I’ve found strength in the serenity prayer.
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