Since becoming chronically unwell five years ago with systemic scleroderma, I had to quit my job. As my husband and friends work during the week, I spend more and more time by myself. This means I have been forced into a situation that…
Aging is a beautiful journey that is viewed differently in every culture. Some cultures embrace the elderly and look up to them for knowledge and wisdom. Others may place their family in a nursing home because they don’t have the time to attend to them. An uncomfortable feeling lurks…
Being chronically unwell wears me down. I find that it is hard work to get through so many complications on most days. I am not referring only to pain and fatigue, but also to myriad other challenges including anxiety, boredom, and disappointment.
The very first step in the digestion process begins in the mouth. For someone with scleroderma, simply chewing food can be exhausting. Different disease factors affect one’s dental hygiene, but various steps can be taken to try to maintain a good environment within the oral cavity. Over 20 percent…
In an autoimmune disease, the body’s natural defense system, the immune system, malfunctions or “trips out,” resulting in the body attacking itself. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association lists over 100 different currently identified autoimmune diseases. With the rare…
I have recently become convinced that there is a specific event, kind of a “rite of passage,” that occurs for many chronically unwell people somewhere on their patient journey. I like to call it “The Great Transition.” It is the point when you realize…
My guess is that most chronically unwell patients experience some level of anxiety on a regular basis. After all, our minds are constantly preoccupied with matters involving serious health issues, which can consequently lead to thoughts about our longevity. Anxiety can be exacerbated or caused…
Spring cleaning is a good method to get rid of old clothes, memorabilia, and things that serve no purpose. Getting rid of old stuff can leave a person feeling less cluttered and mentally cleansed. Releasing the past can spark clarity and peace. When dealing with chronic illness,…
“Your skin cancer has cleared.” 2018 started with a scleroderma-related, potentially life-threatening additional health challenge. A Bowen’s skin patch presented itself on my left knee. Last summer, I recognized the symptoms and knowing that the medication Efudix cream had…
There are chances taken in life that can feel like pulling a lever on a slot machine. The outcome relies on a blind leap of faith, with fingers crossed for the best result. The same can be said of choosing a treatment plan for the course of your…
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