Staying Alive With Scleroderma — Amy Gietzen

Life with scleroderma can be a struggle. Sometimes, when the pain seeps into my bones and fatigue keeps me in bed for hours, the battle seems insurmountable. But even on those difficult days,…

I’m a lot of work, even on a good day. Living with scleroderma requires me to spend a lot of time and energy on maintaining my health. Because of this, I often wonder…

“Wow, you were just discharged from the hospital? You look healthy to me.” I can’t remember a time when words have hurt me more. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,…

Humans have known war almost since humans existed. Thousands of civilizations and religious evangelists have started wars to conquer their opponents and live to tell the tales. The difficult journey of living with…

As 2022 comes to an end, I’m reflecting on the year and trying to look forward to all 2023 might offer. Many adults are probably excited to ring in the new year in style…

The holiday season is often a happy time. Giving gifts, spending time with family, and celebrating with food and conversation bring joy to many people. But for me, the holidays bring longing and envy.

Many people have come and gone in the years I’ve been battling scleroderma. However, the friends and family members who stuck with me have taught me some valuable lessons about relationships, vulnerability, and…

It’s​ ​beginning​ ​to​ ​look​ ​an​ ​awful lot like the holidays!​ ​Everywhere​ ​I​ ​go​ ​I​ ​see ​festive decor and signs for holiday sales.​ ​I ​guess​ ​I​ ​shouldn’t​ ​be​ ​surprised​ ​to hear​ ​”Jingle​ ​Bells” ​and​ ​”White​…

The word “mortality” has pingponged around my brain from the moment I was introduced to the word “scleroderma.” I’ve dealt with the physical and emotional burdens of pain, depression, disabilities, and loss for…

For some scleroderma patients, loss of sleep and fatigue are significant issues. Trying to manage a barrage of symptoms while exhausted is a tiring game of cat and mouse. Fortunately, until recently,…

“I do not want my picture taken while I’m in my wheelchair, please!” These were the first words out of my mouth at my local Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma walk in 2017.

Chronic stress can lead to many physical and emotional issues, such as anxiety, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and heart attacks. For many people with autoimmune diseases, stress causes a ton of complications…