I can cope with most things about my disability. I'm not saying it's easy, it's far from easy. I have though, over the years, developed a toolkit of chronic disease management strategies which I've written about previously. These help me greatly on a daily basis: My Chronic Disease Management PlanBody Behaving Badly) My pain is … Continue reading Sleepless Night Strategies
I love life's little challenges. I love problem solving and turning obstacles into opportunities. I love putting a positive spin on what would otherwise be a very negative situation. I've always done this, both in my personal and my working life. So, chronic disease really wasn't going to change my approach to finding a way … Continue reading The Non Negotiable Chronic Illness Rule
This week on my forum Medical Musings with Friends , I posted a segment called "Any Questions?" I wanted to invite my forum members to ask me anything about my life, my disease, my writing etc. It was an open book kind of segment. The recurring question, or theme to the questions, was; "how do … Continue reading Any Questions?
When we have chronic illness, our minds are quickly programmed to think about all the things we can no longer do. Doctors, allied health professionals, family and friends, can easily feed us messages which concur with our “I can’t do it” mindset. Don’t get me wrong, there is lots we can’t do when living with … Continue reading “You Sound And Look So Well!!”
No matter what is going on in my life there is always a constant certainty.... A cup of tea fixes everything! There is something strangely calming about putting on the kettle, taking out a pretty china cup or mug, and anticipating sitting in a comfy chair, slowly sipping this hot delight. It may be coffee, … Continue reading A Cup Of Tea Fixes Everything
It’s no secret I love writing. Throughout my career the thing I loved the most was communication, both written and verbal. To me communication is about connecting, making connections, renewing connections, allowing people into my life. It's certainly been my goal with blogging and writing articles, for a number of publications, including The Mighty. My … Continue reading Dear Diary…..
One thing chronic illness guarantees is uncertainty. One thing a global pandemic, in the form of COVID-19, guarantees is uncertainty. No matter how much we might like to think we have things under control, our bodies, diseases, unexpected life events, loss of loved ones, always find a way of creating times of chaos, confusion, fear … Continue reading Facing An Uncertain New Year
I have a “Now or Never” philopsophy to life that sometimes gets me into trouble. Well, let’s face it….always gets me into trouble! Living with a physical progressive disability involves a lot of pain, lack of mobility and extreme fatigue every day. This kind of disease is constant. It doesn’t ebb and flow with flares. … Continue reading My Latest Podcast….A Pushing And Pacing Approach With Chronic Disability
I don’t generally suffer from anxiety. It doesn’t mean I don’t get stressed. Of course I do. We all do. My overall health situation rarely stresses me. I accept it is what it is, and I’m continually adjusting my life to accomodate it. Pain however, when it's at unrelenting levels day after day, does cause … Continue reading Dancing To The Beat Of My “Chronic Illness” Drum
Pain can't just be ignored. Disease can't just be ignored. People with disease and pain can't just be forgotten. I'm not alone in suffering horrific daily pain. So many in society struggle every day. Some manage to work or interact with the wider community in some way. Others like me, live a permanently reclusive life … Continue reading A Peek Through My Window Of Pain
