Pain. We can’t always explain why our bodies, hearts, or minds hurt. Sometimes we can’t control the hurt… even when that hurt becomes debilitating. And there are legitimate circumstances where there seems to be no end to it. There are legitimate reasons that you can’t control. You know that feeling where your body won’t cooperate. That debilitating feeling where you
This post about the day I chose not to kill myself was a difficult one to write, a difficult one to publish, and may be difficult for you to read. Today is one of those days. It’s the worst part about being a disabled veteran. The day you receive that phone call, email, or text message. The day you hear
5 years ago today I spent the entire day and evening in the ER at a veterans hospital. My new anti-seizure meds put me in the hospital with a failing liver and pancreatitis. THAT day was a major turning point for me. That was the day my neurologist berated me in the ER for bothering to go in because there
Chronic illnesses affect us in more ways than one. It’s not just your nervous system. It’s not just your cardiovascular system. It’s not just your muscles or digestive tract. Chronic illness affects your mind. It damages how you view yourself. It damages how you relate to others. It causes angst just being in public, especially crowds. With our recent move,
If there was one phrase that I most often heard during my twenties, it would be: “but you don’t look sick.” To anyone with unexplained, undiagnosed, autoimmune or “hidden” health problems, this phrase is in and of itself cringe-worthy. No, I didn’t look sick. Not until my face went pale while my eyes rolled in the back of my head
The holiday season is a magical time full of fantasy movies, decorated houses and trees, lit menorahs, music, dancing, delicious holiday foods, celebrations, and gifts. With so much going on, it’s no wonder that the holiday season inspires strong emotions. Sometimes they are positive, full of love and happiness. Sometimes they are not so positive. Sometimes the family dynamic shifts,
Grease, grime, dirt, muck. If there is one thing we all have in common, it’s the need to clean the spaces we live, work, and play in. There is a mystery, though, of what ingredients are actually used to make our cleaning solvents. Some of these ingredients are caustic. Some are carcinogenic. Some are neurotoxic. Most are unidentifiable because companies
I write a lot about health related topics because that’s often what is on my mind, and I love sharing info. I’m convinced as long as the information I have is shared and helps someone, then it’s not useless. Recently my family gave up cable, and in a compromise purchased Amazon’s Fire TV. While flipping around on there, I noticed a