R.I.P. My Twenties
I'm starting a great new decade of my life!
My teenage years and 20s were dominated by health issues, pain, and suffering. However, I'm beginning my 30s with a strong buzzing of potential, stable health, and good support systems!
Nine Years
It's been nine years.
Nine years ago, I made the decision to try to have a benign pineal lesion removed.
Chronic SOS - January 2, 2025
Farewell 2024!
It was a whirlwind of a year:
New Year's Resolutions
As cheesy as it sounds: I like to make New Year's resolutions. I've done it for a while as a tool to reach my goals I do recommend doing at least a few. I personally like to split them into categories and include a little bit of the smaller goals that would get me to the bigger goal.
Chronic SOS - December 19, 2024
Christmas is somehow just 6 days away! Hopefully you all have a great plan for the holidays: visiting family, visiting friends, or just a nice meal and a festive movie!
Courtesy of Emeryl Redwine, here are some free printable marine biology themed Christmas cards:
Find your passions (updated)
That's one reason why it's so important to find your passions in life and embrace them. Finding a passion can create a ladder out of a bad situation or state of mind, lead you to finding community, allow you to express your full range of emotions in a cathartic way, and so much more.
Chronic SOS - December 13, 2024
How is it already December?!
It's been a whirlwind of a year! It's hard to imagine that it's almost over already!
Personally, I celebrate Christmas, so I'll share some Christmas themed SOS - but first!
An exciting update!
Exciting update!
Find your passions
That's one reason why it's so important to find your passions in life and embrace them. Finding a passion can create a ladder out of a bad situation or state of mind, lead you to finding community, allow you to express your full range of emotions in a cathartic way, and so much more.
Claw Toe
A lot of neurological injuries cause issues with the muscles. The nerves get damaged and often leads to a constant, involuntary flexion. I celebrated Halloween this year with a bone fusion surgery to correct this (painful) deformity.
Dr. M
After the marathon of infections had begun, the nurse practitioner PCP I had wanted me to switch to an internal medicine doctor. She did it in a strange way - seeming to be upset that I went around my urologist for a genetic test to find what was actually wrong - which was unusual for her. But, I thought it could be helpful and started the search.
Loud by Drew Afualo
Throughout the book, I felt like I was just another one of her friends or a sister. She balanced her personal experiences with patriarchal norms, like facing a male-dominated sportscasting industry, with examinations of their origins.
Kick At Darkness
You are not alone.
Though at some times, it may feel like it. That feeling is lying to you.
There are always people that are here for you - there are actually a lot and a big community that's ready to rally for you.
Chronic SOS - November 21, 2024
It's been a helluva year! We're officially in the full holiday season swing now! But I'll spare you any more holiday content - it's bountiful and a hard time for many.
So instead, how about I share my mental health metal playlist again and we look at some memes?
The Promise
TW: weight gain/loss, self harm, body image, death
When I was a teenager, I struggled with both mental and physical health. Physical health struggles were isolating at times - especially when I had to miss out on an event and then hear everyone at school talk about the event. I had severe anxiety and was diagnosed with OCD and depression in middle school.
Inspirational
Most disabled and chronically ill people wince at the word, “inspiration(al)”. It seems harmless initially, but the toxic positive people and a specific breed of condescending ableists have made it anything but harmless.
Dating is hard.
Dating is hard.
That's true for everyone, but there's an extra layer of difficulty when you're a disabled woman and dating.
“You're just fat”
TW: weight, fatphobia
Moving through the world as a disabled woman can be monotonous: have you tried to diet? What about exercising?
Time to talk about my body
It's time to talk about my body
Palliative Care
Palliative care focuses on easing symptoms like pain and nausea. They also can provide you and your family with extra support, including emotional and spiritual support if you're struggling with the mental toll of everything. Many providers are able to make home or telehealth to cut down on the amount of (often difficult) trips to a clinic or hospital. A relatives's provider will go to their house to collect samples for the lab or take simple x-rays.