How Do You Live Well with Rheumatoid Arthritis when it has a Mortality Risk?
RA has a mortality risk. When it hit the news that Glenn Frey of The Eagles had died from complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other conditions, it was an uncomfortable reminder that this disease with which we live doesn’t just make life pretty challenging, but that it can actually kill us. How do you…
Five Things I Love about Being a Writer
I spent this past weekend noodling around with words and a great time. So I thought I’d wax rhapsodic about five things that I love being a writer. Living the dream I’ve wanted to be a writer since I knew what one was. After taking a sidetracked into higher education and a “real” day job…
Techo Calendar: Dreamy Life Book
I have a teensy obsession with office supplies. Staples is my Nirvana — I go there when I’m stressed out and wander the aisles looking at all the wonderful items, all that potential for creating order out of chaos. Folders, files, envelopes, pens, highlighters. And then I arrive at the aisle that contains calendars and…
Weight Gain and Biologics: The Battle No One Talks About
Updated May 20, 2021 Several medications for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can lead to weight changes. Steroids is well-known for it, but if you mention Biologics and weight gain, many rheumatologists will tell you there isn’t a link. Many people in the community disagree, saying their lived experience says different and I’m one of them. I…
Virtual Food Adventures for People with Food Allergies
I spent over 30 years of my life being nauseated. It arrived along with my juvenile arthritis, and stayed put until 10 years ago when I started Biologics. One of the best and incompletely unexpected add-ons to my disease being controlled is a humongous reduction in nausea. An unfortunate and unexpected (likely coincidental?) increase in…
Ring Splints for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Updated April 23, 2024 “Why don’t you try The Arthritis Society?” Do you remember my experience with a youthful OT when I tried to get splints for some finger deformities? If not, you may want to go read In Which I See an OT and Come up against a Stereotype first. I’ll wait with…
Lozenge-Infused Thoughts on the Year that Was
I had a plan. It was a good plan. I was going to take some time off and as we came closer to the 31st, I’d write a thoughtful post about the past year. There was no reason whatsoever that this plan shouldn’t come to fruition. Except for Nemesis, of course. Who, I am quite…
Cherry Jelly and Other Christmas Disasters
It all started with the cherries. Photo by Janne Andersen We should have known this was an omen. Instead, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to say “you f*cked up again, mom,” laugh, and move on. Until it was time to make the ris a la mande. Which is not supposed to be mushy,…
#ChronicChristmas Day 25: Enjoy
It’s here. By the time you read this, you’ve probably done the big rip (especially if you have kids) (or you still retain the childlike wonder about pressies). I’m all about the latter. Maybe even the childlike wonder about the magic of this particular holiday. It’s what gets you through a busy, emotional day. Connecting…
#ChronicChristmas Day 24: Julehygge or Welcoming the Spirit of Christmas
Today, my family is celebrating Juleaften. Celebrating what….? Juleaften. Or Christmas Eve in Danish. Where I come from, the grand celebration happens tonight with a special dinner — a.k.a. the Best Meal of the Year — and exchanging presents. And it means that today is about disconnecting and decompressing and let the julehygge take over….
#ChronicChristmas Day 23: Sing
When is the last time you sang? I mean, really belted one out, disappearing into the music and the feeling, and not caring about the dogs howling in the neighbourhood, and the cracks appearing in your glasses? OK, so maybe that last part doesn’t happen to everyone. Did I ever mention that my sister has…
#ChronicChristmas Day 22: Good Enough
There are only a few days left to finish it all — how much is left on your list? Unless you are one of those incredibly organized people who have every bow tied, and every piece of tinsel polished before Labor Day, chances are you are near hysterics by now. So I’m going to suggest…