When RA Comrbidities Get in the Way
As part of Talk Over RA 2023, I prepared several video sessions on subjects related to living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One of these was a video on RA, comorbidities, and how to balance treatment and coping skills. This video was based on deep research, as well as my own lived experience. Watch the video…
How Do You Cope With RA Burnout?
It might be a term most commonly associated with your 9-to-5 work, but chronic conditions are 24/7, and they can cause burnout, too. In my new column for HealthCentral, I delve into the causes of chronic illness burnout and share tips on how to reduce the impact: “I AM SICK and tired of feeling sick and…
How I Use Swearing to Cope with Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
Coping with rheumatoid arthritis pain takes a toolbox of many different remedies and trips. In addition to the standards, such as medication, heating pads, ice packs, and careful stretching, mine also includes swearing like a sailor. My new essay for CreakyJoints Canada shares my swearing story and tips on how to use curse words to…
How to Set (and Respect) Boundaries Live to Better with Chronic Illness
Boundaries can be an important part of mental health and when you have a chronic illness, they are an essential tool to maintain your physical health. But what are boundaries, exactly, and how can they help you create a better life with chronic illness and pain? In this post, I share some of my insights…
Having A Swish: How Self-Pity Can Help You Cope Better with Chronic Illness
Living with chronic illness is often difficult. There are medical appointments, work, family, keeping the dust bunnies (buffalo?) under control and it goes on and on. Not being able to stop and rest and heal makes it even harder. There’s a lot of pressure to keep going in with a stiff upper lip, not complaining,…
How to Become Friends Again with Your Body After Feeling Betrayed by Rheumatoid Arthritis
For a very long time, I felt that having rheumatoid arthritis meant that my body had betrayed me. But in the moment of profound insight, I realized that my body was not an enemy to resent, but a partner to support. In my new article for CreakyJoints Canada, I write about how I became friends with…
Journaling With Chronic Illness: My Favourite Supplies
Journaling can be a wonderful way to process your feelings around chronic illness, as well as a creative outlet that doesn’t need you to use a lot of energy or movement. Win-win, right? At its core, journaling is about thoughts, a pen and a notebook — or your phone or computer, if handwriting is difficult….
Made with RA: Having RA Means You Are Resilient
When a flare gets you down, you have to get back up. In my new column for HealthCentral, I remind you that you already know how to keep going (and share tips and how-to in case you need a refresher): “RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) can stop you in your tracks, taking over every single part of your…
Give Yourself Credit for Everything You Do With RA
A little self-love goes a long way in seeing your accomplishments for what they are: enough. How to get there? I share tips in my latest column for HealthCentral: “WHEN LOOKING BACK at your day, your week, and maybe even your year, does a list of all the things you couldn’t or didn’t do roll in…
Medical PTSD Still Gives Me Nightmares
I survived a touch-and-go stint in the ICU, but the fear and anxiety I felt continued long after I returned home. I share my experience with medical PTSD in a column for HealthCentral: “EVERY NIGHT FOR the past five years, I’ve had vivid nightmares about my life being in danger. The story varies (natural disasters,…
January 2021 Chronic Journeys with My Guest Toni Bernhard
I was so honoured (and fangirling) when seminal chronic illness author Toni Bernhard agreed to join me on the first Chronic Journeys of the year! We talk about Toni’s new pocket version of How to Be Sick, the magic of the three breaths technique, and other ways to make life with chronic illness just a…
How to Make RA Treatment Decisions With Less Stress
Side-effect risks can be downright terrifying when you’re trying new rheumatoid arthritis therapies. Deeeep breath! In this HealthCentral column, I share how I keep my balance: “The ads make it look easy—you can create a wonderful life of walking on the beach with your beloved and a golden retriever by simply treating your rheumatoid arthritis…