Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Chronic Pain Conditions
Help and Encouragement for the Journey
The First Rheumatology Visit – What to Expect
If you’re like most chronic illness folks, you’ve been waiting quite a while to get in to see a Rheumatologist for the first time. The
How to Keep a Symptoms Log
Staying ahead of our chronic pain symptoms requires that we be engaged in our symptoms every day. Knowing when pain levels spike or when fatigue
It’s Been 10 Years
10 Lessons I’ve learned in 10 years of rheumatoid disease. Life was turned upside down but there’s still joy along the way.
Physician Burnout is Our Problem, too
Physician burnout is becoming a huge problem. We are losing great physicians, but we can help. Here are 10 steps we can take to encourage our physicians.
Health Updates – Oct 2019
It’s been a while since I’ve shared updates. See how 2019 has been – what a year, what a ride….
My First Guest Post is UP!
My first guest post is live! What a fun experience to write a guest post for my new friend, Emily Adams on her travel site, The Planking Traveler.
Why Is It Taking So Long?
New to the chronic illness journey and waiting forEVER for that first visit? Here are some tips for waiting well in the meantime.
The Undercurrent of Chronic ILLness
Often overlooked, the admin side of sick leaves us tired, frustrated, and even a bit defeated. Here are some things to avoid on the admin side of chronic illness.
Lessons from Our First 25 Years
25 years – thank You, Lord! The Lord has been good to us! What a full year it’s been. We are grateful, amazed by His
RA Health Update – June 6, 2018
Today is Wednesday, June 6, 2018, and it’s been two absolutely beautiful days here in East TN! Clear skies, a little breezy in the evening…
Health Update – Let the Infusions Begin!
After a while, I guess those things don’t surprise me anymore, and yet, there always seems to be a surprise or two in it. This was the case yesterday.
5 Special Skills Every Chrony Must Develop
A chronic journey sort of forces our hand to learn new skills and new ways of doing things. Here’s a slightly different take on 5 skills every Chrony must develop.
Being a Good Friend to Someone Who’s Hurting
Many years ago, I got an unfortunate call that one of the students in our church youth group had died unexpectedly. The pastor asked if
April is Sjogren’s Awareness Month
There are numerous awareness months and for April, the emphasis is on Sjogren’s Syndrome. After 8 years of living with rheumatoid disease and a few
Waiting Well: 5 Secrets to Enduring a Long Diagnosis Process
As difficult as daily life with chronic illness and autoimmunes can be, perhaps the most difficult part of the journey is figuring out what the
No Trial, No Trust
My Fellow CDPs, there is often no other plea more gut-wrenching, more real during seasons of suffering than, “Please Lord, please… if You would, please
The First Rheumatology Visit – What to Expect
The First Rheumatology Visit – What to Expect If you’re like most RA and auto-immune patients, you’ve been waiting a while to get in to
The Real Face of RA and Sjogrens
The Real Face of RA and Sjogren’s Well, friends… I said from the beginning of this blogging journey that I would keep things real.
This One Phrase Turned My Day Planner Upside-Down
So as I do every year, I pulled out my new day-planner this week (from InkWELL Press, it’s amazing!) and got out my pens… about 15
Christmas Piano Fun
Christmas Piano Fun! For many years, our family has enjoyed seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra every year for Christmas. It kicks off our holiday season and gets
Holiday Hacks Part 2 : Eat Healthy, Tips for Holiday Eating
Holiday Hacks, Part 2: Eat Well We’re studying about staying well this holiday season, and our first session was “BE well.” Next up is “EAT well.”
RA Fatigue: Tips to Slay the Beast
RA Fatigue: Tips to Slay the Beast It’s overwhelming. It will crush you. It’s hard to explain. Some days you cannot win over this monster.
Healthy Holidays – 3 Lists for RA and Chronic Illness
Healthy Holidays – 3 Lists for RA and Chronic Illness Staying healthy through the holiday season can be a challenge for anyone! The busy-ness…the people…
#thischroniclife Update Nov 2017
Well . . . several have asked, and I promised to keep everyone updated, so here’s a quick update on the health journey. Thanks to everyone
Dance it out!
Dance it out! “But I feel better when I’m dancin’… oooh, yeah… better when I’m dancin’… ohhh-ohhh….” <insert singing voice> It seems counter-intuitive, but the stiffness
My Invisible Monday
Oh my, 15 of the last 36 hours in a car. Surely I will die from this and the 2nd coming will be today and
Seize the Opportunity
Well, here we go… activity hangover day. <bleh> Can I get an “Amen” ?? Some of you have read about the insurance woes and that
Living with Chronic: 12 Tips for Enjoying the Summer
Summer just got started! Does the summer present opportunities for fun that can be challenging? You bet it does. But there’s no reason to
Loneliness, the Unexpected Companion of Chronic
Loneliness. This one slipped up on me. I didn’t see it coming. The sting of being on rest, taking it easy and officially out
The 5 Worst Things People Say to Me about RA
The 5 Worst Things People Say to Me about RA You guys have been there. Hearing the same comments over and over. Some you like,
5 Schedule Tips for RA and other chronics
5 Schedule Tips for RA and other chronics Once chronic descends upon your life, the word “pace” has a very different meaning. We used to
Why do this?
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found your way to the new ChronicPraise community and decided to check it out. Thank you! Maybe
The Chronic Journey… another step
The Chronic Journey… another step They told me blogging and writing and staying on top of it would be hard. Months like the past one
Exercise and RA: Move it, Move it
Exercise and Rheumatoid – move it, move it! Okay, Rheumies and AI’s… We know that exercise is good for us! Thirty minutes on the heat
Just Start… Chapter 2 of The Chronic Life
The journey continues…. Chapter 2…. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to write. Honestly, I’m just tired. So, so tired. Can anyone relate
Chronic Pitfall: Me-first-ness
Chronic will trick us to a place of self-first-ness. We get baited to go there all the time. I just hate it. It’s hard to
A start to 2017: “Find your happy. Then go there. Often.”
Find your happy place. Then go there – often.
Newly Diagnosed? 5 Must-Do’s for rheumatoid and other chronics
Newly diagnosed? Wondering what to do? Here are 5 must-do’s for those starting the journey. Know your disease Once the shock of first hearing
6 Trusted Healthcare Sites for Chronic Illness
One of the things that embattles all CDPs is the temptation to spend hours all over the internet reading every single story that populates page
Predictably Unpredictable: Schedule Tips for the CDP
Scheduling tips for the chronic disease person (CDP) The digital calendar has got to be one of the greatest inventions of current times. No joke….
Let’s Get Started! 3 Things I Learned Early On
“It keeps me alive – at least 37% of the time. Let me state that again… over one-third of my waking hours, I’m kept alive
