I had the blessing of a childhood tightly intertwined with nature. Instead of days spent with a television babysitter or smartphone appendage, I was nearly always outdoors. Rain, shine, or storm I was outside with only my imagination, friends, and ingenuity. The reason I’m highlighting my relationship with growing up in a nature-filled life, is … Continue reading Eddie would go
So many sorrys
We’ve been apologizing for as long as I can remember. Saying sorry to anyone who happens to see you on a hard day. Cowering to the people who consider our existence an inconvenience. Trying to soothe the awkwardness of those around us when we are flaring. From the first time I was brought into the … Continue reading So many sorrys
Lady like me
The complexities of being a biological female dealing with chronic pain and illness are innumerable. This isn’t to say that other gender identities don’t struggle with similar issues. Everyone’s struggle is real. There are no flat roads in any of our health journeys. These are just some of the particular areas where women face constant … Continue reading Lady like me
Walk this way
Much of Europe has notoriously tiny roads. The age of their infrastructure means that cobblestones, tight alleyways, and unleveled sidewalks are commonplace. The same can be said for many other parts of the world. Things are even less user-friendly in rural and underfunded communities. Bumpy dirt paths, potholes the size of small planets, and worn … Continue reading Walk this way
Keep up!
It is one of the toughest times of the year for many people… the holidays. Throw a little 2020 chaos into the mix. Add a dash of pandemic. Twist in economic collapse. There’s nothing peaceful and easy about this ending. Currently, I live in America. This is the season (pretty much October through January) of … Continue reading Keep up!
Failed fluffy friend
I’m an animal person. I’ve been around pets and wild animals for most of my life. I know how to care for and interact with them. It’s all very natural for me. That being said, I haven’t had my own critter for a very long time. With a busy life, moving around, and travelling frequently, … Continue reading Failed fluffy friend
Not stuck, forward
This one is about our mental health. Last year I began my one-week rule. I give myself one week to be a mess after I experience heartache. To fall to pieces, eat crappy food, sob into the night, and obsess over the issue. I started this not to be hard on myself or deny my … Continue reading Not stuck, forward
Flying with a broken wing
Sometimes my pain is all consuming and other times it plays in the background like a bad song that won’t end. When a new issue pops up, I straddle two worlds. The first is my hour-to-hour existence. The second is my larger picture. It’s a balance between deciding what I need to do to make … Continue reading Flying with a broken wing
I’m just a girl – Diagnosing part 5 (Small Fiber Autonomic Neuropathy)
Numbness on the outside of my right leg. That was the starting point for my entire Small Fiber Autonomic Neuropathy journey. It’s a long one. Hold onto your hats and cozy up with a cup of tea. Here we go: I had recently come back to the United States after working overseas for a few … Continue reading I’m just a girl – Diagnosing part 5 (Small Fiber Autonomic Neuropathy)
Skimming pills
Most chronic illness and pain sufferers take medications. We require synthetic and natural interventions to live our lives. Certain meds make things significantly better, others keep us at maintenance levels, and some have the very heavy burden of keeping us alive. Because of this dependency, our relationships with medical providers and pharmacists are of the … Continue reading Skimming pills
