Less answers and more frustration This post is part of my ongoing series chronicling my quest to find some, even if only temporary, relief from abdominal adhesions. Click here to start from the beginning Previous post < This week was a little better than last week. Not pain wise, but on an emotional level. IContinue reading “Less answers and more frustration”
Tag Archives: invisible disabilities
What has happened to our healthcare system?
When did it become acceptable to not help patients? When did drugging them become the go-to plan? When did doctors start giving up on patients just because their condition is not easy or textbook? Why aren’t they willing to give my internal organs a break? Why are they willing to allow my condition to shortenContinue reading “What has happened to our healthcare system?”
Mobility aids, everybody uses them.
Accepting that I needed to use a mobility aid meant acknowledging and accepting my disability. Here’s why I had nothing to be ashamed of!
Small bowel test, otherwise known as Poopoopalooza
Even though I have a history of abdominal adhesions and am experiencing the same symptoms as before, my surgeons must rule out all digestive issues AGAIN before they will agree to surgery. On one hand, I understand their reasoning. But considering this isn’t my first rodeo, I feel it is a waste of time and money for myContinue reading “Small bowel test, otherwise known as Poopoopalooza”
Pain Acclimation and Relief Relativity
You know the phrase “It’s all relative”? Well, that is how I explain my ever-changing tolerance to higher pain levels and how my definition of relief continues to change. Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my Disney obsession if you use these links to make a purchase.Continue reading “Pain Acclimation and Relief Relativity”
My Review of Mo’s Dream Cream and Pain Stick
I was skeptical about trying out Mo’s Dream Cream and Pain Stick. While I have tried many natural products in the past that provided little or no relief. I have had allergic reactions to many as well. In this review, I share my experience with this product. This post is sponsored by Mo’s Dream Cream.Continue reading “My Review of Mo’s Dream Cream and Pain Stick”
Renting a Wheelchair From Disneyland Versus an Outside Vendor
There is much to think about when choosing whether to rent a wheelchair from Disneyland or an outside vendor. For guests that don’t use a wheelchair on a regular basis yet need one for extended outings, choosing where to rent a wheelchair can be confusing. To help you decide, I compiled this list of prosContinue reading “Renting a Wheelchair From Disneyland Versus an Outside Vendor”
Facing Setbacks with a Positive Attitude
2016 has not been the kindest to me in regard to my physical pain. I started the year with a severe cluster flare (several conditions flaring severely simultaneously). I spent the first two and a half months with all or some of my conditions continuously flaring at some level. I finally caught a break aContinue reading “Facing Setbacks with a Positive Attitude”
Berenice has Disney Ability!
This week I would like to introduce you to one of my readers/followers, Berenice R. from El Monte, California, and I am excited to share her experience with you. First, let me tell you a little about Berenice. She is 32 years old, lives with multiple health issues, and is co-owner of Two Sisters Plan. Continue reading “Berenice has Disney Ability!”
Realistic Expectations
When making plans it is important to keep our conditions and limitations in mind at all times. It took me close to 10 years to accept my conditions and to begin planning my daily life around them and a few more years until I began planning outings and vacations with them in mind. Here are a few tips to help you plan your next getaway:
Vacation Downtime
In the past, I was on the go from the moment I left home to go on vacation until the moment I arrived home. After chronic illnesses entered my life, I began scheduling downtime prior to and following my trips. However, this was not enough after my condition progressed. In the past year, I haveContinue reading “Vacation Downtime”
Living multiple lives.
Originally this post was going to be called “Living a double life,” but then I realized that I don’t just lead two lives; I live multiple lives. What I mean by this is that my life, when going through a flare, is totally different than when my Psoriatic Arthritis is in remission, and my remissionContinue reading “Living multiple lives.”
Starting the New Year a little later than I had planned
Happy New Year? What? Is everyone done celebrating the New Year? Unlike everyone who celebrated the New Year on the first of January, I wasn’t physically or mentally up for celebrating it until last weekend. Just before Christmas, my psoriatic arthritis started coming out of remission. At the same time, a few of my otherContinue reading “Starting the New Year a little later than I had planned”
Spoonies are like snowflakes, each has a different story to tell
Recently a fellow spoonie posed a question online. She asked if she should share the details of her struggle because some people have rudely questioned her disability. They say that she is just fishing for attention. Anyone who suffers from chronic conditions like Fibromyalgia, Psoriatic Arthritis, Lupus, Lymes, MS, Endometriosis, etc.… knows that the struggleContinue reading “Spoonies are like snowflakes, each has a different story to tell”
Why I would suggest Disneyland over Disney World to someone who suffers from chronic pain.
It is no secret that I love Disneyland. Besides the magical memories made with family and friends, Disneyland provides me with physical and mental therapy. Because of this, I never hesitate to suggest a Disneyland vacation to my friends that suffer from chronic pain. However, I am not as quick to suggest they go toContinue reading “Why I would suggest Disneyland over Disney World to someone who suffers from chronic pain.”
Doctor Appointments That Do More Harm Than Good
Whether someone suffers from chronic pain or not, I feel it is safe to assume that most people see their doctors for two reasons. The first is to stay healthy, and the second is to find answers and get well. The last thing we expect is to leave that appointment physically feeling 10X worse thanContinue reading “Doctor Appointments That Do More Harm Than Good”
Insult or Compliment?
When someone says “You don’t look sick“, do you take it as an insult or a compliment? Personally I take it as an insult and here is why. 1. “You don’t look sick” is an accusation, not a compliment. Those words accuse the person in pain of being a liar. If people who haven’t aContinue reading “Insult or Compliment?”
What they don’t see
After almost two weeks of suffering from my muscles attacking my spine and neck, last night I felt like I was finally on the upswing. I could feel my muscles relaxing and my joints popped whenever I moved my body. I sounded like a bowl of rice krispies. With less pressure on my neck, my brainContinue reading “What they don’t see”
Time-Out
It’s been a rough day. I was woken up this morning by intense abdominal, leg, and back muscle spasms. Tears rolled down my cheeks as each wave of spasms squeezed tightly. As the day progressed, their frequency decreased, which allowed me to rest. In addition to this, my stomach feels as though it is filledContinue reading “Time-Out”
My Abominable Abdominal Adhesions
Abdominal adhesions began wreaking havoc in my life back in 2004 after having surgery to remove a giant cyst. Some, myself included wanted to blame the type of surgery performed for the adhesions, being that prior to having laparoscopic I had two C-sections without developing adhesions. But in my case it wasn’t the type ofContinue reading “My Abominable Abdominal Adhesions”