I’m back…

I’ve taken a little break from blogging. Managing my career, family obligations, and life in general has been tough. I’ve been transparent about my issues with mental heath. I’ve been battling depression for quite a while. Somedays are good, other are bad. Regardless, I have no choice but to get up every day and go to work and to take care of my family. The one person I am not taking care of is myself and I realized that has to change.

Although I work in education, I always work during the summer. I usually work 4-5 days a week for about 5 hours. Yes, it is a break from my normal 5 days a week, 7+ hour a day schedule, but it is still a grind. This year, I decided to not work in person. Instead, I’ve taken a job at the non-profit I helped to found many years ago. I’m proud to announce that I am not an official employeof AiArthritis as one of their Communications Awareness Assistants. I’m looking forward to this new journey. The best part is the work is virtual. I don’t have to stress about missing my mom’s doctor appointments because I cwork wherever I am located. This is a huge relief.

My rheumatologist has also switched my biologic drug from Infectra to Remicade. Interestingly enough, Remicade was what my rheumatologist recommended a year ago, but my insurance rejected it based on “cost” and “safety”. I saw myself slowly lose mobility and now walk with a cane most of the time. Suddenly, I’m approved for medicate and for the first time in over a year, I don’t feel like I have the flu 100% of the time. My insurance made me suffer for a year. Thanks to my rheumatologist for pushing for the right decision.

Finally, I have learned that I push myself too much. I’m constantly trying to be the best at work, the best for my family, and I have made myself the worse possible version of myself as a result. I’ve gained weight, battled depression, and have al but isolated myself to prevent people who love me to see what is going on in my world/head. I’ve learned that writing helps me a lot. I’ve written my blog and romance novels for years.

Blogging and journaling for my health has have helped me cope with the trials and tribulations of autoimmune arthritis diseases. Tracking my pain and mood throughout the month has helped me identify patterns and triggers I can share with my doctors to help me better manage my health. Seeing how many good and bad days I have each month is eye-opening.

Based on my experiences, I created a journal to help others living with painful chronic conditions. It is now available on Amazon: As My Emotions Turn: a chronic illness journal

There are monthly planners to help you track your month and journaling pages. There is no right or wrong way to journal. This is your story. Share as much or as little as you want. The journal is available in hardback and soft cover versions.

I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me. Through all my years of journaling, I have learned that living with chronic illness isn’t the end of the world; it’s just another way of living in the world.”