Rheumy Rounds™…

February 12, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

I recently started a foray into podcasting with my IFAA cofounder Tiffany. She is the brains behind the project, in which patients co-host a podcast to discuss issues impacting patients in the autoimmune/autoinflammatory arthritis community. Our latest series is called “Rheumy Rounds”. Personally, I think it is ground breaking. How many of us (patients) have […]

Daring to believe…

October 27, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

I just recently started to feel like my new medication is working. It’s kind of shocking. My pain level is so much more tolerable. I still have pain, but I can make it all day without taking extra meds. My swelling is also getting better. I still swell when I overdo it, but for the […]

Oh the places we will go…

October 15, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

I’ve not taken a proper vacation since my dog was diagnosed with diabetes. I refused to leave her for over two years until this past September, when I traveled to Washington DC for 2 nights for a patient advocacy trip. I admit that I was a wreck until I had her back in my arms. […]

With a hope and a flare….

June 10, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

This past week, I’ve been dealing with one of the worst flare ups of my disease in years. I say the word “disease” because honestly, no one seems to know for sure what I have. Sometimes I’m told I have rheumatoid arthritis. Other times, I’m told I have psoriatic arthritis or spondyloarthopathy. All I know….is […]

Who knows best…

March 18, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Insurance is a blessing and a curse in my life. I’m grateful to have coverage, but so frustrated a the antiquated system of step therapy that they industry still holds valid. I’ve written before about suffering for 7 years before finding a biologic drug that made me feel somewhat human again. Why? Because I had […]

Four more weeks…

December 18, 2018.Reading time 8 minutes.

I had my follow up for my broken foot (AKA 5th metatarsal fracture) today. I’ve been trying my best to not bear weight on my foot since 11/1/2018. The past 46 days have been difficult. I’ve tried my best to not walk. I admit, it’s so hard in my stair-filled house, so there are times when […]

In the news…

December 7, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

A few months ago, I was contacted by a writer looking to do a story about a patient for the American College of Rheumatology‘s online magazine, “The Rheumatologist“. She wanted to talk to someone who had attending the ACR’s annual Advocates for Arthritis event in Washington DC. I was honored someone recommended me for the […]

I hope you laugh…

October 10, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

I spend time with a lot of kids. In my work and in my life, I am surrounded by kids a lot. The other day, a kid came up to me and our conversation went something like this: Kid: I feel so bad for you. Me: Why? Kid: I read your book. Me: (thinking kid […]

RA Blog Week 2018: Day 5 (Another Wildcard): Politics

September 28, 2018.Reading time 7 minutes.

Honored to be a part of this 4th annual RA Blog Week 2018. Thanks to Rick Phillips for organizing and inviting me to participate. Today’s topic is not one I was able to respond to, so I decided to do another wild card. Here is today’s prompt: Politics – Health is always a hot item for […]