All my spoons are in all the right places, if you know what I'm talkin' about...
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
![chronicillnesscat:
[Image: 6-piece blue colored background with a Siamese cat.Text reads: “’We need to call Dr. House in on this one!’ Still isn’t funny.”]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4hvegdv4J1qi36g3o1_400.jpg)
[Image: 6-piece blue colored background with a Siamese cat.Text reads: “’We need to call Dr. House in on this one!’ Still isn’t funny.”]
Count it: first sun-related illness of the summer
Yeah. And I’m entirely aware that it was all my fault for trying to take on an outdoor project that was way over my head (that I didn’t even finish yet, btw). But now I’m laid up, with icey hot patches on my knees and a glass of ice water against my forehead.
I really need to make more friends down here. This is not a one-woman project.
What to Do When You’re Stuck Sick at Home
No matter how hard we try or how well we treat our bodies, all of us will go through periods of time where getting up is simply not an option. And I’m sure everyone has their own methods of staying occupied when this happens, and the internet is a great tool for that…and we’re all familiar with the popular choices: Watching movies and television shows on Netflix or Hulu, posting to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, browsing Reddit or Pintrest. But I know that after a few hours of that, even if I literally cannot move, I start to feel lazy or bad about myself. So I thought about compiling a list of places to go on the internet that can keep us mentally stimulated and productive even when our bodies have given out on us.
The first one is a big one: Gain endless amounts of knowledge on various subjects with MIT’s free open courses.
Or with Yale free open courses!
Watch thought-inspiring videos with TED
Practice speed reading and reading comprehension
Make some money working freelance jobs in various areas of skill
Learn tricks and tools for every day life
If you’re a writer, this app helps motivate you past writers block
More free online documentaries
Please send me others that you use so I can expand on this list, and I’ll repost a finished product later on.
So, where do you go to stay productive on the internet when you’re stuck in bed?
How much rage does this inspire in me? The person who received this note on their care was driving with their sister who had a Prosthetic Leg. Okay, good, everyone agrees the author of this note is a shithead.
But it’s the “*able-bodied*” in the note that got me. This person is watching people walk a few feet out of a car and makes the assumption that looking “able-bodied” means they *are* able-bodied. And that opinion is not uncommon. We think “disabled” and picture people in wheelchairs or talking through computers, we picture adults who need to be assisted when crossing the street. Obvious things.
I’m eligible for a handicapped parking sign now, unfortunately. I still don’t know if I’ll get one. But by looking at me, especially on a “good day”, I look “able-bodied” plenty. This is so true for so many people that it’s hard to forgive this misconception anymore. It’s gone from simple ignorance into arrogant entitlement.
If I ever do get a handicapped sticker for my car, just let someone write me a note like this…please.
Exercise can help keep those with Chronic Illness from adding depression to their list of burdens
We already know that exercise is recommended for anyone suffering from depression. In addition to therapy and drugs if needed, exercise is an amazing cure. It should go without saying that those of us with Chronic Illnesses would benefit from it as well!
For some of us, Chronic Depression is on our list of disorders, and we are aware and understand how to deal with it. But many others with Chronic Illness, Depression is not something they are diagnosed with, but something that sneaks up on them as a result of being bogged down by the stress, worry and lethargy associated with their other ailments. Once that feeling pops up, if you aren’t familiar with it it can send you into a feedback loop.
You’re sick, which is depressing, your depression keeps you slow, which exacerbates your sickness, which makes you more depressed.
Not to mention that exercise can actually help to lessen the symptoms of your illness itself!
And it sounds so easy to say, get up and exercise! It’ll all get better! Because quite obviously that’s unrealistic. But exercise does not have to mean running a mile and then lifting iron at the gym. For some of us, it can be setting a few minutes to stretch before getting up for the day which will put less strain on our joints and muscles later on. Some of us might be able to do some sit-ups, push-ups daily. Hell, some of us might be fully capable of pumping iron and biking all over town daily. It’s all about knowing your limits and being loyal to them.
One thing I have experienced that everyone I’ve spoken to tends to agree on is Water Exercise or Water Therapy. Swimming or working out in water is AMAZING for people with joint problems. Most people are able to do twice the workout they are usually able to, without suffering for it afterwards. Most gyms that have a pool will offer classes, and if there is one available to you I highly recommend it.
If anyone has any personal exercise tips on working out through your illness, please share with me and I’ll post them here!
Shannon Boxx - US Soccer Player with Lupus tells her story
Love this video. Especially the part towards the beginning where she highlights the importance and relief that comes with finally getting a diagnosis, and knowing that this is not all in your head, or that you are just out of shape. I really admire anyone who is able to come out and tell their illness story, especially when her career is one that most people would assume impossible for someone with Chronic Illness!
When I Hear Songs, They Sound Like A Swan: In regards to ableism, awareness and autism
I am not autistic. I am disabled, but not to a degree where it makes getting on with life in an ableist world horrifically difficult. But I understand, and 100% agree, with many people’s issues with blue this month and the issue of being valued as a person. I may not face these issues every day of…
Brilliantly put! Thank you!
People with Chronic Illness have trouble coordinating care
A new study in Health Services Research shows that one of the leading reasons for Chronic Illness complications is due to the overwhelming amount of appointments with several different specialists each year.
In younger patients, even those with more than one Chronic Illness to manage, the tendency to keep track of their appointments than an older patient with only one illness.
This seems to be something close to common sense, as we get older our symptoms increase in severity, our tolerance for pain goes down, we get tired, etc. But that doesn’t mean this should be an issue.
Because we see so many different specialists, it generally means that our doctors are not affiliated with one another, or connected in any way. That leaves the responsibility up to us to make sure that each doctor knows all details, and that we keep up with each of them regularly in addition to when necessary. This isn’t easy for many of us, especially with the addition of our symptoms.
We’re seeing workshops popping up in various places in America, usually inspired by or run by Eastern practitioners, designed to help sufferers of Chronic Illness become more organized and to stay on top of their medical needs. Most of the time these workshops are free.
For starters though, here are some tips:
Give your doctors, ALL your doctors, the express consent and instruction to share all your documents (tests, reports, etc) with each other. They may act annoyed with you, but don’t have any of that. Their offices will fax your information if you tell them. This way, if you forget that your cardiologist noticed heart palpitations the next time you see your nutritionist (or whatever the case may be), you are covered.
Try to book appointments close together. I know this is not always possible, but keeping your conversations in your recent memory is always helpful.
Keep a pain/symptom diary. There are iphone/android/windows phone apps, or you could just jot things down on paper. But keep it, and bring it with you to each appointment to keep your symptoms straight. Mark the symptoms with a severity level, probably from 1-10. I know I have a tendency to play down my symptoms after they’ve gone away, so this will keep me from sabotaging myself in that way.
Please feel free to add anything…Does anyone have any other suggestions for managing multiple doctors?
I just want to drop in and say…
I hope everyone is feeling alright today. I hope you’ve taken your meds if you have them, I hope you feel as rested as possible, I hope there is something going on that is making you happy, I hope you’ve taken some time in your day to do something good for yourself.
I hope you are all as well as possible. If anyone needs someone to talk to or to cheer them up, please let me know. I’d like to help someone feel better today.
![chronicillnesscat:
[Image: 6-piece blue colored background with a Siamese cat with blue eyes. Text reads: “You should take better care of yourself. But, the only thing I do is take care of myself!”]A friend recently posted on one of my Facebook pictures where my pupils were dialated, due to serotonin syndrome. She knows I have Fibromyalgia, CFS, PTSD, and I’m withdrawing from Tramadol already, yet she still said “Please take care of yourself better.” I wanted to scream! Take better care of myself? I changed my entire diet, take my blood pressure & pulse on a daily basis, exercise when I can, take medications, take supplements & herbs, go to doctors, rest, etc. My whole life is centered around taking care of myself! What more does she expect of me?](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0t8jhPeOw1qi36g3o1_400.jpg)
[Image: 6-piece blue colored background with a Siamese cat with blue eyes. Text reads: “You should take better care of yourself. But, the only thing I do is take care of myself!”]
A friend recently posted on one of my Facebook pictures where my pupils were dialated, due to serotonin syndrome. She knows I have Fibromyalgia, CFS, PTSD, and I’m withdrawing from Tramadol already, yet she still said “Please take care of yourself better.” I wanted to scream! Take better care of myself? I changed my entire diet, take my blood pressure & pulse on a daily basis, exercise when I can, take medications, take supplements & herbs, go to doctors, rest, etc. My whole life is centered around taking care of myself! What more does she expect of me?
