DISEASE MANAGEMENT: 15 things to pack when traveling with a chronic illness

08 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Disease Management

DISEASE MANAGEMENT: 15 things to pack when traveling with a chronic illness

f51fa8d0891988c90314f4a584c4605c

Traveling can be extraordinary difficult when you’re dealing with a chronic illness. The pain of uncomfortable cars and planes, plus strange beds, ratchet up your pain level. And then there’s the fatigue…the ever-ending fatigue. It’s even worse while you’re away from home than anything you endure in familiar surroundings.

But this awesome website, Chronicality, did a great post on traveling with chronic illness. Here are their tips:

1. A GOOD, ORGANIZED LIST

Never underestimate the power of a thorough packing list. For Phyllisa Deroze, author of the blog Diagnosed Not Defeated, that’s an app called Wunderlist. A cool feature: You can share your lists with a travel buddy or caretaker through the app to help you make sure you’ve included everything you’ll need. “It’s actually not marketed towards people with chronic illness, but it makes keeping track of everything so much easier,” she says.

2. ENOUGH MEDS, AND THEN SOME

No spoonie needs to be reminded about the importance of bringing their meds along on a trip. But don’t forget to bring at least a couple days’ worth of extras. That goes for meds and supplies, like glucose strips and tablets. One of the joys and drawbacks of travel is unpredictability. You may find yourself on the road for a few extra days, and will be glad you came prepared.

3. REALLY DARK SUNGLASSES

Whether you’re the pilot or the navigator, dark sunglasses can help deflect the sun and bright glares bouncing off of other cars, which can be triggers for migraines.

4. EXTRA WRITTEN PRESCRIPTIONS

Even if you plan ahead, your meds might get misplaced or ruined. Having a prescription already written out that you can hand to a pharmacist at the closest drugstore will save you the time and stress of trying to reach your doctor after hours and connecting him or her with a possibly very remote pharmacy.

5. A HYDRATION BACKPACK

Hydration packs offer hands-free hydration! Especially helpful if your road trip is taking you to a music festival or other lengthy outdoor event that could potentially tap your energy supply, it can also be used to sneak in a snack in case the food sold there will aggravate your symptoms. “Sometimes that’s easier than trying to tell the security guard that you have a disease and you have to bring in your tuna-to-go so you can survive later,” says Angie Abramite, a Chicago-area drama teacher diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

6. A TRAVEL-SPECIFIC MOBILITY AID

Travel-size applies to more than just mini shampoos and lotions. Think about investing in a more travel-friendly version of a device that helps you, but is a little bulky. The internet is your friend when it comes to finding canes that fold up or ultra-light wheelchairs that come with a carrying bag.

7. YOUR OWN TRAVEL LINENS

Sheets might seem like a bulky item to pack in the car, but if your skin reacts easily to detergents or scented products that could be found on hotel beds, you’ll be glad you did. The same goes for towels. Luckily, several outdoor recreation companies make towels that are thin, light and quick drying.

8. A STURDY, REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

Staying hydrated is key for some in fighting fatigue. But when it’s not filled with liquid, consider your reusable water bottle a strong storage spot for essential items, like medications or supplies that you can’t risk accidentally crushing.

9. TRANSLATIONS OF DIETARY RESTRICTIONS AND EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS

In case your road trip takes you across national borders to a place where your native language isn’t the main one spoken, bring along small cards with translations of any dietary restrictions and emergency instructions. Can’t read the menu? Just hand the card to a restaurant employee to make sure you don’t accidentally eat something you’ll be sorry for later.

10. BATHROOM APPS

Traveling can throw off your routine… in more ways than one. If being able to plan bathroom trips is a key component to managing your condition, consider downloading an app like Flush, Toilocator or Sit or Squat.

11. A MINI COOLER

Even if your car’s AC is downright arctic, that probably won’t help keep medications that need to be refrigerated cold enough. Bring a mini-cooler with ice that you can refill along the way. For those traveling with insulin, a specific insulin-cooling carrier may be an even better bet.

12. A VERSATILE WHEELIE BAG

When pain is a part of your daily life, traveling can be exhausting and, well, painful. Having a bag that has wheels that roll in every direction (i.e. not just forward and backward) can mean the difference between dragging something and walking alongside it. As Abramite also mentions, bags like these tend to put less strain on the abdominal area than a backpack.

13. A PAGE-TURNER READ OR BINGE-WORTHY WATCH

In case you need to take a couple of hours, a day or even a couple of days off and reenergize and recuperate from the journey while others participate in activities, it’ll help knowing you have that book you’ve been wanting to get lost in, or a tablet loaded up with a season of one of your favorite shows.

14. EARPLUGS AND AN EYE MASK

With the extra energy needed to travel, getting quality sleep is even more important than usual. Ear plugs and an eye mask will help block outside stimuli, like the noisy folks in the room next to you, or, if you’re tenting-it, those lovely (but loud) chirping birds whose day starts at dawn.

15. A JOURNAL

Let’s face it: Travel is challenging. Some would say that’s kind of the point. But for spoonies, the challenges are unique. As one author puts it, vacations while sick are “happy-sad” experiences. The happy comes from the memories you’re creating and the experiences you’re having, but the sad creeps in when your travel activities make you feel, well, crappy. You’ll want a place to process some of these thoughts at the end of the day.

How did they do? Are there other things you want to add to the list? Tell me in the comments!

RECIPES: 10 freezer meals for breakfast

05 Sunday Mar 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

RECIPES: 10 freezer meals for breakfast

NOTE: These recipes are from Richly Rooted.

Sooo, who feels like making a big, healthy breakfast each morning? You’ve dragged yourself out of bed, gotten the kids ready for school, and done all the other tasks involved with getting a family moving in the morning. I don’t know about you, but after all that, I certainly don’t have the energy to cook breakfast. With that in mind, here are some recipes for freezer meals designed for breakfast time.

I’ve been really into freezer meals lately. One thing that’s always made me feel guilty about is that I can no longer cook meals for my family with any regularity. Instead, we throw something together quickly or end up getting food somewhere else. I’ve now got a freezer downstairs crammed full with meals, but they’re almost all for dinner.

1. BREAKFAST BURRITOS

Breakfast burritos are super versatile. Get creative with your fillings and use bacon, sausage, peppers, onions, different types of cheese, whatever sounds good to you! I made a batch with diced, skillet-cooked potatoes.

2. EGG SANDWICHES

I fully admit, I like those Egg McMuffins from McDonald’s! But you can stay out of the drive-through by making your own healthier, cheaper version at home. Try these sandwiches with biscuits, English muffins, or bagels.

3. WAFFLES

For something more filling and healthy than Eggo waffles, make a batch from scratch! Stack them in freezer bags and pop them in the toaster to defrost and crisp up. This recipe turned out great, and you can make it with regular flour if you don’t have Einkorn.

4. MUFFINS

This would be a good one to make when you’re already preparing a batch of muffins for supper–just double whatever recipe you’re making and freeze cooled muffins in a Ziploc bag. Here are my recipes for Heavenly Lemon Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins and Pumpkin Black Raspberry Muffins.

5. SMOOTHIES

Freeze individual “smoothie kits” in Ziploc bags–fruit, ice cubes, mix-ins like dried coconut, kelp powder, flax seed, etc. In the morning, just dump it in the blender along with a few scoops of yogurt, kefir, or some milk.

6. PANCAKES

Like waffles, a regular pancake recipe can be made in advance. Stack and freeze the pancakes, then reheat in the oven or toaster.

7. BREAKFAST BARS

This breakfast granola bar makes a good non-messy grab-and-go breakfast. Let them cool, then cut each bar and wrap in wax paper secured with a piece of tape.

8. BREAKFAST BISCUITS

It’s really hard not to eat these savory breakfast biscuits straight out of the oven, but if you can manage to set aside a batch to freeze, you’ll be glad you did on those busy mornings!

9. CINNAMON ROLLS

Imagine digging in to a hot, gooey cinnamon roll just minutes after waking up. This can be your reality if you make and freeze a batch ahead of time!

10. TOASTER STRUDEL

Pack these toaster pastries with something sweet, like berries and cream cheese, or go with a savory egg-and-meat filling.

Have these recipes got you inspired to try out freezer cooking? Here are some more links and resources you might want to check out:

7 Easy Steps for Planning a Freezer Cooking Day @ Intentional By Grace

10 Easy Freezer Meals @ The Humbled Homemaker

35+ Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Freezer Meals @ The Humbled Homemaker

Freezer Cooking: What, Why, and How @ Young Wife’s Guide

Meal Planning and Freezer Cooking: Two Ways to Save Yourself Time, Money, and Stress @ Jaimie Ramsey

New Leaf Wellness and Money Saving Mom have lots of freezer meal ideas and free printables!

RECIPES: Perception vs Reality with smoothies

02 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

RECIPES: Perception vs Reality with smoothies

c85b674bca106e5dd911d7bc0125e769

When you think about a smoothie, this is what you see in your mind’s eye, right? But when you follow the scores of recipes online, especially those made to deal with chronic pain and illness, the smoothies look more like this.

20170213_081729

Maybe this isn’t your experience, but it’s certainly been mine. That smoothie didn’t taste disgusting, but it wasn’t lip-smacking delicious either.

I’ve heard you need to use fruits that are all the same color to get those pretty smoothies. But then look at the pictures below. Many of them have several different ingredients.

a384b387fe2f0b1296bf671e9b95c925

cdee8c6d893cfdc3f5e2ede3de3b422e

5ebde2036e3beea6b988ac7d6d3a9173

This obviously isn’t the most content-rich post, but it’s something that’s been bugging me as I drink sludge-colored every day.

What are your thoughts on this? Who’s got a way to make smoothies more appetizing? Tell me in the comments!

GO NATURAL: To buy or make natural cleaners…that is the question

27 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Go Natural

≈ Leave a comment

GO NATURAL: To buy or make natural cleaners…that is the question

141016

Inevitably there are pros and cons to buying commercial products versus making your own. These are important points to consider before making any decisions about how you plan to both achieve cleanliness and better health.

Many people say homemade cleaners made with less manufactured chemicals are safer. But how true is that? Turns out, it’s pretty spot-on. Ingredients I can’t even pronounce are probably not ones I want all over my house. Ingredients found in nature, like citric acid and essential oils, should be less likely to cause health problems.

Also, some products sold commercially are not exactly friendly to the environment. The byproducts and leftovers leach into our soil, poisoning the ground. The items that make up organic cleaners, since they’re from the earth to begin with, don’t do nearly as much harm. Even if you happen to inhale them or they get on your skin and are absorbed that way, natural ingredients are less likely to cause problems. They’re usually less irritating in general, no matter how they’re used.

Now, for some of the cons about using organic materials. For one thing, they’re more expensive. Many chemicals used in standard cleaning products are produced cheaper because of the sheer volume involved. They don’t have to be sourced sustainably from the earth using careful processes.

Additionally, natural products might not work as well. Let’s face it, we’ve all tried to do something like clear a clogged drain using vinegar and baking soda, usually not very successfully. Commercial products are specifically designed to handle the tasks they’re manufactured for. Thus, they’re probably more effective. However, when you make your own products you can experiment until you find the formula that works best for your needs. With commercial cleaners, what you see is what you get.

Lastly, making your own natural cleaners isn’t as easy as it looks. You need to do a lot of research, or refer to others who already have, to figure out which ingredients will work best for each formulation you need. Using the wrong ones will not only cost money, but lead to aggravation as they don’t perform as expected.

I hope this has given you some things to consider before you run out and buy all kinds of ingredients to make your own cleaners. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!

RECIPE: Homemade pain cream

24 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

RECIPE: Homemade pain cream

NOTE: Recipe courtesy of Modern Alternative Health

I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of money on various lotions and creams to try to mitigate my chronic pain. This recipe intrigues me, especially if I can save money. So let’s see what it’s all about!

Homemade Pain Cream Can Be Used For:

Sore muscles
Arthritis
Joint Pain
Inflammation
Pulled muscles

Homemade Pain Cream

You Will Need:

Pan or double boiler
Whisk
Measuring equipment (cup, scale, etc.)

Ingredients:

1.5 oz beeswax
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup oil of choice (olive oil, grapeseed oil, etc)

Essential oils for homemade pain cream (use your own combination):

Directions:

Add your beeswax, coconut oil, and your oil of choice to your pan. Turn it on medium to low heat and let it all melt down slowly.

Remove from heat and begin allowing your mixture to cool.

After the mixture has cooled some, add your essential oils — about 72 drops (total). This is 0.5% dilution, which is good for really little kids. For general use, add about 290 drops (2% dilution). For adults or difficult issues, add up to 700 drops (about 20 – 25 ml), which is 10% dilution.

If you prefer to make a smaller quantity, try using just 1 oz. of oil (or 2 tablespoons) with 18 drops of oil for 0.5% dilution, 72 drops for 2% dilution, and 180 drops for 5% dilution.

Lavender is the best choice for little ones. Clove, peppermint, and eucalyptus are safe for older kids (over 10), and wintergreen should be reserved for adults.

It is normal for it to still be in a liquid state. Then transfer it to your storage container of choice with a secure lid and allow your homemade pain cream thicken. Then it is ready for use!

If the texture is thicker than you like make sure you try it before changing anything. Often as soon as it hits your skin it melts and blends in. However, if you would like it to have a softer look you can whip it with a whisk or mixer.

Perhaps you’d rather not use essential oils, and that’s okay. I’ve got another recipe for you!

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. arnica flowers
2 oz. olive oil
1.5 tsp. beeswax

Directions:

Step 1: In a small saucepan over very low heat, mix the arnica flowers and olive oil. Once it is warm, turn it off.

Step 2: Let this oil mixture sit for 1 – 2 hours.

Step 3: Strain the oil mixture through a piece of cloth (wash cloths work fine), reserving the oil and throwing out the flowers.

Step 4: Pour the oil into a clean, dry saucepan and add the beeswax. Turn on low heat until the beeswax is melted.

Step 5: Pour the finished salve into 1 2-oz. tin or 2 1-oz. tins, depending on what you prefer. Two tins lets you keep it in two different places. You don’t need much at once, so I chose to pour mine into 1-oz. tins (I made a triple batch, which you can see in the pictures. There are 4 1-oz. tins and 1 2-oz. tin.)

Once the salve is cool, put the lids on and store in a cool, dry place. (If it melts, it could get messy — like if you leave it in your car in the summer — but it should be fine. It will just need to re-solidify.)

Use a small amount as needed on bumps and bruises on non-broken skin. Safe for babies over 6 months.

MY LIFE: The concept of mindfulness and why it annoys me

20 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in My life

≈ 1 Comment

MY LIFE: The concept of mindfulness & why it annoys me

canstock-unexpected-top-woman

I think we all have days where this is the primary expression we wear. Then we see something like this:

mindfulness2

Courtesy Stonybrook.edu

Now let’s think about what happens when you take this advice…

You turn your focus to what’s going on at that moment.
The pain, the fatigue, the stigma, etc are your current reality.
Unless you stop being mindful, you’re now trapped in a not-so-fun situation that you spend a lot of time trying to overcome.
Vicious circle.

You might disagree with me. Maybe mindfulness works for you. But I think by and large that anyone who lives with chronic pain and illness as a major part of their daily life does not want to be mindful, because then they feel everything.

I’m not saying to never be mindful. There are times when it’s great, like when you’re having fun or if you’re having a good day. But if you’re having a crummy day, deal with it as best you can. Don’t let anyone else tell you how to cope.

RECIPES: Anti-inflammatory food recipes to help your chronic illness

17 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

RECIPES: Anti-inflammatory food recipes to help your chronic illness

anti-inflammatory-foods

A quick breakdown of these foods and why they’re great to help inflammation:

Flaxseed: Has omega-3 fatty acid which helps inflammation.

Green tea: Contains anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

Turmeric: High anti-inflammatory properties due to its curcumin content.

Cantaloupe: Has anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.

Avocado and walnuts: Contain anti-inflammatory fatty acids.

Lemon: Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory vitamin C.

Berries and Cherries: Contain anti-inflammatory phytochemicals.

Pineapple: High in anti-inflammatory bromelain.

Kale: Has 45 antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids.

Garlic: Has high anti-inflammatory sulfer-containing compounds. NOTE: I’m told by a friend that garlic may actually send your immune system into overdrive, which is not a good thing when you have an autoimmune disease. I urge you to do your own research to see if garlic is a good idea for you.

Broccoli: Contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytonutrients.

Information courtesy of Yoga By Candace

Here’s one that fits in two of the anti-inflammatory foods!

PALEO LEMON BLUEBERRY SCONES

Author: Cook Eat Paleo

Serves: 8-10 scones

INGREDIENTS

315 grams almond flour (about 3 cups)
1 teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
zest of 1 lemon
2 eggs
2 tablespoons raw honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¾ cup fresh blueberries

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Add the almond flour, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest to a large bowl and stir to combine.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the wet ingredients. Starting in the center, stir the dough until well combined. Fold in blueberries.
Using a large cookie or ice cream scoop, drop the scones onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly wet hands and gently flatten the tops of the scones. They should be about 1 inch thick.
Bake 18-20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Another one that uses two of the anti-inflammatory foods.

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups packed spinach, chopped
2 cups frozen artichokes, chopped
1½ pounds ground chicken thighs
1 large egg
3 tablespoons coconut flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and peper to taste

Lemon Garlic Sauce

½ cup cashews, soaked*
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 head roasted garlic**
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons water
salt taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the sauce. Put all the ingredients for the sauce in a high powered blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Place a medium-sized sautée pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once oil is hot, add onions and sauté for 5 mins until soft and translucent. Add spinach, minced garlic, and artichokes and cook for another 5 minutes, until combined and spinach is cooked down. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside to cool.
While mixture is cooling, heat up a large cast iron skillet. Add spinach and artichoke mixture to a bowl along with the remaining ingredients. Mix well and form into into 1 inch sized balls (about 24 meatballs).
Place in the cast iron and cook for 20 minutes, rotating frequently to evenly brown, until firm to the touch and no pink remains. I did this in two batches to make sure they were not overcrowded.
Serve with lemon garlic sauce on top of your favorite pasta or salad. Enjoy!

NOTES

*Place cashews in a bowl. Cover with water. Let soak for at least 30 minutes or overnight (30 minutes if you are in a pinch).
**I roasted my garlic ahead of time. To roast garlic, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel the outer layers of the garlic skin off leaving the cloves still attached and chop off the top of the bulb. Place in aluminum foil and drizzle ½ teaspoon olive oil over the exposed surface of the garlic, letting the oil sink down into the cloves. Wrap the garlic in aluminum foil and roast in the oven for 40 minutes.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH AVOCADO AND BANANA

Author: Trinity Bourne

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: dairy-free, vegan, raw-vegan, gluten-free

Serves: 1 portion

Ingredients

½ ripe avocado
1 ripe banana
2 heaped tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maple syrup or coconut sugar (optional extra)
Pinch of sea salt (optional extra)

Instructions

It’s super easy…. blend until creamy smooth with a hand blender.

12 SUPERFOODS SALAD

12superfoodssalad-5

YIELD: serves 2 generously or 4 modestly

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: about 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: about 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup dry quinoa, cooked according to package directions
1/2 cup frozen edamame, cooked according to package directions
1/2 bunch curly kale (about 4 to 5 cups), chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces with thick ribs removed
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup red grapes, halved
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped if necessary (dried cranberries may be substituted)
1/3 cup feta, goat, or parmesan cheese, crumbled or shredded
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (I used unsalted)
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (I used unsalted)
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, finely minced or pressed
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
1 heaping tablespoon Greek yogurt (I used 0% fat, sour cream may be substituted)

DIRECTIONS:

Cook quinoa according to package directions, likely cooking with 1 cup water to the 1/2 cup dry quinoa. Transfer about half of the cooked quinoa to a very large bowl. I don’t use all the quinoa for the salad and save the rest for another use. I find it too difficult to cook less than 1/2 cup dry quinoa.
Cook edamame according to package directions. Drain and add to the bowl.
To the bowl, add the kale, blueberries, grapes, dried cherries, cheese, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and stir to combine; set aside.
To a glass mason jar with a lid (or similar jar with a lid), add the orange juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, seal with lid, and shake vigorously to combine; about 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the Greek yogurt and shake until creamy and incorporated, about 1 minute. Taste and check for seasoning balance, adding more salt, pepper, etc. as necessary. I prefer this dressing to be on the saltier side because it’s going to be coating a large bowl of unseasoned kale, vegetables, and quinoa and you need it to read salty out of the jar to properly flavor the salad.
Add desired amount of dressing to salad, toss well to combine, and serve immediately. Extra dressing will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 1 week; shake vigorously before using.

This salad hits on all cylinders in the anti-inflammatory food department!

CREAMY AVOCADO, BROCCOLI, AND BERRY SALAD

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 6 as a side

Author Chelsea

Ingredients

Salad

4 cups rounded chopped broccoli ~2 heads
1 cups and 1/2 sliced strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1 large and ripe avocado
Other optional toppings: candied walnuts or almonds chopped mango, blackberries, blueberries, feta cheese

Dressing

1/2 cup creamy poppyseed dressing
1/4 cup raspberry walnut vinaigrette

Instructions

Remove the stems from the broccoli and cut into very small pieces. Fill up a bowl with very cold water and a few cupfuls of ice.
Bring a pot of water to boiling point. Add in a heaping tablespoon of salt.
Pour the broccoli into the boiling water and count to 30. As soon as you get to 30 drain the broccoli and pour the broccoli into your prepared ice/water bath.
Allow the broccoli to sit in the cold water until completely cooled. Then remove with a slotted spoon to a salad spinner or bowl.
Make sure the broccoli is 100% dried before tossing it with anything else (especially the dressing).
Slice the strawberries. Remove the peel and pit of the avocado and chop.
In a large bowl, mix together the broccoli, strawberries, raspberries, and avocado. Add any other toppings as desired.
Right before serving, whisk together the poppyseed dressing and the raspberry vinaigrette. Pour over the salad. (If desired, add more of both dressings to personal preference of an extra dressed salad).

MY LIFE: Ways to make your partner understand so you can have a happy Valentine’s Day

14 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in My life

≈ Leave a comment

MY LIFE: Ways to make your partner understand so you can have a happy Valentine’s Day

chronic-pain-loving-someone-with-it-kate-the-almost-great

Since we’re all busy on this finest of holidays, I thought I’d summarize what you need to know and what you can tell your loved one about your life. I hope these snippets help you get the conversation started, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

every day is not the same

pain affects our day to day energy

we hate how our pain affects our lives; and yours

it upsets us that our life isn’t like other people we know

we still need romance

valentine’s day doesn’t have to be epic

tell us we’re not a burden and that you love us

RESOURCES: 5 Best dog breeds for people with chronic illness

10 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Resources

≈ Leave a comment

RESOURCES: 5 Best dog breeds for people with chronic illness

low_maintenance_dog_12446_3381

Credit: Shutterstock

There’s a big movement starting to figure out how pets help those battling chronic illness. It appears they do, but doctors are stumped about exactly why that is. But one thing’s for sure – for those of us who want a dog, it’s nice to know which don’t require much upkeep. So without further ado…

Information courtesy of Pet Breeds.com and akc.org

Basset Hound:

Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Moderate
Exercise needs: Low
Trainability: Easy
The Basset Hound has such a distinct look—a short, low-to-the-ground body with big, hanging ears—it’s no wonder it has inspired several cartoon characters (including one named, you guessed it, Droopy). But its incredible hunting instinct and scenting abilities are what first earned this breed its popularity. As pets, Bassets are extremely patient (especially with young kids who tend to yank at their ears when not supervised) and easy to train, and despite their plodding pace, they do well at various dog sports.
American Staffordshire Terrier:

Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Minimal
Exercise needs: Medium
Trainability: Easy
Courageous and strong, the American Staffordshire Terrier (Am Staff)’s athletic build and intelligence make him ideally suited to many dog sports such as obedience, agility, tracking and conformation. He is often identified by his stocky body and strong, powerful head. The breed’s short coat can be any color, and either solid colored, parti-colored or patched.
French Bulldog:

Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Minimal
Exercise needs: Low
Trainability: Easy
This affectionate and playful breed—known for its wrinkly, smushy face and bat-like ears—is a great companion for single pet-owners as well as families with young children. They need little exercise and grooming and are incredibly loyal to their people. Because of their somewhat stubborn nature, they require a bit of patience during training but are incredibly intelligent and eager to please.
Chihuahua:

Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Minimal
Exercise needs: Low
Trainability: Easy
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs that come in many different colors and markings, and can have either long or short coats, but they all have large, alert ears, big moist eyes, and huge personalities. Inside each little Chihuahua is a miniature king or queen ready to rule their realms, so they need to be taught what is acceptable in human kingdoms. They are intelligent and enthusiastic, so they usually don’t need extensive training.
Bullmastiff:

Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Minimal
Exercise needs: Low
Trainability: Easy
The Bullmastiff is a strong and powerfully built animal that possesses great intelligence and a willingness to please, making them ideal family companions and protectors. Although large, the breed remains both agile and active and is successful in conformation, obedience, agility, tracking, carting and therapy work. The Bullmastiff’s coat may be red, fawn or brindle.

Do you have any of these dog breeds? I’d love to hear some personal stories.

DISEASE MANAGEMENT: Other conditions related to your chronic illness

07 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by Cassandra Carr in Disease Management

≈ Leave a comment

DISEASE MANAGEMENT: Other conditions related to your chronic illness

Lonely broken down young woman thinking about life

Courtesy Bigstock Photo

Do you ever feel like this woman? She looks utterly broken and alone. I think anyone who battles a chronic illness feels like this every now and then. So what can cause this malaise?

Chronic illnesses tend to come with some hangers-on, if you will. Problems like:

Migraines – I have tension migraines. Many of my fellow chronic illness warriors suffer from some type of migraine. Robert Duarte, MD, director of the Pain Institute at the North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System, in Manhasset, N.Y., said, “An underlying disturbance in the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine plays a role in causing headaches…”

Additional autoimmune diseases – These include things like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. There are lots of others. They bring their own sets of symptoms and challenges. Oftentimes, having one of these additional diseases is a major factor in your mental and emotional state. I know I always think, “What’s next? Seriously! What’s next?”

Restless legs – Ugh. Restless legs are one of the most annoying things about having a chronic disease. Our sleep is already messed up and now this? As you all know by now, my primary chronic illness is fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia are 11 times more likely to develop restless legs than the rest of the general population.

Irritable bowel syndrome – Another thing that people with chronic illnesses are far more susceptible to. Cramping? Check. Constipation/diarrhea? Check. Never knowing if something you’re eating is going to cause agony? Check.

Pelvic pain – This includes all kinds of pains, from bladder infections to worse menstrual cramps. What they have to do with chronic illnesses is still a mystery, much like most of the things that happen pertaining to our chronic illnesses.

Depression/anxiety – Roughly fifty percent of people who battle a chronic illness also struggle with some form of depression, anxiety, or both. I’m actually surprised the figure is that low. Dealing with the storm of chronic illness makes every day a struggle.

Weight gain – Many people with fibromyalgia lead sedentary lives due to their chronic pain, and a lack of regular physical activity increases their risk of becoming overweight or obese. “Being overweight places more mechanical stress on your joints, which can cause more pain and aggravate the fibromyalgia,” Dr. Arnold says. Plus, fat stores are pro-inflammatory, which can also exacerbate pain.

What other conditions do you have as a result of your chronic illness? Tell me in the comments!