I have been living with invisible illness {diagnosed} since 2008. Chronic pain, fatigue and bizarre symptoms are part of my everyday life. Statistics tell us that 1 out of every 2 Americans lives with a chronic illness {diabetes, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.} I know I am not alone. So, why do I…
Category Archives: multiple sclerosis
Miscellaneous Melissa
Remember when I said I wouldn’t fall behind on posting for Toni’s 30 day challenge? Ahem…yeah. So, anyway here I am playing catch up again {days 15-22}. Bear with me, mmmk? Day 15: Show your dream home If this question had been posed three years ago, my dream would have materialized quite differently. However, since…
A true gift
It is just a box you check on your driver’s license. I have never given it much thought, until this week. Monday, I received a gift from a woman I will never know. Part of her knee was grafted into mine so that I will be able to walk again without brace, cane or walker….
The Great Physician
I am not used to good news from the doctor (and when I say doctor I mean any of the dozens of “ologists” I see on a regular basis). This recent liver problem was discouraging to me and the prognosis and outlook were dismal each time it was discussed with any of the “ologists”. BUT…
The Radical Experiment- Part Four
Step Four: Give of our time in another context. Pre-Radical: We have taken our children to serve in soup kitchens and nursing homes over the years. It was something to do together and our thought was to give them a glimpse of how blessed they are and to introduce them to the concept of giving…
Medicare and Privilege
Yesterday, something came in the mail for me. It looked like this… Many emotions swirled in my mind and heart. Most of them related to self pity about my disability(s) and the seeming prematurity of needing Medicare. I loathe self pity. So, I turned to God for an attitude check. He is always faithful in…
Legacy of Caring
I was recently in NYC for a blogging/social media conference. Johnson and Johnson was there and requested some bloggers to make videos describing something that they care about. Naturally, those living with chronic illness are frequently on my heart {although I had to quickly decide to talk about that OR foster care OR human trafficking…
Silent Inflammation- Interview with Dr. Sears
Yesterday, I had the privilege to interview Dr. Barry Sears (MD), author of several books including New York Times bestseller, The Zone. As someone that lives with autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus), which have been linked to chronic inflammation, I had a lot of questions for the doctor and looked forward to hearing his…
Listening to the still, small voice
I have been having some (not so fun) issues with my left leg in the last few weeks. My doctor(s) attributed it to my MS and put me on a steroid dose pack. While that reduced the swelling on the MRI, it did not resolve the problem. What is the problem? Muscle atrophy. Atrophy (according to…
Flowers fade
I am not a gardener. I am pretty sure both my thumbs are black. When we downsized and moved in December, I didn’t pay much attention the landscaping on our new home’s lot. I was so pleasantly surprised a few weeks ago when pretty pink bushes bloomed out front. A luscious purple bush in the…
