In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Continue reading “Deep Thoughts”Category: Men & Womens Health
Blogger Highlight-Agnes 22
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Agnes 22.
Agnes 22
Hello my name is Agnija and I write about emotions. I write exactly what I feel and that makes me happy. Each one of us are unique and that’s what is reflected in my writing. How people interact, react and feel is the essence of my blog. I’ll be so glad if you take a few minutes of your time to read my blog.
Be sure to stop by her blog!
Melinda
Friday Quote 2/03/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Ground Hog Day
The ever-famous groundhog Phil, saw his shadow this morning so we have six more weeks of winter. I wonder if some government agency has been tracking his accuracy. Let’s find out why Groundhog Day exists.
The History
The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day has become most commonly associated with the current celebration, but it’s roots are older than that. The celebration started in Christianity as the day, (February 2nd), when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. This, they felt, would bring blessings to their household for the remaining winter.
As time rolled on the day evolved into another form. The following English folk song highlights the transition to weather prognostication.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn’t until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn’t until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.
Phil is not a Hedgehog in America because they don’t live here, it was the German settlers that brought the tradition to America.
Melinda
References:
February Awareness Days
If you’re into food this month is for you! I didn’t include them in my list but you can do a search and be surprised by the number of awareness days.
National Womans Physicians Day 3rd
Presidents Day – Third Monday in February
Ash Wednesday 22nd
National Cancer Prevention Month
American Heart Month
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
National Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Awareness Month International
Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
3 Tips For Dealing With Conflict
Conflict, while of course the foundational point of many stories we like to read, watch or even play, is not altogether that fun in real life. Unfortunately, you’re probably going to deal with conflict in some form or another during the course of your life, possibly many times over.
Of course, conflict is a spectrum and can come in many firms. It may take shape as a mild disagreement over a parking space, or perhaps having to tell your child off because they’re not staying in bed after putting them to sleep.
Sometimes, however, conflict can be more intensive than we had expected, and in order to properly go through it and contain it, it’s important to know where to begin. Some of the advice below will hopefully help you if you find yourself in a situation like this, allowing you to move forward with confidence:
Never Escalate
Conflict can get out of hand quite quickly, for instance, it’s not uncommon to see people pushing and shoving one another, and even breaking out into fights, over Black Friday sales where everyone is trying to push in and get the item they wish for. The truth is, though, that escalation can be in your control to some degree.
Avoid name-calling, or trying to ‘win’ the battle of who can say the most cutting thing. Instead, be clear, hold eye contact, and be firm in your speech. Remember that you don’t have to answer their questions, or reply to everything they say. If the person is irrational, it’s best to leave the situation. Even martial arts classes will teach their practitioners that leaving possible conflict are thousands of times better than a disagreement escalating into a fight. Note that this doesn’t mean standing up for yourself, it just means being realistic about the situation and always looking for an escape if necessary.
Understand Your Rights
Your rights are your rights, and you are permitted to exercise them. That’s what they’re there for. In some cases, you may be able to use professional help to better orchestrate a defense or seek compensation, such as with this car accident lawyer at Eric Ramos Law, PLLC.
Alternatively, reading up on the law about filming in public can help you shoot your travel video with a friend, and understand your exact rights should someone call a law enforcement official who instructs you to stop. Your rights help you understand when to press an issue, when to defend yourself, and when to comply.
Document The Issue
A dashcam, a mobile phone, or even making sure you’re in the coverage of a CCTV camera can help you better ensure that the situation is being covered and that if needed, you have the chance to refer back to this when required.
For instance, if you see someone keying your car, record them clearly instead of running out to confront them first. It will help you ensure transparency and also prove that you haven’t caused additional harm in the situation. This way, law enforcement will choose your side if they need to be involved.
With this advice, we hope you can better deal with conflict if it finds you.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-Gemma’s Little World
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Gemma’s Little World.
Gemma’s Little World
Hey everyone! My name is Gemma, and I’m a college student who loves to write. Here, I’ll share my ramblings, among other things. Please keep in mind that I will also repost my articles from my HerCampus page on this website after each semester. Thank you for reading!
Gemma is new to blogging and you need to check out her blog.
Melinda
Friday Quote 1/27/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Just Pondering
Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington
“You don’t always need a logical reason for doing everything in your life. Do it because you want; Because it’s fun; Because it makes you happy.
unknown
Melinda
How Starting A Garden Could Change Your Life
Being lost in life is par for the course; while it can feel like you’re the only one who understands it, in truth, everybody does on some level. The COVID-19 pandemic has truly made us all question who we are, and what is important to us. This can lead people to feel lost in their lives, or frustrated with the feeling that they have no control over what goes on around them.
There are so many ways to cope with change, but one surefire way to center calm in your life is to start a garden. You don’t have to have a huge amount of space or much experience – and in this blog, we’re going to show you how.
The psychological benefits of gardening
Psychologists have studied the psychological benefits of gardening for years. Gardening is often an activity that is practiced in rehabilitation facilities, elderly care centers, and mental health recovery centers because it helps people nurture the growth of living things.
The psychological benefits of gardening include:
- Relaxation. Using your hands to dig in the earth and make small steps towards a beautiful garden can be very relaxing. Plus, the color green is said to be calming to the human brain, too!
- Community. If you garden in a communal space, you can share the activity with like-minded people and grow into a new community. The COVID-19 pandemic has made people feel very isolated, so this sense of communal wellbeing is very important in 2021 and beyond.
- Gardening is an outdoor activity that gets you moving. Fresh air and exercise have numerous health benefits in themselves, and gardening is the perfect excuse to do both!
- Gardening helps you concentrate and engage with tasks in a healthy way. If you are recovering from a big change in your life, gardening can help you focus, and ultimately engage with new tasks in a meaningful way. Gardening is made up of small, simple tasks that can aid your brain’s recovery.
Tips for starting a garden in a small space
If all this sounds good to you, but you only have a small yard or even just a balcony, you might be thinking, ‘There’s no way I can start a garden in such a tiny space.’ Well, luckily, you’re wrong about that!
Firstly, find plants that are easy to grow in pots. These could be herbs, flowers, house plants, or even small vegetables, as long as they are able to grow in a potted environment rather than in the ground. This makes them easier to maintain in a small garden.
Next, you should research through reading books or watching YouTube videos, how to maintain your plants through hydration, the right kind of soil, and the right light levels. This research will help you expand your garden gradually as you cultivate these important skills for life!
If your garden gets out of control, you can contact local lawn fertilization and weed control services to help tame the wild beast!
Final Thoughts
Having a garden can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, burnout, or lack of focus. Plus, you’ll have a beautiful little green space that you can keep nurturing for years to come.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
National Stalking Awareness Month
I don’t think we talk about stalking enough, their arms are far and wide and stalking can get very dangerious including death.
You have to start the conversation early because social media can put your child at risk. Anyone who makes “friends” on the internet is at risk. It’s not just children at risk, anyone can be a target.
I could go on & on about children’s internet safety, so I’ll save that conversation for another post.
National Stalking Awareness Month
National Stalking Awareness Month in January was launched in 2004 by the National Center for Victims of Crime. The aim was to increase the public’s interpretation of the crime of stalking. Stalking may seem harmless to some, but history has proven that it can lead to murder among other graver crimes.
Many people use ‘stalking’ as a fun term for digging up details on our crushes through social media, but the true meaning of the word creates fear for those who have been victims of the crime. Stalking is more than just going through the statuses or photos of a person. It is following them around to discover every intimate detail about the life of the victim. Stalking includes phone calls, obsessive text messages, notes left on cars, creepy gifts, or messages on social media platforms.
Since many of these initial stages later lead to kidnapping, sexual violence, or physical attacks, ‘stalking’ is considered a crime, an offense under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007. According to law, the following counts as stalking: “the following of a person about or the watching or frequenting of the vicinity of, or an approach to a person’s place of residence, business or work or any place that a person frequents for any social or leisure activity.”
My Story
I’ve been stalked twice as a child and twice as an adult. The stalking as a child didn’t involve any interaction, they followed me around the apartment complex and the other followed me & my girlfriend home from school every day in their car.
As an adult, the stalking took on a new level, a scary one. I’ve known bloggers who were being stalked online and had to close down their blog. The last experience with stalking is written in a post, in the link in the sentence above.
This may be a harsh way to look at it but it’s true. People on the internet are “non’s”. What I mean by that is people can be anything they want online. We hear about these incindents every day. I didn’t always look at it this way but I’m older and can see the damage social media can do.
I knew three of my stalkers, I don’t know if there’s a statistic out there for it but my guess is many know their stalkers.
Melinda
References:
Blogger Highlight- clover and ivy
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, clover and ivy.
clover and ivy
The day-to-day ordinary parts of life come and go, and these events often pass as if they’re not consequential. Then there’s a blink, an instant we observe something ordinary that brings solace and breathes life into us, regardless of the news of the day.
These restorative ordinary parts of life are often what we find outside, in nature, and that’s what I aim to present in my blog. Trusty elements in the natural repetitive cycles we can note and depend on for comfort and reassurance. Elements we can go to when we need grounding. My tiny garden, the blue jay outside my window, water moving over worn stones in a running creek in the middle of the woods, the scattering of bright stars set in a dark sky among the top branches of the tallest trees, a fresh green leaf at the beginning of spring. These are elements that tell us, life is okay, things are as they should be.
You must stop by Clover and Ivy, it’s like taking a self-care moment for yourself.
Melinda
The Stigma of Addiction — Guest Blogger diary of a depressed graduate student
It was a hot summer in a small town on the Cape when, as I was holding my mother’s hand, I saw a homeless woman straight ahead who looked ill and was asking for money. To this day, I cannot remember much of my childhood, yet I still can picture that woman’s face. I asked […]
The Stigma of Addiction — diary of a depressed graduate student
Fun Facts
Thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week after learning some interesting things.
There are parts of Africa in all four hemispheres
The cornea is one of only two parts of the human body without blood vessels
The world’s first animated feature film was made in Argentina
German chocolate cake was invented in Texas
Marla Gibbs continued to work as a flight attendant for two years after being cast on a hit TV show
Enjoy!
Melinda
Reference:
Friday Quote 1/20/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
5 Creative Projects To Help Focus Your Mind
A creative project is a great way to focus your mind and spend some downtime. Art, gardening, craft, and DIY are all very therapeutic. You’ll feel more relaxed and gain some perspective. Creativity is the perfect way to channel stress and anxiety. Put your overactive mind to good use and make something you’ll cherish forever. There are plenty of different kinds of ideas depending on your interests. Here are five creative projects to help focus your mind.
Paint by numbers
Paint by Numbers is an example of a trendy craft gone viral during lockdown. It is incredibly therapeutic and relaxing, and not just for kids anymore. Even though you’re following instructions, it still requires a lot of patience and hard work. Paint by numbers is a good compromise if you like art but aren’t necessarily an experienced painter. You’ll be able to enjoy the results without being a natural artist. You can display your painting proudly for all your family and friends.
Winter Flowers
There are several reasons why gardening is so therapeutic. It’s a great way to get back in touch with nature and gain some perspective. Sun and fresh air also go a long way. Even when the seasons start to change, this doesn’t mean you have to be a fair-weather garden. There are plenty of winter flowers you can plant such as pansies and jasmine that grow all year round. If you want to keep it inside you could even build your own mini zen garden, or decorate the house with plants.
Customize your car
If you’re the type that likes to get your hands dirty then why not sink yourself into a project in the garage? Customize your car to your liking this fall. Automotive Stuff is an example of a site where you can find your own parts. You can even trade car parts online with other car owners. If you prefer, start small with the interior, or even work under the hood. If you’re passionate about cars you could invest in a used vehicle to revamp.
Make your own bath products
You’d be surprised how many simple products you can make at home. All you need is some essential oils and a couple of household ingredients, and you can make a variety of bath products. This is a more eco-friendly option as well, not to mention thrifty. If you want to use your creativity to make something you’re going to use, then bath products are ideal. You can even give them as gifts to your family and friends.
Upcycle your furniture
Whether you decide to flip the furniture or keep it, it’s easy to see why upcycling has become such a popular pastime. You could invest in some second-hand furniture at your local thrift store and turn it into a creative project. For example, you could find an old photo frame, print your Domonique Rodgers NC State print, and hang it on the wall. Creating Upcycling is a fun way to revamp furniture or repurpose other items. Perhaps you can find a new use for some old things around the house. It’s very therapeutic and satisfying.
This a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost
The DEA Is Coming After Your Medication Next
I had an Orville moment while talking to my pharmacist last week. One of the medications I take is on long-term backorder, WTF? No surprise, the DEA is now going after Mental Illness patients. They failed at curbing deaths from street drugs, let’s see how they can mismanage this focus project.
My pharmacist said the DEA went to manufacturers last year and ask them to cut or curb the production of my much-needed and addictive medication. Pharmacies don’t have a product their clients need and have a legal prescription for, but the DEA which has no medical background is coming in and cherry-picking drugs, then overriding the doctors and leaving patients without medication.
I’m scrambling now for an alternative. I’ve taken this drug for at least 20 years and need it to get out of bed. The DEA has hit the stimulant group first, it’s bad enough I can’t get the drug but think about parents who can’t get the medication for their kids. There’s a huge group who take stimulant drugs for ADD/ADHD.
I don’t know if the Truepill case is where it started from, no clue. Because of their unlawful practices, many will be left high and dry. I wholeheartedly believe unethical doctors like this will need to get the harsher sentence possible for the harm they’ve done.
DEA Serves Order to Show Cause on Truepill Pharmacy for its Involvement in the Unlawful Dispensing of Prescription Stimulants
WASHINGTON — Today, DEA served an Order to Show Cause on Truepill, a retail pharmacy that is alleged to have wrongfully filled thousands of prescriptions for stimulants used in the treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Truepill was the pharmacy for telehealth companies, including Cerebral, that marketed ADHD treatments, including Adderall ® and its generic forms, directly to consumers using Internet advertisements and social media. Cerebral arranged for patients to receive prescriptions for ADHD treatments through a telehealth visit, and for Truepill to fill those prescriptions.
“DEA will relentlessly pursue companies and pharmacies that seek to profit from unlawfully dispensing powerful and addictive controlled substances at the expense of the safety and health of the American people,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The men and women of the DEA remain committed to ensuring that every American can access essential medicines when they are lawfully prescribed and dispensed.”
According to the Order to Show Cause, between September 2020 and September 2022, Truepill filled more than 72,000 controlled substance prescriptions, 60 percent of which were for stimulants, including generic forms of Adderall®. In numerous instances, Truepill dispensed controlled substances pursuant to prescriptions that were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice. An investigation into Truepill’s operations revealed that the pharmacy filled prescriptions that were: unlawful by exceeding the 90-day supply limits; and/or written by prescribers who did not possess the proper state licensing.
An Order to Show Cause is an administrative action to determine whether a DEA Certificate of Registration should be revoked. Until a determination is made, this action does not affect a registrant’s ability to handle or distribute a controlled substance.
If you take a medication that is addictive or has to stay in safe at the pharmacy, your drug may be next. I see them going after stimulant drugs, sleep drugs, and Xanax. I’m pulling this out of thin air, I don’t have any data from the DEA other than this article. This is my best guess. I hope I’m wrong because I take all of those types of drugs too.
Melinda
Deep Thoughts
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Continue reading “Deep Thoughts”Blogger Highlight-Smirk Pretty
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Smirk Pretty.
Smirk Pretty
I design rich, active learning environments and facilitate conversations that draw on the collaborative capacity of people and teams. My diverse approaches are grounded in reflective practice as we come together to articulate our purpose and the values driving us. I seek to cultivate the relationship-oriented leadership skills of students and teams, engage questions about our shared future, and create opportunities to put innovative ideas to work. With a commitment to mentoring emerging leaders, my current focus is on improving educational equity and drawing voices from the margins to the center of every critical conversation.
Her blog is very unique and you will want to see her site.
Melinda
Happy Birthday Granny
Many of you know how much I love my granny. She’s the most inspirational person I know. She survived living in West Dallas when it was unincorporated land. It was just outside Downtown Dallas. West Dallas was where the poor and the criminals lived.
She went crossed eyes at three years old, her whole life was dependent on others. She was not happy about having to ask. She didn’t want to owe anyone. You can understand the attitude if you lived in her neighborhood.
In 1930 her father died from Phenomena, hard to say if was work-related. Her father was digging out the foundation for the Sears Tower. I have a postcard that shows using horses to chart off the rocks and dirt.
My granny is the youngest and was living at home when her father died. Her brothers were on the dark side of the law, they helped feed the two.
There are many actions you’ve taken that are inspirations but this story I love the most is.
Granny married at 17 years old and her marriage was over shortly after my father was born. Taking the Trolly to work in freezing cold. It’s also WWII by then, you couln’t even change jobs, all jobs related to the war were frozen. She raised my ADHD dad by herself until he was 10 years old and she marries my gramps. We never talked about it but I’m sure there were some hard times with my father adjusting.
My granny would clean houses to make extra money for my clothes. One day she fell from the 2nd story and crushed her ankles and feet. This may have stopped someone else but you were determined to get out of the wheelchair. I don’t recall how long it took but you were walking with a walker soon.
Close to 20 years later, granny woke up and could not walk. Since we had no idea what the problem was we took it day by day. The only thing I could do was make it fun so I acted like her wheelchair was a race car. I would push her down a straight section and hop on to see how far we could go, I would make all types of car noises like revving your engines. She loved out.
Nothing broke your heart like Dady’s suicide, but you didn’t give up on life.
I held your head so close to mine, I wanted to feel the relief live her body.
I love you!
Melinda
Just Pondering
Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington
Happiness looks like?
Happiness feels like:
Happiness sounds like:
Happiness smells like:
Melinda
Fun Facts
Thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week after learning some interesting things.
The world’s oldest wooden wheel has been around for more than 5,000 years
Dead skin cells are a main ingredient in household dust
Sudan has more pyramids than any country in the world
The bumblebee bat is the world’s smallest mammal
The circulatory system is more than 60,000 miles long
Enjoy!
Melinda
Reference:
Friday Quote 1/13/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Bursitis and Fibromyalgia
I’ve been struggling for years with Bursitis in both hips, and while steroid shots help they don’t last long. Two weeks ago I had the Fibromyalgia flare, the worst I’ve ever had and it threw me for a loop. My hips were hurting so bad I could not walk without severe pain, and then the pain moved to my knee for one day.
As the pain moved around my body, I realized this was from the flare and decided to research Bursitis and Fibromyalgia, let’s see if Bursitis is common in patients with Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia-related bursitis
There have been reports of bursitis occurring in association with fibromyalgia. There are a number of painful soft-tissue conditions that are seen alongside fibromyalgia. Rotator cuff tendonitis, pes anserinus bursitis, and lateral epicondylitis are particularly common in patients with primary and secondary fibromyalgia, according to research.
Types of bursitis that have been reported in patients with fibromyalgia include:
- Olecranon bursitis – elbow bursitis affecting the bursa found at the tip of the elbow.
- Pes anserinus bursitis – bursitis affecting the bursa found beneath the knee on the inner side of the leg
- Subacromial bursitis – shoulder bursitis causing pain in the upper shoulder or upper third of the arm, limiting shoulder movement without pain
- Trochanteric bursitis – bursitis affecting the hip bursae.
Trochanteric bursitis is a common condition in patients living with fibromyalgia. Trochanteric bursitis develops when two particular bursae in the hip become inflamed. One bursa is located on the greater trochanter and the other, called the iliopsoas bursa, is found on the inside of the hip in the groin.
Typically, olecranon bursitis is seen less commonly in conjunction with fibromyalgia.
In one study of 554 patients with fibromyalgia, it was found that the patients reported a higher incidence of bursitis.
Treatment
Bursitis generally gets better on its own. Conservative measures, such as rest, ice and taking a pain reliever, can relieve discomfort. If conservative measures don’t work, you might require:
- Medication. If the inflammation in your bursa is caused by an infection, your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic.
- Therapy. Physical therapy or exercises can strengthen the muscles in the affected area to ease pain and prevent recurrence.
- Injections. A corticosteroid drug injected into the bursa can relieve pain and inflammation in your shoulder or hip. This treatment generally works quickly and, in many cases, one injection is all you need.
- Assistive device. Temporary use of a walking cane or other device will help relieve pressure on the affected area.
- Surgery. Sometimes an inflamed bursa must be surgically drained, but only rarely is surgical removal of the affected bursa necessary.
A small poll was conducted by Lee Good from Fibro Connect’s Facebook page and 51% of people with Fibromyalgia had Bursitis. I’m not surprised by the results after reading the above information.
If you are experiencing pain in one of the areas listed above go see your Orthopedic Surgeon for evaluation. Most General Practice Doctors do not know how to give Bursa shots. It’s a two-part process and the shot is painful.
I’m not a medical doctor, I’m speaking for experience and research.
Melinda
References:
23 Small Things to Improve Your Wellness — Guest Blogger Olive Tree Saints
Small changes can really add up when it comes to wellness. Here are 23 small things you can do this year to improve your wellness.
23 Small Things to Improve Your Wellness — Olive Tree Saints
January Writing Prompts
The January Writing Prompts are hosted by Sheryl at A Chronic Voice. Be sure to check out her blog, the archives are choked full of information on Chronic Illnesses.
Here are the prompts:
SUMMARISING
CROSSING
MOVING
REBUILDING
EXPECTING
I’m using Moving, Expecting, and Rebuilding.
Moving
After spending most of last year sick, sicker than normal, I’m ready to move forward. This month the Tardive Dyskinesia finally went away after 8-9 months. I don’t know if it ran its course or if all the prayers did the healing. My bottom teeth have some issues that require my dentist to look at.
Expecting
I’m always expecting a good day and if it doesn’t happen, I’ll expect it the next day. I only look back to learn from my experiences. The same goes for when I see a new doctor, stay positive until they dismiss you. I was dismissed by my last Rheumatologist before she even did the exam, she said I wouldn’t need to see her again. My husband and I thought she didn’t listen to anything I said. Then she diagnosed me with Sicca and didn’t even tell me or write me a prescription. I do keep expecting the good.
Rebuilding
Due to my Immune Disorder, we’re still in full-blown Covid mode. I don’t feel comfortable eating out or being in large crowds, the only places I’ve been since Covid started are the doctor’s office and Starbucks drive-thru. That’s limiting and it makes me yearn for my younger years before illnesses. I work hard to be thankful for what I have and acknowledge staying indoors will end. I bought a bike for my Christmas but balance problems and dizziness prevent me from enjoying the good days. I’m working to rebuild a life, a fullfilling life.
Melinda
The Chronius Health APP Is All You Need To Manage Your Chronic Illness
There are a number of health apps out there but they don’t cover all of your health needs. Chronius Health is an all-encompassing app that guides you thru your health journey. The app was born out of frustration and a desire for a more manageable patient experience.
About the Founder
At age 25, our founder Danielle was thriving, working a dream job as an economic policy advisor at the White House. She was thriving except for one small thing — nagging fatigue and joint pain. She assumed it was due to her long work hours, but it just wouldn’t go away — that fatigue she felt in her bones.
Danielle never stopped being her own advocate, and, armed with medical journal articles, she identified the cause of her new symptoms, requested new testing, and ended up with two new inflammatory disease diagnoses — all it turns out, stemming from her initial autoimmune disease.
The breaking point came when Danielle ended up in the ICU for a second time. While lying in her hospital bed she wished for someone who could guide her through this health journey. Someone who could organize her data, who could help her find the right doctor, who could explain the complicated medical terms, and who could light the pathway for the next steps in her diagnosis and disease management process. With millions of others facing similar diagnoses, she knew she couldn’t be alone in her desire for an easier patient experience. From that hospital bed, the idea for Chronius was born.
About Chronius
Chronius empowers patients with chronic conditions to take charge of their care by automating health data collection and organization, streamlining appointment preparation, and providing a map for each patient’s care journey. Having a chronic illness is hard enough, and by building a platform for patients, by patients, Danielle hopes that every patient — whether they are facing an uncertain diagnosis, or trying to find a treatment that works, or just need help managing the “full time job” of being chronically ill — will get the support and relief they deserve.
Being a patient doesn’t have to be a full-time job.
Chronius Services
- Integrated 360 integrated health history
- Syptomtom & medication tracking and insight
- 1-click appointment preparation
- Personalized care journey maps
- One on one Care guides
- Vetted medical context and education
Free Tools
- Get instant access to 130 free videos to guide your POTS exercise program
The Chronius Health App is in beta-testing by chronic illness patients like you. They are set to go live in three months, set your calendar. Check out the website to see more information.
Melinda
January Awareness Days
There are some great Awareness Days during the month of January. This is a condensed version if you want a complete list search for January Awareness Days and you’ll find several lists that are much longer.
Cervical Health Awareness Month
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Stalking Awareness Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Obesity Awareness Week 10th-16th
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 11th
European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 27th
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-Issababy Creates
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Issababy Creates.
This perhaps the least specific blog you will find. My interests include: DIY projects, Yoga, writing, photography, reading, camping, hiking, or something altogether
different depending on my current mood. I’ve never been pigeon holed into one category so neither is my blog.
Her blog is so much fun, you have to check her out.
Melinda
Book Review I Can’t Have That I Have Allergies by Katie Kinsella
I want to give a special thanks to Managing Editor Soraya Nair for sending me I Can’t Have That I Have Allergies by Katie Kinsella for review.
Blurb
All the animals in the woodland are headed to a party – that is, except Hedgehog, who can’t attend because of his food allergies. But one of his kind friends, Deer, decides to learn more about his condition, and she comes up with a plan so that Hedgehog can safely celebrate, too!
I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies is a sensitively written story by a mother whose daughter has life-threatening allergies. It will enlighten those unfamiliar with the severity of such allergies, and it will help children who suffer from them to know that they aren’t alone.
My Thoughts
Have you missed school on a special day? You were probably sad that you could not participate in the fun. The Hedgehog has a similar story, he has severe allergies which limit what he can eat. It’s not fun going to a birthday party and not being able to eat cake.
As each of the Hedgehog’s friends stop in on the way to a birthday party, he explains why he can’t go to the party. His friends go on their way but they have a big surprise for him. They cared so much for their friend, they contacted his mother to get a list of what he can’t eat and they made a cake he could. They show up at Hedgehog’s house and have a big Birthday party which allows the Hedgehog to have fun and not worry about what he can or can’t eat.
The book does an excellent job of describing Allergies children can understand. I think the bigger picture is when Hedgehog share’s with his friends why he can’t go, they didn’t abandon him, they embraced him instead. It’s important for kids to know they can talk about their problems instead of keeping everything in.
For every parent who has a child with Allergies of any kind, this is the perfect book to show if you share what is going on with your friends they will have your back.
Trigger Publishing
TriggerHub.org is the first mental health organization of its kind. We are bringing mental health recovery and balance to millions of people worldwide through the power of our books.
We have built a first-class resource of curated books produced and published in-house to create a unique collection of mental health recovery titles unrivaled in quality and selection. We work with experts, psychologists, doctors, and coaches to produce our books, but we also work with real people looking to share their stories to reach out to others and provide hope, understanding, and compassion. These brave authors also aim to raise awareness of mental health’s “human” face and its impact on everyday lives.
Melinda
Looking for the Light 