I spent the past few days alternating between resting, stretching, and cleaning. That may sound boring, however I am pretty excited about it. My house has gone a long time without a deep clean, and various obligations have meant I couldn't use my energy toward whipping it back into shape. All summer, I have looked... Continue Reading →
Am I an Evil Stepmom?
Thanks to Disney, it is well known that stepmoms spend a good chunk of their time formulating plots to ruin their stepdaughter's lives. I am no exception. One night this past winter, I could not sleep (which is to say, it was like every other night). As I lie there, trying to sleep, I began... Continue Reading →
In Sickness and in Health – When Sickness Comes First
I just got home from my appointment, which went well. It was a long day; we left at noon and got home at eight-thirty. I am not thinking about what a long day it was. What I am thinking about is my husband, Jake. I am feeling very appreciative to him for driving me to... Continue Reading →
Six Year Old Identifies Cure
A six year old's ideas on possible treatments....
3 Masterpieces From My Weekend
" It may sound lame, but remember to enjoy the little masterpieces in your own life."
Honeymooning While Chronically Ill
Thanks to lots of rest, I am finally starting to feel a little bit less rundown, have gotten back in touch with my doctors, and have had energy to work on writing this post about our honeymoon. I'll post wedding photos once those are in. We had 3 days between our wedding and honeymoon. I... Continue Reading →
“The Moonlight Sonata at the Mayo Clinic”
Did you know I am an avid reader? I've been escaping into dystopian and sci-fi type novels, but suddenly I was in the mood for a book with a chronically ill protagonist. I've been in a bit of a funk and I thought a narrator who voices my thoughts, who lives life the way I... Continue Reading →
POTS Alert Cards in English and Spanish
Going to a country where I am unable to speak the native language was a bit concerning for me as someone with a rare medical condition. I knew I needed to make sure I would be able to somehow communicate information about my medical condition to health professionals if the situation were to arise. Learning... Continue Reading →
Patiently Proactive
Patience: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset Proactive: creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened I am a proactive person and always have been. I don't wait around for the world to magically make... Continue Reading →
“How would a doctor determine if I have Hyperadrenergic POTS?”: All About Catecholamine Testing in POTS
To find out if it a patient has Hyperadrenergic POTS, specialized doctors typically order an endocrine test called a Catecholamine Blood Test. I had my test performed at Mayo Clinic's Autonomic Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Want proof? Here is a glamor shot taken just prior to the test: Okay, time to get serious! The Catecholamine... Continue Reading →