My Posts

When I became bedridden six years ago, bathing in bed was among the many challenges I faced. I didn’t have the option of using a shower chair with arms or even a shower chair with wheels (though now I love these things). Getting (and staying) clean when you can’t get out of bed is incredibly […]
Read MoreThe last time I saw Shannon, she couldn’t hear my voice. We had recently started what some might call “chronic illness dating.” My case of myalgic encephalomyelitis — a multisystem, post-viral illness that Dr. Anthony Fauci has compared to “long haul” COVID-19 — made it impossible for me to speak audibly as I struggled to […]
Read MoreI wrote a book on my smartphone. It took me the better part of a decade, but I was able to type out all 90000 words of my memoir, When Force Meets Fate, on a tiny 4.7 inch iPhone screen. Doing 90000 of anything is a lot, but writing 90000 in words on such a […]
Read MoreTears are gushing out of my eyes, down my cheeks, dampening my shirt. These tears are a mix of joy and sadness. Joy for having just walked for the first time in half a decade. Sadness for having had to live through those five years. I’ve been sick since 2010, but a few years into […]
Read MoreIf you’re at all like me, then you’ve probably wondered if chronic illness burnout is a thing. Well, I’m here to tell you that it absolutely is a thing. The fact that you are even wondering about it means it is indeed a thing. Chronic Illness Burnout vs Medical Burnout Some people call it chronic […]
Read MoreIt’s been a rough year. I think we can all agree on that, so I thought I’d share some good news—my health has been improving lately. The other day I got out of bed and stood up three times in the span of a few hours, the most I’ve done in my walking rehabilitation in […]
Read MoreIt’s hard not to be consumed by bitterness and anger. In the macro sense, it’s hard for me because, well, my life hasn’t turned out the way I imagined it would. I’m 32 and haven’t walked in more than five years, I’ve been through intense physical and emotional trauma, and because of my illness, I […]
Read MoreFor me, it all comes down to the simple truth that if I don’t take unsolicited advice seriously, I won’t get upset that random strangers with no credentials or medical training think they know what’s best for my health.
Read MoreIt’s hard to say exactly why I’ve been able to sustain my recovery without IV fluids.
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