chronic-illness
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Book Review: This is Body Grief by Jayne Mattingly
Title: This is Body Grief Author: Jayne Mattingly Publication Date: March 18, 2025 Great for: Psychological support, newly diagnosed, feeling seen This is Body Grief is a non-fiction book about Body Grief, which is a term that puts a name to the grief involved in, well, having a body that can get sick, get hurt, Continue reading
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My Appointment with Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology in Scottsdale, Arizona

After the last few weeks have been less than ideal for me, I felt like I needed a change. I felt let down by my doctor’s office and their lack of taking my reports of pain and struggle seriously. I felt helpless, a little, and hopeless. I read a book recently that discussed Body Grief, Continue reading
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Stuck Between A Rock and a Hospital Place

Well, things have gone downhill since my last post. After starting Prednisone two weeks ago, nothing got better. Nothing. Unlike my last flare-up, I didn’t respond at all to the steroids at all. I tried reaching out to my doctor’s office a week ago to see what else we could do, and, because my timing Continue reading
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My Introduction to Inflectra

Well, long time no talk. There’s a lot to catch up on. So, let’s jump in! After my last Humira dose on Christmas day, the welting persisted. I reached out to my doctor’s office to let my gastro know I still had the issue even with the dermatologist’s prescription and she immediately put in a Continue reading
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Trouble in Humiradise

Okay, I’m back with a three-month update since starting Humira. I’ve got good news and bad news. First, the good news! Humira is working! My inflammation markers are all down into the normal range except calprotectin which is much, much lower than it was before. So, yay! I’m feeling better, eating more, and gaining weight. Continue reading
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On Well-Meaning Friends and The Diets They Recommend

I’m not exactly shy about telling people, friends or less-than, that I have IBD. I’ll talk and talk about my colonoscopies, my stool tests, and my symptoms because I don’t see it as something to be kept secret. There’s nothing wrong with keeping medical issues close to your chest, but I choose not to because Continue reading