Chronic illness and perception of control When you read the the previous post it sounds ideal. Having this resilience and positive coping strategies to fling out with any stressful situation. Dealing with negative emotions. Sounds awesome. But from my experience coping is a process not an endpoint. I am quite aware of one very poignant... Continue Reading →
The perception of control we have is necessary for our well-being and living in the world. It is sort of a necessary fiction we tell ourselves. When you think of it philosophically there isn’t much control we truly have over anything. But perception is reality for our brains. Perceived personal control Perceived personal control is... Continue Reading →
Setbacks when it comes to chronic illness seem to just be inevitable. Sometimes they are not setbacks at all but our new state of the normal. And sometimes they are short setbacks. Other times they are substantial setbacks. A setback with our health can be caused by many things. A medication change, a stressor or... Continue Reading →
I got my lumbar puncture results back and a call from my neurologist. I do in fact have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This has been after years of abnormal MRIs with lesions but my neurologist insisting I didn't present with MS. Because I have fibromyalgia and chronic migraine- so a lot of overlap in symptoms. And... Continue Reading →
It seems like stress is a constant factor in our existence that we cannot banish. It is embedded within the existence of chronic illness and pain. And as a consequence of chronic pain and illness on our lives as well. And those consequences in our lives we have to live with; dealing with doctors, employers,... Continue Reading →
The practice of self-compassion can help us avoid the trappings of self-limiting or destructive thought processes, like the critical inner voice, that often diminish our motivation or initiative. Neff’s findings show that self-compassion can reduce anxiety and actually help us make real changes in our lives. Neff’s study found “Using a correlational design, the study found that self-compassion had a significant... Continue Reading →
Ennui A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. (Google) There is this state that comes after a setback when you have yet to quite adjust to things - this stagnant, listless, lethargic state I get in. One of ennui. I find myself here. Trying to move forward but... Continue Reading →
There is a huge problem with diagnosis with comorbid conditions. As in all this overlap of symptoms. I really need to find answers but answers are incredibly hard to find now. I wonder if it isn't anything New at all bur rather something that has been ignored for too long. I have: Chronic migraine Chronic... Continue Reading →
I bought myself a nice car. Used. But shiny and new to me. A 2013 Kia Soul. But with the drop foot on my dominate let I soon realized I needed to fit it with a Left Foot Accelerator. You can get hand accelerators as well, but my right hand is also losing dexterity- so... Continue Reading →
Me: I’m going to clean the house in One day! Body: Hell no, you’re not. Me: Yep, getting started now. *Does one thing* Body: Here is some fatigue and pain for you. Price of that one thing. You're welcome. Me: Damn it! Fact is, everything has a price and cost And you have a couple... Continue Reading →
Being productive on disability takes on different meaning than when I was working. I have to account for pain, fatigue, vertigo, muscle weakness and my mobility issues. In order words, productivity takes planning. I plan what I need to do and I figure out how to get it done. And I do not feel like... Continue Reading →
Chinese meditation balls are called Baoding balls or sometimes Zen mediation balls. How to use: They are two balls you can roll around in your palm in a circular motion. Some of them, like mine, have a chime in them. As a beginner, as you rotate them the balls maintain contact the whole time. As... Continue Reading →
Chronically Nikki 