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You are viewing 20 entries, 20 into the past September 30th, 200907:57 pm: Rob & I in Niagara
As some of you may know, & others may not, Rob & I are currently on vacation in Niagara Falls. Now, this isn't really so much about our trip as it is about a revelation I had today. Because of incident back a few months back, for our trip this time around, the hotel manager upgraded us for our entire vacation to a fireplace/jacuzzi suite. That in its self is sweet, but the room also have, in addition to the normal amenities plus the fireplace (it's a faux fireplace) plus the jacuzzi, it also has sitting area. Most hotel rooms, at least here, have a desk and a chair, however ours has a sitting area with two chairs and a love seat with a coffee table as well as the desk. Kinda cool. But, the one additional thing that resulted in my revelation is the mirror over the bed. I had a rest when I got back to the hotel after dinner before heading down to the pool. I tend to lay down most comfortably in the buff. So, there I am, laying on the bed and caught the image of my nekkid figure in the mirror's reflection. At our apartment we don't have a full length mirror. Even looking face front doesn't really give you the real picture & I don't really think to check out the profile of my body when I do get a full length mirror. But I caught a glimpse of myself as I was laying down, in my side, in profile to the mirror. & I saw exactly how horribly big I am. I was repulsed. I think I now know why Rob's not really all that interested in me anymore. It's, well, disgusting.. Something needs to be done. *I* need to do something. . *sigh* Posted via email from Kelli's Posterous
September 15th, 200909:01 pm: Parking in the 'Handicapped' Spots
Can Those with an Invisible Illness Park in the Blue Spots without Others Seeing Red? By: Lisa Copen OPINION, August 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Do you know the fine for using someone else's handicapped parking permit is $300?" "That parking spot is saved for the disabled! You should be ashamed of yourself!" Nearly everyone with an invisible illness has been told, "You don't look disabled to me!" One of my friends replied, "Well, you don't look stupid to me." I just bite my lip to try to prevent the tears from forming, broken-hearted that I appear to be deceptive, when I would do anything to give back this parking perk that I use on a rare occasion. As I circle the parking lot a fourth time on this day I hope for a spot to open up within two-hundred yards of the store, but there is nothing remotely close at this bustling superstore where I need to buy my prescriptions and milk for my toddler. My rheumatoid arthritis is flaring badly, causing extra fluid in my knees to dislocate pieces of loose bones. Every step is painful and unpredictable. Finally I sigh in resignation and pull into the farthest "blue parking spot." I reach for the placard--the one that has a bold white symbol of a wheelchair--and no, I don't have a wheelchair--yet. So after fifteen years of having this "privilege" at my disposal I still warily scan the area before reluctantly dangling the placard from the rear view mirror. Is there anyone watching, wondering, or waiting, ready to confront me? I've had scathing notes left on my windshield and many people, empowered by television exposés, have approached me with their opinions. Judgmental expressions and whispers sting just as much. My husband and I adopted a baby and when I would get my child of the car I would avoid eye contact with onlookers because I could hear their whispers of, "She's not disabled! Or--if she is--she has no right to have a child!" Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (133 million) live with a chronic illness. It could be diabetes, cancer, cystic fibrosis, fibromyalgia or even chronic back pain. Many illnesses make walking long distances impossible because of limited lung capacity, physical pain, or unpredictable numbness in the legs. According to statistics provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, about 96% of these illnesses are invisible. There is no sign of the illness existing, nor the use of an assistive device like a cane or a wheelchair. I began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in 2002, which is held this year Sept 10-16, 2007, after witnessing thousands of people who had frustrations, fears, loneliness, and bitterness, about feeling invalidated. One's illness, age, diagnosis, or level of disease degeneration, doesn't change the emotional pain. Strangers and loved ones alike doubt the severity of our illness or even the diagnosis. We've heard, "You look so good! You must be feeling better." But we don't feel better. We just bought some fake tan in a bottle and pasted on a smile. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is a time to acknowledge that invisible illness is more prevalent than we'd imagine and everyone--both those who are healthy and ill--can make a difference by encouraging someone with an invisible illness, rather than tearing someone down. Are those parking spots painted blue because they give so many people the blues? That small area of square footage is a breeding ground for many frustrations as we are forced to defend our illness and character to total strangers. I'd gladly trade in my placard indefinitely for just a week of having my old body back when I could run, sit on the floor, or even hold a fork without tendons popping out of place. I anticipate the day when a nationally designated system is formed. Texas law states that blue placards are for those who use assistive devices; red permits are for people with a "condition that impairs mobility." In other states, red symbolizes six months of disability and blue is permanent. It's confusing! And for one with invisible illness, the wheelchair symbol discredits both our physical pain and--in the eyes of others--our reputation. Until then, we rely on Invisible Illness Week bumper stickers. The next time you see a healthy looking man loading groceries into his car--parked in the "blue spot"--don't glare. Stop and offer to help him, or just smile nicely, giving him the benefit of the doubt. Seventy percent of suicides have uncontrollable physical pain as a factor. Your smile may save his life. At the least, it will astonish him, perhaps providing him with genuine encouragement he hasn't felt for months.
Source: <a href=http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/678833929.html>http://www.christiannewswire.com</a> Posted via email from Kelli's Posterous
08:43 pm: Invisible Illness Week Seminars on iTunes
Visit ITunes and download the Invisible Illness Week seminars for free on your ipod. Now you can listen to them on your MP3 player, ipod, etc. Great while going for a walk or when you are stuck in bed. How cool is that?? Posted via email from Kelli's Posterous
September 14th, 200912:38 pm: Untitled
20 Things NOT to say to a Chronically Ill Person  Image by Desirée Delgado via Flickr
These lists are compliments of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week at www.invisbleillness.com. Get involved in Invisible Illness Week this year during the week of September 14-20, 2009, including the 5-day virtual conference online. Things NOT TO SAY to a Chronically Ill Person #1 – You look so good today! #2 – You just need to get out of the house more. #3 – If you stop thinking about it, the pain will go away. #4 – You should just pray harder. #5 – You must not want to get better if you won’t try this... #6 – When I was your age I didn’t have the luxury of being sick. #7 – You’re sick again? #8 – I wish I could just sit around all day. #9 – No pain, no gain! #10 – I’d be sick too if I saw doctors as much as you do. #11 – I have this juice that is working wonders… #12 – You must still have sin in your life. #13 – If you got a job you’d have something else to think about. #14 – Your illness is caused by stress. #15 – You can’t be in that much pain. Maybe you just want attention... #16 – What have you done to make God so mad at you? #17 – There are easier ways to get attention. #18 – It’s not good for your kids to always hear you whining. #19 – When are you going to get rid of that cane? #20 – I’m so glad to see you out and about feeling all better. Posted via email from Kelli's Posterous
12:36 pm: Untitled
Tweets! 20 Things to Say to an Ill Person  We’re Tweeting these for 20 days, 7/13 - 8/1
Thank you for tweeting any of them any time! Oftentimes people are told what not to say. This is a great help in giving them an idea of what to say! Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments below. We’d love to hear them!
#1 I don’t know what to say, but I care about you #2 I’m going to the grocery, what can I get you? #3 Do you just need to vent? I’m all ears! #4 If you need a good cry, I’ve got plenty of tissues and a shoulder #5 I really admire how you are handling this. I know its difficult. #6 I’m bringing dinner Thursday. Do you want lasagna or chicken? #7 Can I get your kids for a playdate? My kids are bored. #8 I cant sit still. Got any laundry I can fold? #9 What can I pray for you about that no one else is praying for? #10 Can I bring a few friends over to clean your house fast? #11 I don’t have any idea what you are feeling, but I will always listen #12 I saw these flowers and thought they’d cheer you today #13 How can our church encourage those with chronic illness? #14 Tell me what it is really like to be you for a day #15 I made too much dinner for our family. Can I bring you some? #16 you are amazing. How has your illness given you appreciation for life? #17 Do you want me to come over while you wait for test results? (or go to the doctor’s office with you) #18 You listen to me better than any other friend. Thanks #19 I have Monday free if you need me to run some errands or take you #20 Tell me about this God who gets you thru 1 more day? Source: http://invisibleillnessweek.com/?p=1331 Posted via email from Kelli's Posterous
April 2nd, 200907:35 pm: What Color do Your Eyes Reflect?
Kelli took the What Color do Your Eyes Reflect? quiz and the result is Blue
Your eyes reflect the color Blue. You are a very calm and idealistic. You have many dreams and aspirations that you want to fullfill. You are a creative person and are very interested in things and people that are different from you. You have an urge to be noticed by people and you have natural talents. you like to express yourself in many ways and you think about life alot. You tend to be the motivater in a group and you dont have a solid opinion on things. Because you dont have solid opinions you do not like to choose between things. You can also be forgetful and lazy at times. You like to be alone sometimes. and you can be worried and sad about many things. In all you are Deep and Idealistic.Tags: blue, emotions, meme, quiz
01:19 pm: Oddness while sleeping
I had an odd dream... It involved a friend of mine from Highschool.. Michelle.. an ex who comes across gay & ends up getting vaporated (not cuz he's gay).. and summer school (non-remedial).. Programs based on scouting.. I wasn't allowed to be in the class I wanted to be cuz I was over qualified & oddly, Stephen was in it (the class).. & they were trying to upgrade me.. & my sister & my mom called to babysit while I am here trying to sort out this class thing & Rob's sitting there expectign a ride to work cuz he'd taken the morning off to see his son (Stephen) into his first day of school..
I'll see if I can work up more details later.. so this actually has some sence to it.. and a time line..Tags: death, dream, friends, real, rob, scouting, sleep, stephen
March 30th, 200911:17 pm:
How to Give a Killer Massage - 20 massage techniques to help relieve back pain and stress, for your special someone. By Katy Dreyfus http://www.lhj.com/health/stress/relaxation-techniques/how-to-give-a-killer-massage/Share this with someone special, so you can GET the killer massage.. *g* Tags: article, health, massage, treatment, women's health
11:00 pm: Sexual Dreams
You both dream about sex, but you and your partner may have very different things in mind.
( Read more... )Tags: article, dream, emotions, sex, sexuality
March 9th, 200903:22 pm: MARCH IS ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH
MARCH IS ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH
Backed by Congressional legislation, the Endometriosis Research Center is again celebrating March as “Endometriosis Awareness Month” in honor of all those affected by the disease.
Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease in which tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) migrates outside the womb and implants in other areas of the body. The disorder, for which there is no absolute cure, affects over 5.5 million women and girls in the U.S. alone and more than 70 million globally. Often stigmatized as simply “killer cramps,” symptoms include painful periods, pelvic pain at any point in a woman or girl's cycle, infertility, pain with sexual activity, gastrointestinal and urinary tract difficulties and much more. The disease can even implant in areas like lungs, diaphragm, and in some cases, even the brain.
Moreover, research has shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and autoimmune disorders in those with Endometriosis, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself. Researchers remain unsure as to the definitive cause of Endometriosis, which can only be diagnosed through surgery, though studies indicate that genetics, immune dysfunction and exposure to environmental toxicants may be contributing factors. The economic impact of Endometriosis is staggering: American businesses lose billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and work time because of the disease.
The ERC maintains that Endometriosis is more than just painful periods. “We continue to find that the disease remains misdiagnosed, misunderstood and ineffectively treated, despite being one of the most prevalent causes of hysterectomy, infertility and pelvic pain in women and girls around the globe," said Michelle E. Marvel, ERC Founder & Executive Director. "Despite hallmark symptoms, the average delay in diagnosis remains an astounding 9 years, and a patient will seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed," she added. Endometriosis can affect women from all walks of life ranging from adolescence to post-menopause, and be so painful as to render a woman or girl unable to go about her normal routine. “It is not unusual for a patient to undergo repeated surgeries and embark on different medical therapies; many carrying significantly negative side effects and none offering long-term relief,” noted Marvel.
A growing number of younger women are also being diagnosed annually, with studies indicating that as many as 70% of teenagers with chronic pelvic pain ultimately have Endometriosis proven by surgery. Studies have also shown that Endometriosis may have an even bigger impact on younger patients: in those under 22 years of age, the rate of recurrence was double that of older women (35% versus 19%). Studies have also revealed that the disease behaves differently in younger women, leading researchers to believe it may be a different form of Endometriosis altogether. “It is imperative that society begins to recognize the far-reaching impact this illness continues to have on patients of all ages, not just those trying to conceive, in order to ensure that our daughters do not continue to suffer as we have,” noted Heather Guidone, an ERC Executive Board Member and the Program Director of the Center for Endometriosis Care.
The ERC strongly advocates for early intervention, timely diagnosis and efficacy of treatment for the disease. Through their efforts to raise public awareness in the medical and lay communities, the organization hopes to facilitate better support of patients, increase physician understanding of the disease and raise research funding, which will hopefully lead to more effective treatments and ultimately, a cure. The ERC, unique in that it is a free organization, has traditionally celebrated the entire month of March as Awareness Month, coinciding with the organization’s annual anniversary.
The ERC is sponsoring various education and awareness initiatives throughout March across the nation this year, ranging from the annual offering of their Nancy Petersen, RN Nursing Scholarship to their “Adopt a Doctor” program to various fundraising for the cure events. To kick off Awareness Month, renowned Artist Audrey Fisher will be hosting “Art for Endometriosis,” an exciting event to be held at Taxi2 Gallery in Denver, CO. For more information on this and other awareness month endeavors, please visit http://www.endocenter.org/artforendo.htm or contact Denise Childs, ERC Director of Fundraising, at FundraisingDirector@EndoCenter.org.Tags: charity, chronic pain, disability, doctors, ea, endo, endometriosis, endometriosis association, endometriosis awareness, health, women's health
07:38 am: Endo links to Fibromyalgia & other conditions..
This sucks..
A New Study
The September 17, 2002 issue of Woman's Day magazine reported on the link between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases and cancer. A collaborative study by the NIH and the Association showed that women with endo are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Sjögren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), asthma, and fibromyalgia.Tags: endo, endometriosis, fatigue, fibromyalgia, fms, health
07:32 am: Facebook..
I spend way too much time on Facebook.. I should make sure I have access to all my social networking stuff on there..
Rob wants me to join friend feed & then my posts from wherever populate everywhere.. Oi.. dunno if I am ready fer that.. plus there are occasional privacy concerns - How does that work I wonder.. Plus with LJ I have html tags.. hmmm.. I guess that's a talk to Rob issue.. he might know.. I might not even be able to incorporate LJ into friend feed..
January 22nd, 200908:13 pm:
I am currently living in West Hill.. but need to move as my situation is not the best. I REALLY would prefer to stay in my immediate area.. I have 2 options I figure.. Option 1: ISO roommate.. pref female, non-smoker who can carry the rent & her own bills.. I can likely get a 2 bedroom apt in this building, so I'd still be in West Hill near my docs.. Rent is just over $800 I think.. Option 2: ISO of 1 bedroom/bach apartment in Lawrence/Kingston area.. Needs to be clean & have separate entrance. On site (shared) laundry, full kitchen a must.. Prefer not to have have stairs, or if stairs, manageable ones - dunno if that's even an option.. TTC accessible.. Can afford just over $500/mo, inclusive. Any help?? Any thoughts?? I do not need to give 60 days notice. Tags: accomodations, help, housing
July 28th, 200811:37 am:
Your Power Color Is Magenta
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At Your Highest:
You energize yourself and push others to succeed.
At Your Lowest:
You feel frustrated and totally overwhelmed.
In Love:
You are surprised by who you attract. You're a love magnet.
How You're Attractive:
Open and free spirited, people want to explore the world with you.
Your Eternal Question:
"What is my next source of inspiration?"
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June 11th, 200805:28 pm: Paint removal
Anyone know how to get paint out of clothes?? No, not kiddie paint.. I actually think it's latex based.. My other half got it on his clothes at work, & imagine they use Latex in the hospital in which he works - oils would be too nauseating..
May 30th, 200801:10 pm: Cottage this weekend
Going to the cottage... back on Sun/or Mon..
Catch ya on the flip side!
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