Committing to a Team With an Unpredictable IllnessI’ve been figure skating for much longer than I’ve been chronically ill. To me, nothing is more freeing than gliding across the ice, carving grooves with my blades, and feeling...reactions3comments
My Second Birthday With AxSpaMy second birthday being sick was thankfully a lot better than my first. I made a plan of what I wanted to do. I planned to rest in between so I could...reactions6comments
How I Approach The Holiday SeasonThe Christmas holidays are approaching! For me, this means taking time off work, traveling back home to be with family, eating delicious food, and making more time for rest and...reactions3comments
Switching Biologics With AxSpaSwitching meds. No big deal right?! This one in particular wasn’t successful but not to worry, there are so many biologics on the market to try. Something as simple as...reactions11comments
Relationship Red Flags: Can They Really Accept Your Illness?There was a time in my life where I had been in a relationship for about four years. After this relationship fell apart I began to dissect it and realized...reactions3comments
How Journaling Has Helped My Chronic Illness JourneyI’ve loved journaling since I was a kid. Whether it was a secret diary stored in that special hiding spot or a notepad filled with letters, quotes and scattered doodles...reactionscomments
Learning to Love My New, Disabled BodyMy whole life I’ve been skinny. With comments as a child like “you’re a twig!” and “you’re so bony”, I got used to that being a part of who I...reactions1comment
Setting Goals for a New YearSince I received my diagnosis, I kind of let go on making goals that I really want to achieve. I would like to change that, as a New year is...reactionscomments
Having a Good Rheumatologist AppointmentAs sad as it is, having a good doctors’ appointment is harder than it seems to achieve. Far too often, I’ve had a not-so-great experience with a doctor, and I’m...reactions1comment
Don't Let a Smile Fool YouBehind that smile of mine, hides many things, that I decide who to open up to and tell. Would you be able to tell that I have an invisible illness?...reactionscomments
Major Surgery With AxSpAAfter a diagnosis of a chronic condition that degrades your joints over time, it isn’t surprising you may eventually need surgery. But grappling with surgery and recovery with a condition...reactions8comments
Pain and SleeplessnessI’ll be honest, I’ve always had some trouble sleeping. As a kid it would take me several hours to fall asleep, but once I was asleep I’d be out like...reactions2comments
Experiments While I’m Waiting for a CureDo you remember the first question you asked when you were told you had AS? For me it was immediate - “Is there a cure?” I remember the kindly face...reactions4comments
I Bought an Ankylosing Spondylitis Friendly CarYou can read my article "Driving Difficulties with Ankylosing Spondylitis" to see the difficulties I had driving my Mini. My Mini Cooper was my first car, and oh I loved...reactions7comments
Preparing For My Rheumatology AppointmentsNo matter how many times I’ve seen my rheumatologist, I always find these appointments a daunting experience. I feel nervous. Many thoughts run through my head: What if my condition...reactions1comment
My Altered Breakfast RoutineI have never been a good breakfast eater. I am not a morning person and to be able to have a meal in the morning has always been a challenge...reactions9comments
Sex! (And Ankylosing Spondylitis)There. I’ve said it. Not out loud, of course, but on the page. Sex. It’s a great word when you think about it. It’s short (which can be a good...reactions1comment
Is It Just Me? My Struggles With Poor Body ImageI am sure other people worry about body image. It’s normal to worry just a little bit, right? But I wonder if others worry as much as I do. Is...reactions4comments
Full of Different Emotions Waiting to Start My Next BiologicIt’s been an anxious wait, since seeing my rheumatologist mid-July. I felt so confident leaving his office. Finally, felt listened to, that my pains needed some help. My pains had...reactions3comments
The "Flu-mira"It has been more than a year since I started treating my ankylosing spondylitis with Humira. This treatment has been life-changing. Even though I still might get some rigidity or...reactions1comment