Earlier this year, I was given a gift that included offsetting some of the cost of my treatment. I will forever be thankful for having a piece of the financial burden lifted - but the bigger gift, the more effective gift, was simply knowing that someone saw my pain, saw my suffering, and wanted to…
Some days, I wake up a little slow and weak but with coffee and a little time, pain starts to decrease and I start to feel a little energy. It's exciting to think I may be able to accomplish even simple tasks like making breakfast and doing dishes or laundry. Defeat: prevent (someone) from achieving…
I first started this blog partly because I couldn't find other Lyme stories that really talked about the bad times. I get it, we want to be seen as pillars of strength and we fight to focus on the positive things in life, helping others cling to hope. That's noble, but I want to know…
We all have those people who cross the line from time to time and treat us with less love and respect than they should. Sometimes, that line crossing turns into a pattern of bad behavior that is unhealthy for both parties. When this happens, it's imperative to find ways to set boundaries. Setting boundaries is…
I drove through the town of Paradise the other day - the town that was ravished last November by a vicious fire. It was intensely humbling to see the destruction and devastation. Entire streets had been completely leveled - homes gone, debris cleared leaving only dirt and driveways.My friends home - gone Some streets would…
Years ago, one of my closest friends was in a deep pit of depression. She suffered so deeply and it hurt to know she was in so much pain. Yes - depression is painful. It cuts deep into the heart and can steal your entire life. I started writing a devotional for her about joy.…
I have had consistent neck and head pain for 6 years, and intermittently (often daily) for 13 years. I have multiple herniated discs, spinal cord narrowing and compression, and bone spurs - none of which are severe enough for surgery but all of which can and do cause incredible pain, not just in the neck;…
Embarrassed. Humiliated. Frustrated. Angry. Heartbroken. Alone. The feelings that come with being chronically sick are not easy. In fact, they're often so overwhelming that it can be impossible to get well. Today has been both physically and emotionally challenging. We are traveling and everywhere we go, there is chaos - too many people, too much…
My least favorite interview questions are the ones about plans. "What’s your 5 year plan?" "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" Good grief - I don’t know where I’m gonna be at the end of the day! Don't get me wrong - it makes sense that we should plan for the future, to…
My youngest daughter has always struggled with being overwhelmed by sensory things - sounds, lighting, smells, and even just the presence of other people in the same room. We never fully understood what she was experiencing - people would call her shy, quiet, even rude. She struggled in school not because the work was too…
PhilippiJoy 