Posts Tagged ‘living with chronic illness’
Patient Voice – Meditate to Find Peace
Three years ago, Megan Hastings began most mornings with a quick run and some meditation. Today, the effects of her illness make running impossible, but she finds she can meditate to bring comfort and peace. The practice helps her to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, happiness and acceptance. Megan, mother to three and devotee to her best friend, has a…
Read MorePatient Voice – Look For Surprises
Still reeling from her diagnosis, Nicole shares how three surprises took her down a path that led her to help, hope and BHC. Nicole Paolucci Rabanal is a wife, mother, friend and physical therapists from Steamboat Springs CO. Upon returning to health she looks forward to living her life fully again as a wife, mother,…
Read MoreLiving With a Partner Who Has ME/CFS or FM
Chronic illness and marriage is a complicated combination. It’s rare to see or hear a healthy spouse’s perspective on their partner’s disease because it is a topic that can be very difficult – as much for the one speaking as for the one hearing it. With an estimated divorce rate as high as 75% among…
Read More4 Tips to Improve Doctor-Patient Communication
Effective doctor-patient communication is critical to building a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship, which is at the heart of delivering high-quality healthcare. When there is open and productive communication, doctors and patients are more effective in exchanging information, patients have greater comprehension of their medical issues, and they are more empowered in decision making about their own…
Read MoreTips for Carepartners
When Someone You Love has ME/CFS or FM There are many diseases that can be considered invisible, but there are substantial differences in how individuals are viewed culturally and socially, depending on their diagnoses. Diabetes, lupus, MS, and others can be invisible illnesses, but few would ever question the limitations of someone with one of…
Read MoreRedefining POTS so that Everybody Understands
“Redefining POTS so that everybody understands: a primary care pediatric sports medicine perspective and review” Presented by Dr. Craig Colebey Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or POTS is a disabling disorder, representing “a common pathway” for multiple different causes. The heterogenous nature of its pathophysiology presents a challenge in its diagnosis and treatment. I present…
Read MoreHoliday Survival Guide
Living with ME/CFS and FM changes most everything, including how we celebrate the holidays. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, or a loved one, is a ‘free pass’ on the guilt you may be tempted take on when you are unable to do it all. We all want a happy…
Read MoreKeeping It Clean: Clean and Dirty Suffering
presented by Timothy Weymann, LCSW Life – and chronic illness – has an inherent level of difficulty (i.e., “Clean Suffering”). The natural difficulties of life often trigger conscious and subconscious responses from us; responses we believe will help us solve our concerns. If we fail to critically identify, evaluate and intentionally select our responses to…
Read MoreOvercome Fear After Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia can be quite a blow. Being afraid is one of the most common reactions to forced changes, but it isn’t something you should let consume your life. It’s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis. However, you…
Read MoreExploding Myths of Chronic Illness in Family Life
Presented by Heather Jarman When serious illness is diagnosed in a young person, parents are often the first people called upon to be medical caregivers for their child. Few parents are adequately prepared for the enormity of the challenges associated with such a massive life change, regardless of a child’s age. Part of making the…
Read More