Disease, Illness & Conditions

It is approaching nearly two years since the first confirmed U.S. case of COVID-19, was announced in the state of Washington on January 21, 2020. I was fortunate enough to not have contracted the virus and was initially vaccinated on February 14th, 2021.

Perspectives change over time, sometimes due to circumstances and getting older. Cancer is forcing my perspective to change as well. What I took for granted shouldn't be taken for granted, and I need to adapt to whatever is coming down the pike.

Dysautonomia wreaks havoc on the autonomic system, causing life-altering symptoms. I’ve become accustomed to using different methods to live with these symptoms. I hope these tips for living with Dysautonomia will help someone going through this horrible illness.

This article discusses my shellfish allergy and includes tips for staying safe and satisfying your cravings.

Four months ago, my world was turned upside down. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I beat it and met hundreds of women who are fighting this fight. Hopefully, this article will provide valuable information.

In April 2021, I had a big sebaceous cyst removed from my upper back area. In this article, I first explain what a sebaceous cyst is. I then explain my cyst's early growth, diagnosis, and final removal by a surgeon in Thailand.

Prosopagnosia, also called face blindness, is a neurological disorder that makes it difficult (or impossible) to recognize faces. This article will demystify the disorder from a factual perspective and also explore the strange experiences that many prosopagnosics encounter daily.

I have type 2 diabetes and have had it for five years now. This is my story of how I “cured” my condition with dietary changes. Also, when I say cured, my doctor described it as cured by diet control. Diabetes does not have an actual cure.

I am a Crohn's disease patient currently in recovery, and I would like to share how I manage my disease to live a happy and healthy life.

Our entire household—my wife and four children—tested positive for COVID-19. I had a serious case. I was hospitalized for a week. In the end, I recovered, and the hospital staff applauded me the day I was wheeled out. By the grace of God, I survived.

I'm sharing my illness experience to help others prepare for home quarantine and symptom management in the event of COVID-19 infection.

Here you will find information about breast abscess and treatment options. I have had over 400 breast abscesses.

Here is a patient's experience of pigment dispersion syndrome, which includes causes, treatment options, and day-to-day management tips for this unusual eye disorder.

Here are some details about my experience after testing positive for the virus, including the testing process, symptoms, and returning to work.

This article explains my personal experience with contrast dye. I stopped breathing!

I was the first of my friends to be diagnosed with osteoporosis, so I am always asked what I do to add calcium to my diet. Here are the dietary changes I've made (I don't discuss other treatment options).

This article is about my experience having combined cataract surgery and a vitrectomy after having lost sight in the central vision of my left eye.

As humans, we are used to having our muscles control our limbs. In MS, this may not be the case and may surprise us with episodes of embarrassment and Street Comedy. How to cope? What to do?

My honest and unsponsored review of the IMAK Compression Eye Pillow (a weighted eye mask). I will discuss my personal experiences with the mask and how I use it.

Everyone is concerned about COVID-19, so testing is certain to be a priority for many people. Well, here's what it's like to be tested.

Von Willebrand disease is a common blood disorder. This is my experience of how it has affected the lives of both my son and me.

This is my devastating story of the impact my husband's stroke had on my life. We have been married for 28 years.

Here's a look at my life with rheumatoid arthritis, from getting diagnosed to testing out different treatments. I'll always have this condition.

It's been a long nine years on a journey I would not wish on my worst enemy. Finally, I received a diagnosis. Finally, I have started to get my life back.

I have successfully recovered from COVID-19, but it's been a tedious journey. This is my story of getting diagnosed and treated and my ongoing recovery.

I was sick with COVID-19 in March of 2020. Here were my symptoms and how I got tested.

This is my honest and unsponsored review of Cyxus blue light blocking glasses. It is also an honest account of how I use them to reduce digital eye strain at work and at home.

Having breathing issues can be terrifying. Getting no sleep is debilitating. Thankfully, CPAP can solve those problems. Here's what it's like to use one.

My honest and unsponsored review of the Jaymag weighted blanket, and how it improved my quality of sleep

I have a kidney transplant and just turned 74. I manage myself, my foods, and my activities so that I feel I am able to get the most out of every day. COVID-19 is a challenge, but common sense is what will help everyone.

Sleep Apnea affects more people than you think, and you might have it. You could be exhibiting various symptoms, both at bedtime and during the day, and don't know it. Find out more!

In this article, I discuss what it was like for me to have a cancer diagnosis and treatment while beginning grad school.

Knowing about this change in your body that piggybacks another symptom may save lives.

Chemotherapy is hard on your body. It can cause nausea and decreased appetite. Taking care of yourself is very important. Here's how I ate and coped with the side effects.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Here is my experience of undergoing chemotherapy.

Restless Legs Syndrome is cruel, but I am determined to work with my body to find ways to manage it holistically. These are some of the things I have discovered.

Do you get an itchy rash after being in the sun? Are you sensitive to the sun? Do you spend most of your sunny days bathed in the shadows? If so, you might want to read about prickly heat and PMLE.

Sleep is a major indicator of good health. I am not a fortunate one on this aspect, and I will share what I did to improve my sleep patterns over the years.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I did not realize how much my life would never be the same again.

in 2010, my husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had to get a urostomy. This article assists with practical steps on how to change the urostomy bag and also discusses some of the other practical issues around the urostomy.

In fall of 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Follow my breast cancer journey below as I go through the ups and downs of beating this terrible disease.

I am going to try and share my story of being diagnosed with cancer from the beginning—with updates as I continue this journey. I really hope that this can, in some way, help someone deal with what they are currently going through.

Use these hacks to make traveling with hemorrhoids much more comfortable.

If your mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer, there's a good chance you're feeling scared, confused, and depressed. Here's what I learned about handling life when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2019.

Learn about primary and secondary Raynaud's, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. I also share my experience and self-management tips.

Sometimes PMR is hard to diagnose. Many have to persist—through scores of tests, misdiagnoses, misinformation, and lack of knowledge—to find out what's wrong with them. This article is to help newly diagnosed PMR sufferers understand what is happening to them and know what to ask their doctors.

If you've just been diagnosed with PMR and feel leery of taking prednisone, this article will list the pros and cons of choosing to use steroids and the effectiveness of other PMR treatments to help you see the larger picture.

Getting diagnosed with cancer can be a great shock to the system. If you've been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, there are some things you should know. These are some of the things I wish I knew when I was diagnosed with cancer.

If a friend or loved one suffers from Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, this article can help you understand what it feels like to walk a mile in their shoes. Read on for everything you need to know about Ehlers Danlos Type 3.

Are you in need of gum graft surgery? Living in the UK and not sure how much this procedure will cost you? This is my experience with getting a gum graft surgery due to an ongoing infection.