moms helping moms find a new normal
Four years ago, I was at the top of my game. I was participating in Ironman Triathlon events, getting my master’s degree, and trying to be the best, most organized, never missing a beat, mom and wife possible. Then, in no time flat, I went from ironman triathlete to woman in a wheelchair. I was tired. I chalked it up to being a busy mom.
I know I’m breaking all the rules. Using food to make myself feel better. And not just food, but food with sugar and dairy. But I’ve been in a cranky pants kind of mood the last few weeks, waking up so tired each morning even though I’m getting my 7+ hours of sleep and even though my thyroid levels from the Hashimoto’s are supposedly in
Autoimmune mom Donna Jackson Nakazawa was tired of being sick. Her kids were growing up and preparing to go off to college while she was just trying to survive each day. A task as seemingly simple as taking the laundry up the stairs required several minutes of horizontal recovery time, knees bent, waiting for quivering legs to quiet. Determined to get better, to joyfully help
Back in what seems like another life – before my marriage and the birth of my two children – I was a busy single chick immersed in Manhattan’s social scene. It was very Sex and the City: running my own business, getting together with friends, and going out almost every night in the quest for love. In fact, it was such a hectic life style
When I was pregnant with my first child, I didn’t expect the labor to go perfect. I had heard enough labor horror stories to know better. However, I didn’t expect to have a seizure, either. I’ve always prided myself in being the perfect specimen of health. I used to brag to nurses when I got my yearly physical that I was “medically boring.” I had
“I have what?! How do you even spell that??” That was my first reaction when I was told I had Sjögren’s syndrome. Few people have heard of this particular autoimmune disorder, but I suspect it’s because it goes undiagnosed in many. After all, the primary symptoms are pretty innocuous. Dry eyes, dry mouth, dry everything. The textbook definition describes Sjögren’s as an autoimmune disorder in which your
In family and friendship, illness sometimes proves to be a delicate dance. In some ways I am fortunate. I am happily married to an amazing man. We met and fell in love years after my diagnosis. Lupus wasn’t something that just happened, a cosmic injustice of sorts that came crashing down on us in a time of vibrant health. He went in, both eyes open,
I have had the great honor of being asked to write something for Katie here at AutoimmuneMom.com, in the hopes that we can help spread the word of autoimmune disease. With over 24 million people suffering today, it is one of the fastest growing health issues. It is OK, you are not alone, we are here to help you. When I look back I think