Hi everyone! My name is Samantha Bowick and I’m the author of two books Living with Endometriosis: The Complete Guide to Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatment Options and Living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: The Complete Guide to Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatment Options. I decided to write Living with Endometriosis because I was going through so many different treatments for endometriosis that I really couldn’t find much information on at the time and I felt like it could possibly help others who were going through the same thing.
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What We Wish You Understood | Working With Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness is hard and comes with many challenges. Including challenges most never thought they’d face, especially at such a young age. For instance, when I graduated from nursing school I never dreamed that I would only be able to work for ten years before I had to leave my job to care for myself. That being said when you think of chronic illness you wouldn’t automatically think of the fact that many who suffer from a chronic illness will have to leave the workforce long before they wanted or planned to. But it’s true, sadly, many end up having to leave their dream job or the career they loved to stay home and take care of themselves. Which in and of itself brings up challenges. The biggest being that most around us don’t understand us or our decisions to leave the workforce. Or what that looks like as far as what we can and cannot do now that we are no longer working.
Focus On The Fight | Epilepsy
Welcome to Focus On The Fight, a series of interviews that will be posted weekly, focusing on a blogger/advocate, their health and their advocacy work.
This week we meet Christalle, and we will highlight: EPILEPSY
Before we dive into the heavy stuff, please tell us all a little about yourself outside of your health! About your family or your hobbies !!
Christalle Bodiford is an artist, writer, and adventure seeker. As an entrepreneur diagnosed with epilepsy, Christalle brings a unique perspective of empowerment that inspires others to embrace a positive mindset and live with purpose. When she’s not writing or advocating, Christalle enjoys puppy snuggles with her scruffy terrier and outdoor adventures with her husband.
Living With Chronic Pain | Life Update
The last two months have probably been some of the hardest months I’ve had since this crazy journey started. I’ve been in more pain and for longer than I ever thought possible. I have said too many times lately but I feel like if it has a name it has probably hurt at some point. Literally everything has hurt from the big things like my back and hips, to the smaller things like my hands and fingers. There has even been time when my HAIR and SKIN hurt.
Chronic Pain | Help Others Help You
Pain is just that, PAIN. It’s hurtful. Millions of people deal with some kind of pain every single day. Whether it be the acute pain of an injury, or the emotional pain of losing someone you loved so dearly. Pain is everywhere and every single person is going to deal with their pain differently.
Social Media | How It Is Beneficial To The Chronically Ill
Social Media…..We always hear about the negatives viewpoints and aspects of each platform. Like the fact that social media is full of highlight reels rather than what’s actually real. We only get to see what those influencer types choose to show us, which is usually only the highlights. Or the fact that the internet is full of what we will call “keyboard warriors,” who spew all kinds of nasty hatred into the comment section of any social media platform. They say things that they would NEVER say to someone’s face all because they can hide behind their screens or keyboards without any real consequences. While those are well known facts about social media, what isn’t well known, or often spoken about, is the fact that social media is a HUGE blessing to those in the chronic illness community. I’ll wait while you pick your jaw up off the floor. Did I really just say that social media is a blessing????
Focus On The Fight | Psoriatic Arthritis
Welcome to Focus On The Fight, a series of interviews that will be posted weekly, focusing on a blogger/advocate, their health and their advocacy work.
This week we meet Vickie, and we will highlight: Psoriatic Arthritis (PA)
Before we dive into the heavy stuff, please tell us all a little about yourself outside of your health! About your family or your hobbies !!
I am married with two grown sons and a five year old grandson. My favorite hobbies are reading and fishing.
What Chronic Illness (en) have you been diagnosed with? Which one will you focus on today?
I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
WEGO HEALTH AWARDS | 2019 Nominations
I am excited to announce that I have been nominated for the WEGO Patient Leader Hero award and WEGO Best In Show BLOG. WEGO Health is a mission-driven company connecting healthcare with the experience, skills, and insights of patient leaders. They are the world’s largest network of patient leaders, working across virtually all health conditions and topics. Click here to learn more about their Patient Leader Network
Focus On The Fight | Hereditary Lymphedema
Welcome to Focus On The Fight, a series of interviews that will be posted weekly, focusing on a blogger/advocate, their health and their advocacy work.
This week we meet Jordyn, and we will highlight: Hereditary Lymphedema aka Primary Lymphedema.
Before we dive into the heavy stuff, please tell us all a little about yourself outside of your health! About your family or your hobbies !!
I love to cuddle my service dog, read books, blog, crochet, share my story online, and talk to my friends. I also especially love to garden when it’s summertime.
What Chronic Illness (es) have you been diagnosed with? Which one will you focus on today?
Hereditary Lymphedema Erythromelalgia Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Type 3 Chronic Fatigue Postural Syndrome Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Daily Migraines Asthma MTHFR mutation. Today I will be focusing on my Hereditary Lymphedema.
Grieving Chronic Illness
Grief is an interesting emotion that can be felt for any number of reasons. To most people, grief is associated with the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a marriage or relationship. Most wouldn’t think that one would grieve what they’ve had to give up. Or the loss of a life once lived. But that’s exactly what I think of when I think of grief. I think about the fact that I am mourning the life I once lived and the goals I once had. The life I had before Chronic illness rocked my life.
