This summer, in the middle of managing a mountain of medical tests for my chronic conditions, I felt something unusual in my left breast. It wasn’t obvious, just a vague lumpiness I couldn’t quite define. Life was already chaotic, so I brushed it off, convincing myself it could wait. Fast forward to a few weeks…
Month: November 2024
Breaking the Stigma Around Invisible Illness: What You Don’t See Matters
Living with an invisible illness is like navigating life with a secret that no one understands. The world often judges what it can’t see, and that judgment can feel heavier than the illness itself. If you’ve ever faced disbelief, skepticism, or dismissal because your condition isn’t visible, you’re not alone. What Is an Invisible Illness?…
Different Medical Imaging: A Comprehensive Guide to Medical Imaging
Medical imaging plays a critical role in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating various medical conditions. From broken bones to complex neurological disorders, imaging technologies allow doctors to see inside the body without invasive procedures. In this post, we’ll explore the most common types of medical imaging, how they work, their applications, and what to expect during…
Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Allergy: Understanding the Differences
When people hear “gluten,” they often think of trendy diets or food restrictions. But for many, gluten-related issues are far from a fad—they’re life-altering medical conditions. Terms like celiac disease and gluten allergy are sometimes used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. In this post, I’ll explore the differences between the two and share personal stories to shed light…
Advocating for Your Health: Navigating Chronic Pain and Your First Doctor’s Appointment
Living with chronic pain or illness can often feel like carrying an invisible weight—a burden that others may not fully understand. For many of us, the journey toward getting proper care begins with that first doctor’s appointment. It’s daunting, especially when you’re not sure if your symptoms will be taken seriously. You might feel overwhelmed,…
What Patients Should Know About Spondyloarthritis and Its Impact on Daily Health
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is one of the conditions I have been living with for so long, though doctors do believe my condition is mixed with something else. Living with spondyloarthritis (SpA) has been an ongoing journey for me—one filled with highs, lows, and a lot of learning along the way. I understand the daily struggle of…
Hidden Links: Spine Conditions and Unusual Symptoms You Might Not Expect
Hidden Links: Spine Conditions and Unusual Symptoms You Might Not Expect Living with a chronic spine condition has been a constant learning experience. You’d think it would only affect my back, right? Not exactly. Over time, I’ve discovered that spine issues can have a domino effect on parts of the body I’d never have associated…
Traveling with a Flare-Up: Tips, Realities, and Self-Care
In just a few days, I’ll be heading out of Canada. Instead of the usual excitement before a trip, there’s something else weighing on me that is stressing me out. I’m in an active flare-up again. My body feels like it’s in constant protest, and just getting through the daily routine has been a struggle….
Infectious Disease Appointment
I have been experiencing recurring UTI and bladder infections throughout most of my life. When I was young, I would get them nearly every month and was almost constantly on antibiotics. Since January, the recurrence has been unusually high compared to recent years. The last few blood and urine tests have been consistent. My C-reactive…
Chasing Relief: Journey of Spine Injections and Unanswered Questions
Are These Spine Injections Really Still Working? This is the question I’ve been asking myself for the last few months. In August, I had spine injections that were supposed to be in my sacro-transverse joints on both the right and left sides. They did both sides in the same day, and my body had a…
Off Track (Menstruation)
Before we start there is a TMI/Trigger Warning (Menstruation/urine/pain)*** Proceed with caution. These last few weeks have honestly been stressful, and I cannot explain what has been going on. I really don’t know. My body is reacting and fighting something, and I don’t have many answers, but I have noticed something. In April, I went…
Deidre Matthews 