Tag Archives: coping

19

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Nineteen years ago today, I woke up with a sore throat. I ignored it, as I usually did with pain or illness. I was 26 years old, a “superstar” at my law firm (according to a performance review). I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Lightning Book Review: How To Wake Up

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

It’s time to debut a new sometime feature on the blog: Lightning Book Review, quick reviews of about 500 words to give you my bottom line opinion. Our debut is Toni Bernhard’s new book, How To Wake Up, officially released … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

How To Be Sick (Giveaway!)

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

I have been a fan of Toni Bernhard’s book How To Be Sick since it first came out in 2010. There is now an audiobook version available, which is fantastic for people who are too sick to read, and we … Continue reading →

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Data Queen

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

One of the biggest weapons I have in the fight against ME/CFS is data. I keep track of my activities, medications, sleep, and symptoms daily, and over time that data can be very powerful. I’ve blogged extensively about wearing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Heart Rate and Beta Blockers

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Beta blockers are routinely prescribed to ME/CFS patients who have orthostatic intolerance. But because of the medication’s effects on heart rate, it can be challenging to incorporate heart rate monitoring into the picture. After some uncertainty, I have managed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Meeting METS

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

It has been more than a year since I had a two-day exercise test. My exercise test report was full of all kinds of jargon, and over the last year I have been trying to decode and apply it to … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sometimes It’s One of Those Times

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Sometimes, life just vomits in your lap. One thing after another goes wrong, and you feel like you’re juggling roaring chainsaws while pedaling a unicycle. Or maybe that’s just me. 2013 has been challenging, to say the least. I’m fully … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

I Thank You

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

When I uploaded my Crash Day 3 video on Monday, I was scared. In fact, I almost didn’t do it. I can’t control the fact that I have crashes, but I can control who sees me that way. Like most … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

I Heard the News Today, Oh Boy

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

What is there to say about something like the Boston Marathon bombing? There is no sane way to reconcile the gruesome images, the suffering and destruction with our need to believe that we are safe. We are privileged enough in … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Ring Theory

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

We’ve all had the experience of someone saying the wrong thing to us about our disease. “I hate that you always cancel at the last minute.” “You rest all day. Can’t you make dinner once in awhile?” “Work is killing … Continue reading →

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