And Just Like That... Woke with Jokes?

I was diagnosed with ‘Old Lady Disease’, as Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) calls it, when I was a baby. Eighteen months old. I’ve been dealing with this ignorance for too long and it’s time for the world to wake up.

I’m cringe watching the HBO revival series, And Just Like That… as a former SATC fan. I know that all language can be problematic and, working in media, I get that there are bigger things happening in the world to get upset over.

When you have a captive audience - don’t do further harm towards a disadvantaged group while preaching ‘wokeness’.

Would Carrie have said that in episode one to her coworker who uses a chair? Would the writers or SJP herself say, ‘too bad about that old lady disease’ to a toddler on chemo puking their guts out to salvage tissue? I doubt it.

Below is a Twitter thread that I posted while catching up on the ‘Tragically Hip’ episode. I had to pause it to react, in the moment, on social media (as one does)… Let it be known that I am, at age thirty five, currently waiting on double hip replacement surgeries and a joint fusion/corrective surgery on my right foot. I had my left done at age seventeen.

“It’s arthritis, right? I have OLD LADY DISEASE in my back?” - Carrie Bradshaw on S1 E5 of And Just Like That…

@HBO @AndJustLikeThat do you have disabled people on staff? This language is hugely upsetting. I was diagnosed with RA as an infant, Hi!

This was one of my many, many intravenous drugs. Chemotherapy is a popular method of treatment to fight Rheumatoid Arthritis.

When you spend a significant chunk of your childhood in hospitals, you become well acquainted with the playroom!

Splints on my wrists were intended to keep my joints from deforming as I grew. I know they didn’t stop my range of motion from deteriorating. I have some deformities now as an adult, so I’m not convinced splinting works.

Juvenile (Idiopathic) Rheumatoid Arthritis patient (me) pushing my IV while out for a stroll in hospital. Ever try to get dressed when you’re attached to a pole? It’s not easy.

Carrie’s comments aren’t problematic to those who haven’t lived my life. Between chemotherapy, surgery, wheelchairs & chronic pain/fatigue, I also got heavily bullied for having OLD LADY disease.

Children get arthritis too.

You can’t take back those comments. They’re out there and echoed and echoed and echoed, reaching the ears of children who are very sick and tired and fading… More disabled people in media, please. PLEASE. I volunteer. I will consult with anyone (serious), for free, RE: ableism.

My whole life (like, til death) involves arthritis. It would be nice for people to accept that it’s not an OLD PERSON DISEASE. It’s rare in kids but it happens. I work in media & I want more representation NOW.

Note the swelling in my knees.

Using a wheelchair helps save energy and tissue damage. It also is helpful when I can’t walk.

My splints didn’t stop me from making the most of things!

At 35, I still use my wheelchair when I have tough days.

Arthritis has many forms. How anyone chooses to imitate, accept, react to any of its forms as they present personally or in someone close is fully up to that person. I’m not telling you how you should address the disease or it’s symptoms - I’m simply asking that you consider this diseases devastation to kids who already feel misunderstood, misrepresented and or ignored.

Here are some other things I’ve posted to educate people about autoimmune diseases and the misconceptions that create barriers in our lives:

• That time I wasn’t believed when I asked for help at a popular Ottawa festival.

• That time my disease started attacking my blood.

• How arthritis affects my livelihood and career.

• The COVID-19 risk for autoimmune persons.

Life, Death and Everything in Between: My Autoimmune Perspective

The anniversary of Glenn Frey's death from Rheumatoid Arthritis complications is mildly triggering to me. RA is serious and the drugs to treat is are equally serious. It's a high-wire act to stay healthy while knowing your life will likely be shorter than it should be.

It's paramount to do your best to take care of your body; in sickness and health. Make decisions that work for you. I'm on the CRAZIEST drugs ever after failing: methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, Plaquenil, naproxen, ketoprofen, cortisone, hydrocortisone, Imuran, prednisone, ciclosporin & the fringe drugs to treat reflux, anemia, various deficiencies, nausea from chemo, insomnia, headaches. My internal organs (+blood) are at risk to damage the way my physical bones and joints are. I had my first joint replacement surgery at 17 which is why I missed my final high school exams and flunked out (graduated college no problem though).

I'm now on Enbrel and you can google how wild *that* is. I'm accepting that risk to live a 'normal life'. I've been on it for 20 years this spring. I've got two healthy kids with my college crush and work as a rock n roll DJ in Ottawa, Canada.

Life is good. It's been hard but the hardships have shaped me. They've allowed me to have a perspective on life, death and everything in between that most people do not get (at least at such a young age).

To summarize: your life and experiences are unique. Maybe you'll live to 100... 120, maybe! Maybe you won't. What matters is how you approach your life and how you treat others along the way. Never, ever, ever take any of this for granted because tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

Sick Day.

Parenting and working full time have been clashing for our family lately.

Poor Eve and Rory got sick pre-Christmas and the virus has been really lingering in E. Rory is back to health but, what I thought was just a lingering virus in the boy, actually turned out to be the flu.

The big flu.

The influenza one. Which is particularly harsh on children this season.

I’m home now thanks to an understanding manager and co-worker who swiftly stepped in to cover/offer solutions. I’m blessed that way.

I also have some personal health issues I’m doing my best to deal with/stay on top of at the moment.

My blood is not in good form. I wish I knew what that meant but, like I said, I’m doing my best to really stay on top of things. I have an appointment with a specialist coming up in the next few weeks at the General. I guess they will tell me all about neutropenia and hopefully provide a possible treatment plan/cure?

For months I’ve been running on empty. Zero energy. I do my radio show, come home and cook dinner/mind the kinds, then pretty much head to bed as soon as Ryan gets home. I could sleep 11 hours and still need more. It’s not normal and this is what started me seeing our family doctor, which lead me down the road to, ‘hey, your blood is off’.

Neutropenia does NOT cause extreme exhaustion. The latest theory from a few doctors is that I have an infection, we just don’t know where or what it is yet.

From the Mayo Clinic: “Neutropenia can make you more vulnerable to infections. When neutropenia is severe, even the normal bacteria from your mouth and digestive tract can cause serious illness.”

So… couple that with a few sick kids + the extra rough seasonal viruses that’ve been going around (yes, I’m vaccinated) = you get the picture.

If it seems like I’ve been sick for a long time, it’s because I’ve been sick for a long time.

Now I’ve got the added element of ‘there’s something wrong’, ‘you’ve probably got an underlying mystery infection’, the repeated tests (not mono, not TB, nothing to do with thyroid, celiac, iron or vitamin deficiency, not my RA medicine), the band aid solutions (of which none have worked to increase my energy level). Despite the absolute mystery surrounding my illness, there is hope that the blood doctor will have some answers.

They may not be what I want to hear but I really do believe that there is a solution to this problem (/these problems).

In the meantime, I’m spending the next few days at home with my son who’s already looking better. I think, for him, the worst is over. Being immunosuppressed my entire life thanks to the RA, I wash my hands A LOT so fingers crossed I’m not next.

PC Organics Baby Food RECALL

Massive recall: PC Organics baby food recalled due to botulism risk
 

To read the full article via Today's Parent, CLICK HERE.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Loblaws has expanded it's recall of their PC Organics brand baby food, originally issued on February 3rd. The following products or "pouches" may contain Clostridium botulinum which is linked to botulism.

The recall originally included PC Organics Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea flavors but has been broadened to include the following:

• PC Organics Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea strained baby food, 128 ml, UPC 0 60383 06292 7
• PC Organics Apple Crisp Muffin flavour puree snack, 128 mL, UPC 0 60383 13730 4
• PC Organics Apple, Carrot, Apricot & Millet strained baby Food, 128 mL, UPC 0 60383 06996
• PC Organics Banana, Sweet Potato & Blueberry strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05362
• PC Organics Apple strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02840 4
• PC Organics Apple, Banana & Blueberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 04491
• PC Organics Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 04488
• PC Organics Apple Cherry strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02843
• PC Organics Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06294
• PC Organics Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 13732 8
• PC Organics Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05363
• PC Organics Pumpkin, Apple, Peach & Buckwheat strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06995
• PC Organics Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash & Quinoa strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06994
• PC Organics Pear strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02842
• PC Organics Mango, Apple, Carrot & Peach strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05369
• PC Organics Blackberry Cobbler Flavour puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 13731 1
• PC Organics Banana & Kiwi strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02846 6
• PC Organics Mango strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02841 1
• PC Organics Banana & Raspberry strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05480 9
• PC Organics Banana, Apple, Apricot & Rice strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05368
• PC Organics Banana Bread Flavour puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 13589 8
• PC Organics Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06291
• PC Organics Sweet Potato, Banana & Apricot strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05366
• PC Organics Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 15430 1
• PC Organics Banana, Mango & Apple with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 04489
• PC Organics Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 15431 8
• PC Organics Prunes strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 16963 3
• PC Organics Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18427 8
• PC Organics Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18429 2
• PC Organics Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18428 5
• PC Organics Mango strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18430 8
• PC Organics Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18426 1

If you have any of these recalled products in your home, throw them out immediately or return them to the store where they were originally purchased.

These items may not look or smell hazardous; that doesn't mean they can't make you very, very sick. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases, the bacteria can cause death.