In need of spoons: the spoon theory & me
I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis in every joint (excluding my spine) from my eyes to my toes since I was 18 months old. I’m 33 now with two young kids plus a full time job.
I. Am. Tired.
My son started school this year and I have had one virus or another since September.
In addition to my Enbrel (for RA) I take iron, b12, magnesium and Tylenol daily. Lately, I’ve been wearing my air cast to help put pressure on my aching ankles.
This is typical RA stuff with some new, unappreciated but “normal”, side effects. A few months ago while investigating some abnormal blood work, docs came to the conclusion that I am chronically fatigued due to the arthritis now targetting my blood.
I didn’t even know this was a thing!
Web MD will tell you that is is, in fact, a thing.
If it’s not enough, me saying “I feel like garbage” then feast your eyes on the scientific (hematology reports) proof!
…So for half a year or more, I’ve been more tired than I’ve ever been and it’s just “normal”.
It’s my normal.
The blessing and curse of arthritis is that tomorrow is uncertain; could be an “up” day, a “down” day or… “normal”… where 10 hours plus of sleep at night doesn’t leave you feeling rested. Every tiny thing becomes a major, multi-faceted task. Putting on your winter boots is enough to have you passing out from sheer exhaustion.
I’ve never related to a description about my life and energy levels more than that expressed as the “Spoon Theory”.
This infographic very accurately conveys what my ultra-fatigued body & mind struggle to. I’ve actually seen it and shared it on social media before, however new challenges brought me back to this same image. I even emailed it to my boss AND to my partner this week; two (very different) people who, I feel, need that missing perspective RE: my day to day functioning and limitations.
If you’ve ever seen me in a “down” swing & ask “what can I do to help?”, simply read and try to absorb the above “Spoon Theory”.
Asking how to help is very thoughtful, and appreciated, but since there is not a lot physically you can do to help me (most of the time), reading the super quick infographic posted above would mean the most.
Knowledge is power! Understanding is medicine! Thanks for reading this!
How Acupuncture Helped Me Survive Pregnancy
When the weight of this pregnancy nearly had me considering Sick Leave and leaving work over a month early, I knew I had to try something, anything to keep going up until my proper leave date.
Some backstory...
I have rheumatoid arthritis. It affects every joint in my body (major ones include ankles, hips and wrists) and has since I was about 18 months old. I'm 30 now. So. Yeah. It's been a wild ride! This is my second pregnancy. I was not working full time during the first (which is stressful in a different way).
December 2015: I gained 40lbs with my first pregnancy.
It was around seven months into this pregnancy that the weight combined with stretching of ligaments and joints in my pelvic region started causing me some outta-this-world pain! I knew it wasn't just the RA and if it continued, how could I continue to be focused at work? I could barely walk to the white-board (about 10 feet from the microphone. Oh, I'm a radio DJ, BTW). Work itself is pretty low-impact, thank GOD, but you know you're in for a rough go when doing things like walking to the washroom, moving studios/offices and getting from the parking lot to said studios/offices leaves you absolutely drained. I was heading to bed before my 2 year old!
I don't like to miss work. The idea of Sick Leave was present in my mind, but I was unwilling to accept that as reality. So... I went to the doctor. Something's gotta give, right? The doctor strongly suggested I try acupuncture.
Hmm...
I had never considered acu-treatment before but the good doctor told me about this place downtown that was great and I was willing to try anything. The place?: OC3. I was set up with Dr. Steen and, let me tell you, his positive attitude and genuine interest in his patients' well-being really helped to keep me going through those painful sessions. Yes. Acupuncture probably cured me, but holy shit. It hurt. It definitely hurt. Dr. Steen (whose official title includes the following: B.Kin, ART, DC Chiropractor) is also a chiropractor (see official title reference like, four words ago), so we would often mix treatments.
What started as two to three appointments per week turned to once a week as my situation improved. The weight was still piling on of course but towards the end of my time with Dr. Steen and the OC3 we cut my appointments back to one every two weeks.
I'm nine months pregnant now and in great shape thanks to some brilliant medical intervention. Every appointment reminder came with an invitation to rate their business and care online. I told myself I wouldn't say anything about their service(s) until I had wrapped my time there.
I can't imagine being in this positive of a head space, feeling this good physically and being able to still be a "fun mom" for my 2 year old, very active son feeling the way I had prior to visiting the OC3. What Dr. Steen has done for me in 8 sessions over the course of 2.5 months is absolutely remarkable. I would highly recommend visiting the OC3 (conveniently located off Elgin St. at Cartier and Lewis with lots of street parking available nearby).
I will be pursuing further treatment with the OC3 post-pregnancy to deal with some ongoing issues relating to my RA which, again, is a method of treatment I hadn't previously considered.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns that relate to this blog post: CONTACT ME. I will gladly answer any and all Qs relating to rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy with RA and my experiences relating to the treatment I received at the OC3.
My last day with these awesome people! Look at me, walking and smiling and stuff! (Feb. 28, 2017 @ KiSS 1053)
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.
Jadon and Anias making a "QUICK recovery": Update!
Anias McDonald, left, stares at his brother Jadon for the first time since the surgery that separated them.
An update on Jadon and Anias via CNN Health
“Separated twins: After hardest surgery, the quickest recovery”
November 22nd, 2016
Like millions of people worldwide, I’ve been following the story of Jadon and Anias McDonald. Conjoined twins, separated (recently) after a grueling 27 hour procedure. Read this blog post for some background on the story:
That brings us to today’s update. In the four weeks following the boys’ surgery, Mom (Nicole) and Dad (Christian) have not seen their babies without large bandages atop their heads. Well, for Jadon, that is no longer the case! For a brief moment while Jadon was having his bandages changed, the McDonald’s got to see their boy’s head.
Jadon McDonald smiles and waves at his father shortly after his head dressing was removed / CNN Health
“It’s the most amazing thing. I just can’t even believe it. And look at his little hair. On top, it’s growing in!”
“Hey there, my man. You sure are handsome. Look at you. You look like a perfect little boy.”
Anias has been on the mend as well, though progressing more slowly than Jadon. Dr. Goodrich (the amazing surgeon who performed the separation) explains that with twins joined at the head, there is always a dominant child. This child does double the work, their heart and lungs work overtime to keep both boys alive. Anias is the non-dominant child. This explains his post-op struggles with breathing and eating (which were an issue pre-op as well).
Despite that, Dr. Goodrich says both boys are doing very, very well and “ahead of schedule” when it comes to their recovery which “makes everyone happy.”
“Historically, this will be the fastest (recovery)” which he credits to being “Just good kids”.
Goodrich informed the family of the successful separation at about 3 a.m. on Friday, October 14. “Well, we did it,” he told them.
The boys are 14 months old and set to move to rehab shortly after Thanksgiving (US). Jadon is ready to go now but the medical staff have agreed it’s best to keep the boys together at this stage so they can pursue rehab in a similar capacity. Anias does not have the same range of motions as Jadon but caregivers believe he will get there.
Unlike most children their age, Jadon and Anias have not reached the typical milestones like crawling, lifting their heads, standing or attempting to walk. The surgery has set them back to infancy. Luckily, Mom is a pediatric physical therapist!
A poem in the boys hospital room reads:
I’m your twin
You’re my twin
We stick together through thick and thin
No matter what I do
I’m always stuck with you.
With both boys being “way ahead of schedule” in their recovery, the family knows it will be a long road. Lead plastic surgeon Dr. Oren Tepper says that Anias will eventually need more surgery to try to create a new skull cap out of bone from his hip or rib. He will progress, for the next few years, just fine so long as he wears a protective helmet. Both Jadon and Anias will be wearing helmets before going into rehab.
“They’re really doing a lot better than I’d hoped. The whole world has gotten behind these kids.”