Living With Chronic Illness in a Time of Pandemic

I knew this virus was serious before it even landed in Canada. Anyone with a chronic illness knows just how quickly good health can be taken away, and with that, we’re hyperaware of these things that may impact our well-being, regardless of geographics. It’s shared empathy. Shared caution. Shared fear. Shared with those affected, no matter how far away.

For me, being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis ten years ago was life changing in so many ways. My doctor at the time gave me words that would stick with me – “This is life altering, not life ending.” And for the most part, this is true. I say “for the most part” because it does end some parts of your life. It can sometimes feel like it is over, however in the end, I always come back to those words, and remind myself that it could be worse.

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Oh what a difference a year can make.

This is a follow up to my blog post from last year that you can find here.

One year ago today, exactly so, I sat in a hospital chair crying after being told that I had a blood clot at the base of my skull. I didn’t even know then just how large it was; how it nearly blocked off an entire vein.

This time last year, I had barely survived the Holidays; sick and in pain, not even the slightest clue what was looming. It was horrible.

But oh what a difference a year can make.

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