5 Things I Learned In June

Things I Learned
Key West Lighthouse. By Cristo Vlahos.
Key West Lighthouse. Image by Cristo Vlahos.

I’m feeling inspired by Modern Mrs. Darcy to share a few things I learned this past month.

As a frequent (as frequent as possible, anyway) traveller and avid reader and writer, I love discovering new things, whether through conversation, books, movies or museums. So here are a few of the things I learned this June.

1 Key West, FL (which has been on my must-visit list for a long time!) is closer to Cuba than it is to Miami. Mind. Blown.

2 Apparently Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is very common in women. I am one of many living with this embarrassing, painful condition. At least we’re not alone.

3 Tammy Wynette and George Jones lived not far from where I am right now, in Lakeland, FL.

4 Cat Wine is an actual thing that exists. I’m tempted to make a cat pun, but I’ll leave that to the company’s purrfect marketing team.

5 Sometimes it’s better to skip ‘sorry’ and say ‘thank you’ instead.

What did you learn in June?

Am Disabled. Will Travel.

Being a Spoonie, Travel, ,

travelling while disabled

I sometimes wonder if I’m really cut out for a life of long-term travelling. I’m largely a homebody, my frequent medical treatments keep me in a near-constant few mile range from the hospital, and travelling  when you’re not an able-bodied white person who’s at least middle class has its challenges.

But then I remember the rush I get when a plane takes off, or when I see palm trees for the first time in a long time, or exotic birds, or food you can’t eat anywhere else. I love meeting new people. I love soaking up all the things that make each place the same as home, and everything that makes it different, and then writing about it later.

I can’t give up on a travel, no matter how hard it gets. Aren’t the things you love worth working for?

The Spoonie Life Is Far From Glamorous

Being a Spoonie

Travel is in my blood. I’m meant to be on the road, or by the beach, or exploring the city. I’m supposed to be travelling the world, making it more accessible for people like me, who have disabilities and itchy feet.

But I’m sick and broke and stuck at home and in doctors’ offices.

My disability has taken everything from me: My health, my travel, my career, and sometimes even my hope in the future.

Next month, I was supposed to be headed to Dallas for a mental health conference. The plan was to soak up as much Texas culture as I could (I’ve never been west of Nashville), learn how to better cope with my Trichotillomania, and write about how to navigate both the Southwest and BFRBs with a disability.

But with $7 in the bank and numerous appointments with a hematologist, an endocrinologist, a gastroenterologist, a pharmacy and an MRI machine, it’s just not going to happen. Not this year.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m grateful to have seen all the places I’ve seen. I’m grateful for what little health I have.  I’m grateful that things won’t be this rough forever. But it’s hard to be grateful at all when you’re being stuck with needles, swallowing pill after pill, hobbling along with a cane when you’d rather be working diligently at your dream job, helping people and making a living.

This is not what I expected my life to look like.

Tips for Spoonies with Colds

Being a Spoonie, ,
tips for spoonies with colds
Dealing with day to day chronic pain is frustrating enough; having a cold on top of it is just brutal. But it doesn’t have to totally suck!

Netflix is your friend. Take the day off and binge watch House or a travel documentary or something. You deserve a break.

Elevate your head. You’ll breathe easier. Literally.

Drink something fizzy and low in caffeine. I like Sprite Zero, because it’s sugar free and delicious, and excellent for settling your stomach and keeping you hydrated.

If you have a headache, take Mersyndol. I carry a few tablets with me everywhere because it works so well. It’s stronger than regular Tylenol, but doesn’t require a prescription. A single tablet is usually enough.

Don’t push yourself to do anything. You need your rest.

This is seemingly obvious, but keep Kleenex near your bed. When you’re already lacking energy, the last thing you want to do is stumble to the bathroom in search of something to blow your nose with!

Buy a Vicks VapoInhaler. I don’t know what I would have done without this thing when I had a cold earlier this month. The scent is soothing and is a nasal decongestant.

Being Jewish, I feel like it’s my duty to preach about the healing powers of matzoh ball soup. Seriously, it’s magical.

How do you take care of yourself when you catch cold?

Image is a get well card you can buy here.

Best of the Midwest #3

Uncategorized, ,

A photo posted by Chicago (@choosechicago) on

 

Welcome to Best of the Midwest! In each edition, I gather some of the most exciting links from (arguably) the best region of the United States.

I definitely want to eat at Toast Bar next time I’m in Columbus. And some of these brunch places, too!

This Grandville, MI Santa Claus made a little boy’s Christmas.

9 Midwest inns share recipes to make the holiday season delicious.

This Minneapolis pizza place sounds awesome!

Troll hunting in a little town near Madison, WI sounds exciting!

These Midwest pride shirts would make great gifts.

Looking for more links? Check out past Best of the Midwest columns, and my Midwest Pinterest board. Have a link to share? Post it in the comments below!