2022 Yearly Digest

It took me a long time to write my 2022 digest and it wasn’t just because so much stuff happened over the last year. It was partially because my family has been taking turns having rough colds for weeks – months, really – and it’s hard to get anything done when we’ve all been so sick. But it’s also because I always go through my Instagram posts to see if I forgot anything and I just couldn’t stop staring at […]

I lost my mom.

I’ve lost a lot of things this year. I lost the ability to take much needed antidepressants due to my Sjogrens. I lost days to mental and physical illness. I lost faith in some important things for a time. I lost my gallbladder. But none of it compares to what happened in September. Two months ago, I lost my mom. It’s hard to believe I’ve been living for two entire months since she passed. Right now I feel the grief […]

Living in burnout

Living in burnout.

“You’ve burned through all your serotonin.” In one sentence, my therapist captured it all. She summarized the burdens of my life that were heavy and numerous. Too heavy. They weighed on me and sometimes felt like they were taking away my options. I was going through a deep level of burnout. Most importantly, she emphasized that it wasn’t my fault. Instead, she explained the scenario – that she has seen far too often – where my brain had essentially burned […]

second baby birth story

Having My Second Baby: A Birth Story.

Today my second baby boy turns one year old. His birth was so similar to my first son that it seemed fitting to share his birth story on his birthday in the same way I did with my first. There were so many similarities between the two births that I can’t help but compare them. I’ve been struggling with writing this story because it’s hard for me to think about it for long periods of time, as was the case […]

baby with caffey disease

My Baby Has Caffey Disease: Our Story and Rare Disease Awareness.

A doctor told me my baby likely had Caffey disease when he was only eight hours old. We had to wait on genetic testing to confirm it, but the rare disease was already causing my son severe pain. Somewhere around 3 in 1,000 infants are diagnosed with Caffey disease globally, although many are likely undiagnosed because the bone manifestations are minor and go unnoticed. But some babies can have bones that double to triple in width. The doctors told me […]

lupus diagnosis five year recap

My 5 Year Lupus Diagnosis Anniversary.

Today marks five years since a doctor confirmed my lupus diagnosis. In early January of 2017, he told me he suspected lupus and when I returned three weeks later the blood work confirmed it. Technically, he called it “pre-lupus”, but I later developed more symptoms and he dropped the “pre” part of the diagnosis. So, happy diagnosiversary to me! Every January I am acutely aware that another year had passed, and this five year marker is hitting a little differently. […]

2021 Yearly Digest

2021 Yearly Digest

Having kicked off the new year with a fresh health crisis (is there any other way to do it?), here I am with my better-late-than-never 2021 digest. Looking back over the past year can be bittersweet when you live with chronic illnesses. This year was even tougher as I struggled emotionally and physically with what my children went through medically. However, it helps me remember what I’ve overcome so far as I face a new year. I spent much of […]

My First Trimester With My Second Baby. │ Ava of My Meena Life

The First Trimester With My Second Baby.

We’re expecting a second little Meena in June 2021!  This first trimester has been quite different compared to my previous pregnancy – and not just because I’m taking care of a two-year-old while pregnant.  My medical care has gone a bit differently and I’ve had more varied and intense symptoms. Thankfully, my lupus hasn’t been as intense – so far – and I have a lot of help.  In this post, I’m going to detail what it’s been like to […]

2020 Yearly Digest. │ By Ava of My Meena Life.

2020 Yearly Digest.

This year was not one I have been eager to reflect on.  I had to force myself to start the process of reviewing 2020 for my annual digest.  But, once I got started I was rather surprised to remember how many positive things did happen this year.  Writing this digest is always a therapeutic process. There’s not a big trip to share, but we did find smaller ways to travel and enjoy time together.  So much time together.  It was […]

What I'm Struggling With Right Now and Why I'm Thankful Anyway. │ Photo by Leslie Mason Photography.

What I’m Struggling With During COVID-19 and Why I’m Thankful Anyway.

This isn’t exactly a well put together blog post where I convey a wealth of information.  Those are my favorite kind to share, but I’ve been struggling to write one since March.  Like many people during the time of COVID-19, I’m not in a great place mentally, physically, or emotionally. This post is more a catalog of what I’ve been struggling with over the past few months, with a few positives thrown in.  I am trying to be thankful for […]