Year in Review

Although I don't write a Christmas letter or anything of the sort, I figure my dear blog readers tune in from time to time throughout the year and are probably all too aware of the health goings-on in my life. So I will try my best to keep this brief and not too negative. It has been one heck of a year to say the least!

Let me start with the good. Certain aspects of my health have improved significantly. My resting heart rate is good! Normally anywhere between 56 and 66 beats per minute on any given day. And there have been many days where my standing heart rate hasn't been so bad either! (70's, 80's, 90's, I rarely reach the 100's anymore!) I am always thrilled to check my blood pressure monitor and see relatively normal numbers there too. It helps me breathe easier when I think about how those same numbers used to look a year ago. Can I say my POTS is gone? Well, no. There are days when my HR still spikes upon standing, I still get the occasional dizzy spell and brain fog seems to plague me on a daily basis. But when I compare my symptoms and my numbers to what they were 5 years ago the difference is dramatic. And there are even some days where I even feel somewhat normal.

In terms of chronic pain and limitations however, this has been the worst year of my life. The TMJD pain is unbearable half the time and it impacts my life severely. I have had to drastically modify my diet to soft foods exclusively and master the art of being quiet which has proven very difficult both emotionally and functionally. It is really tough to not be able to make phone calls to doctors or insurance companies. Not to mention not being able to speak to friends and family very often. I have had to shell out $1300 for a home ultrasound machine like the kind they used on me in Physical Therapy after my insurance company cut off physical therapy completely. It is about the only thing that brought me any real relief. I am currently going through the appeal process with my insurance company about covering the ultrasound machine as durable medical equipment for a chronic condition.

A local neurologist also thinks Botox injections would help quell the muscle spasms in my jaw and facial muscles, but insurance does not want to cover that either because it is not FDA approved for anything other than the treatment of migraines (which I am not having). Although my medical insurance does cover TMJD, they certainly don't seem to cover any of the treatments that have worked for me. So the battle continues. Sadly, this type of battle has become all to familiar to many of us. Having to fight for the basics all the while fighting our own battles against our ailing bodies. My wish for the new year is that less people will suffer and struggle with their insurance companies. That we will not have to fight as hard to receive adequate treatment and relief.

May my friends and readers experience improved health and  relief from chronic conditions in 2013. Keep on fighting the good fight and never never never give up!

Holiday Giveaway Courtesy of Katie's Knits!

'Tis the season for fabulous knitted goods! And Katie's Knits has plenty of them! She does everything from custom blankets to handbags, all created with love and care.

It is no surprise that there is a lot of talent in the chronic illness community and Katie's happens to be knitting. I have great respect for anyone who can knit as I simply lack the patience for such painstakingly intricate work. But Katie has a flair for it. She uses the softest, high quality yarn and crafts her creations with convenience and practicality in mind. I am in love with this purple handbag.

And these cute coin purses, which are very handy on a wheelchair.

And these scarves. I am particularly fond of the pink one!

If you'd like to win some lovely knitted goods just in time for Christmas, please comment on your favorite item below and head over to Facebook and 'like' the Katie's Knits page. 

I will be selecting three lucky winners drawn randomly from a Santa Hat on Monday, December 17, 2012. Good luck!

In the meantime, if you'd like to purchase some of Katie's Knits, contact her about a custom creation via her Facebook page to take advantage of special holiday pricing!