The hardest thing about chronic disease is that is is chronic. I had a friend who had a really bad flu and she received flowers that very week. With me – since I am sick all the time… I get nothing. Am I any less sick, sad, frustrated, lonely, or bored. NO, I need your love and support now more than ever. When everyone else forgets that I am still in this struggle with my illness….. please remember. It didn’t go away, I didn’t forget. I need you to be my friend.

1. Buy nice pajamas appropriate for the illness and medical circumstance. For example, pajamas that are easy on/off for an elderly friend or someone who will be going in and out of tests. I like nice warm pajamas because I find hospitals are usually cold.

2. Rent or buy a portable DVD player with a selection of movies and headphones to use in the hospital (when they wake you up at all hours of the night or you can't sleep. I personally had this loaned to me and I loved it. It helped pass the time so much to get into a movie!

3. Down pillows or any new pillows with fun pillow cases for comfort in the hospital and to also cheer up your hospital room or bedroom at home. Hospital beds are horribly uncomfortable and all the white and green sheets are very depressing. Just check what hospital rules are.

4. Cute socks with rubberized/non skid bottoms, since you often have to get up and walk around, but don't want to put slippers on. There are so many cute pairs which are very inexpensive.

5. Soothing music Cd's, and something to play them on (portable like a small CD player, or an MP3 player works well.)

6. Books on CD and a portable CD player and headphones. This works great, especially for patients with migraines or neurological issues, who might have trouble seeing the TV or reading a book.

7. Buy your loved one an Ipod or MP3 player and fill it with songs to make them happy. You can even make a “themed” tape. For example: songs for friends, songs to wake up to, etc.

8. Crossword puzzle/Soduku/ game magazines are great for kids and adults too.

9. Deck of cards. This is great for anyone. Trust me if you get lonely enough or can’t sleep, you can always play solitaire

10. Hand held electronic games (gambling slots games, solitaire and blackjack are definite favorites. Although now a Nintendo DS and one of those brain games would be good or the old time favorite Tetris – if the budget allows).

11. Magazines that are personalized to the patients hobbies, tastes etc. Crafting books, politics, fashion etc.

12. Tube of unscented hand lotion and antibacterial lotion are two things that you can never have enough of. Lots of medications dry out the skin, so this is great. I also found baby wipes came in handy for quick freshen ups when I couldn’t hobble out to the bathroom.

13. Pretty diary – really good for pregnant women (anyone really) to write down what is going on, keep track of Dr’s instructions, and use as a memory book, of sorts.

14. Ready-to-use craft kit, such as cross stitch kit, or a scrap booking kit. It is good to feel productive or creative even if you can’t leave bed.

15. 2 large packs of gum, 1 mint and 1 bubble (check with Dr., or hospital if any snacks including candy should be sugar free, or any other dietary restrictions.

16. One friend did a mix tape for me with music he knew I'd love and would cheer me up. It is so easy to burn a CD with your favorite music now on most computers.

17. NON hospital food, if the patient is not restricted with her diet. Bring the patient his or her favorite snack, or take-out from her favorite restaurant.

18. A box of pretty note cards and have them all be pre- stamped- this way the patient just has to write notes to whoever they want, and they have everything write there.

19. Calling card for long distance calls from a hospital

20. Offer to do things for their apartment or house while they are sick or in the hospital. Do they need the mail taken in? Do they need some groceries bought so that their refrigerator is not bare when they get home?

21. If you can afford it, hire a cleaning service to come over for the day and do a really good cleaning on the house. This is a great gift for the first day home from the hospital, and also good for when the patient is home trying to get well and is staring at all the dust piling up, but may be too weak to clean. This will help put their mind at ease, but also it will make for a cleaner healthier environment.

22. Cook dinners that are easy to freeze and defrost. When you are sick you are too tired to cook, so helping to make easy to heat meals is a wonderful treat. Put post it notes on the dinners with easy instructions to re-heat.

23. If you are not a good cook, send some gift cards to local restaurants or take out. The worst feeling is to be tired, but also in a financial pinch due to medical bills. This helps so much.

24. If the patient has kids, offer to baby-sit. Even if it is taking the baby out for as little as one hour, that will be a wonderful gift of an hour of peaceful rest. It will also put the parents mind at ease to know that their child is getting attention and activity when they might not be able to.

25. Sounds silly—but just ask! Ask what you can do to help, or if they need anything.

26. Bring board games to help them have fun and start interacting again. It is also a great conversation starter for those of you who may get awkward visiting someone who is sick.

27. Offer to take care of pets, walk the dog! Pets feel it when their owners do not feel well, they need attention and love too.

28. When the patient feels up to it, offer to drive him or her to do something special, but short in timing. How about a manicure, or ice cream? Something quick enough to get out of the house, but not too long to be exhausting.

29. Send a card! It is so nice to get a “cheer up” or “thinking of you” card in the mail. Sometimes when people are home-bound the only thing they look forward to is the mail coming and when there is something nice in the mail box mixed in with bills and junk mail it will make the experience even better.

30. Send a care package. Get a box and fill it up with goodies. Remember how you felt at summer camp when you got a surprise package? It was so much fun to rip it open and see what was inside. Nothing has to be expensive, you can go to the dollar store and get fun little things. The idea is just to make the patient smile. Tip: I have always liked when people have written in a note “No thank you necessary.” I get a gift without the guilt of wanting to send a thank you note.

31. Send an email. Don’t wait for the right time. Don’t feel bad because you haven’t been in touch. It is always good to get a nice email. It is always refreshing to hear from old friends. Just start writing. If you want to make the email even better, just sign it “Reply when you can, no rush.” This way the receiver gets your well wishes without having to worry about a reply.

32. Offer to take your friend to other doctor appointments. Sometimes when we are so focused on one area of our health, we can unintentionally neglect other areas. Offer to help your friend keep up with other routine appointments like dentists, eye exams, obgyn, or even a regular check up. Now is not the time to let other areas of health go.

33. Happy nothing! Sometimes we only send our loved ones flowers or get well gifts when they are actually in the hospital or when things get particularly bad. But I think that makes the patient only feel love or attention when things are horrible. Do things really have to get that bad to be a good friend? If you love them today, show them today. If you can, send a bouquet of flowers just to brighten their day. There are so many gift delivery companies online that can send a wide variety of gifts. Every day is a struggle when battling a chronic condition, or going through lengthy medical treatments. Maybe you can make this day a bit better. Don’t wait for a reason, making your friend feel better and surprising them is reason enough. Who knows? You may just brighten their whole outlook and turn their day around.

34. Help with regular every day tasks. When I am sick sometimes I am overwhelmed with the every day jobs or errands that I no longer have energy for. One of the best gifts I have gotten is when friends or family have offered to help me for 1 hour to do anything. Just having company helped make the time pass and helped encourage me to do the jobs I probably couldn’t do before. For example, in the change of seasons going through clothes or straightening your closets can be a daunting task, but if you help while your sick friend lays on the bed, then you can get the job done, feel organized and talk too.

35. Bring over a warm fuzzy blanket to nap with. Something cuddly always cheers anyone up. And even if you think the person you are visiting has a lot of blankets, there is something special about the one you are going to bring- it is new, and it is from you!

36. Don't forget the standard bouquet of flowers to brighten up the room, especially if you know someone loves flowers.

Article written by Donald Miserandino, © butyoudontlooksick.com
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Why does this list have 36? That is all the ideas we came up with! Do you have ideas to add to this list? Just add them in the comments below and we will add them to the list!

Anyone who has fatigue, pain, body parts that don’t work or other things that hold you back will be able to relate to this story.

When she finds out she has MS, she at first wants to deny it. But that does no good. So then she hides it. That’s not a good plan either.

As she and her partner work on a double murder, they find this is no open and shut case. No one saw anything, the children were traumatized by finding the bodies, and he was a lawyer who placed children that needed to be adopted. There were disgruntled fathers who showed up too late to claim the child they’d created (many were never told of the birth), and they wanted their children back! One of them could be a suspect. They have to check out all the recent activities and talk to the secretary about potential conflicts that might have escalated into something else.

And, in the midst of all this, Soigner’s wife starts getting flowers – that he didn’t send her.

Soon McGuire is needed naps in the afternoon due to fatigue and she can’t hide her illness anymore. That bothers Soigner. How’s she going to do her job if she has to nap all the time? And how’s he going to pursue who’s after his wife if he has to watch McGuire?

The mystery of who killed the lawyer and his wife (but didn’t hurt their children) is complex. He and she both had their secrets, and the deeper they dig, the worse it looks. He’s was into S & M sex, she had a son from old love affair and gave him up to get the lawyer.

The son is in a private school and nothing there is at it seems.

In the meantime, Soigner is attempting to find out who the stalker is after his wife. When he does find it, it scares him even more – he’s an evil man. He’s trying to cover for McGuire and protect his wife both.

And the road to the killers is still confused – they have almost too many suspects.

When they finally get a confession, they believe it’s a false one.

To find out how it ends, you’ll need to read the book.

The information about how MS affected the detective: the symptoms, the lack of feeling, the need for rest, her hand giving up on her and then working again a bit later – all made me realize how difficult an illness this is.

If you would be interested in a copy of this book, it’s available on Amazon. It’s a very good read, I’d recommend it.

Book review submitted by JoAnn Hakola, The Book Faerie for butyoudontlooksick.com 2009

People were cheering for him, as he bet black. He looked like luck was on his side that night, but then he just broke even, no cheers that time, but no big disappointments either, he was safe. Just as I was about to walk away I watched as he lost it all. He looked frustrated and even a little mad, but he continued to play anyway. In a matter of minutes I saw such a wide spectrum of luck and emotion. I laughed to myself knowing I couldn’t even afford to play. I walked away and never forgot thinking “that is my life… a roulette wheel. I never know what I'll wake up to, what I can do, or how I am going to feel.” It’s all a risk, an unknown.

I think what makes it truly confusing for those surrounding me or anyone living with a chronic illness, is that there are days when you feel like you could run a marathon. I look great, I have a smile on and I do more than most! Then as quickly as the energy came, it leaves in a flash, and you are left with nothing. You are completely depleted of any ounce of energy you had and are left with pain in its place. It is like living two separate lives, and it is so hard to plan your life according to an unknown schedule. You need to learn to accept help, even when you don’t want it. You have to learn to always have a plan B, and be prepared for the worst, while remaining positive and hoping for the best. It’s a difficult balancing act.

In my case, anything can set it off at anytime; doing too much, a cold, an infection, stress, or even the weather. It is living on constant thin ice, never knowing when the next crack will surface causing you could to start sinking. I think of it as that spinning roulette wheel, you never know where that ball could land. There are times when I am winning and no one would ever guess that I am sick. I have gone on vacations and hiked through jungles, I have performed in shows, and been the life of the party, I have exercised, worked, and played. Then it’s like in Vegas, when your next spin could be the big bet that causes you to lose big time. I need to know that I am taking that risk whenever I do something, and use up too many of my “spoons”. Sometimes I have no choice; I lose before I ever wake up. I had no chance at a spin. I am in pain, I have no energy, I can’t move or I have been in the hospital. There are times when you break even, and those have become the good days. The days when you get what you needed to and wanted to do done, and at the end of the day you are not hurting more than when you started.

The thing is when you are dealing with your health you can’t gamble, it's not worth the risk. You are not given a choice. You aren’t rolling the dice… your disease is. So you have to learn to ride with the rolls of roulette and take it as it comes. I have gotten better at this, although it is always a battle. I hate not being able to do what I want to do. I think that just might be the worst thing about being sick, or at least the hardest thing to get used to.

My true friends have learned that plans are never definite with me until that morning, pending how I feel. I have come to use words like hopefully, maybe and likely. My family has seen that there are times when I am the life of the party, the happy hostess and helper. There are other days when I can only sit there and answer politely that I am fine, just not my peppy self that day. But what is worse about having to deal with your own highs and lows of a forever “pending illness” schedule, is having to deal with everyone else not understanding it. And although I am proud to say that great family and friends, who most of the time understand or at least accept my lack of commitment to schedules, surround me, there are times when it becomes an issue. I have to constantly explain time and time again how I am capable of things at one moment, but not at another. I have to fight feeling guilty for breaking plans; I so desperately want to be a part of. I don’t want to let people down, and I have to deal with knowing that people are questioning me. Is she being lazy? Does she just not want to do this? Don’t they know I would love to be just like them, and never have to worry, and always be able to keep a calendar? I want also to pick and choose what to do, based on nothing other that what makes me happy, but I cant. I then have to fight the instinct to not make plans at all. Then the only person I would let down is myself. It would be very easy to just not plan ahead, but then I would lead a very lonely, boring life.

I want to do as much as I can, but then there are times when I can only do so much. I have learned to deal with this; I am waiting for those around me to accept this. Sometimes I think it is harder for them to grasp this concept then for me, because I have no choice, this is all I know. A healthy person can “push” himself or herself even when tired or even sick. How can someone understand what he or she has never experienced? But someone dealing with an illness cannot “push” anything without dealing with the consequences if they can even “push” at all. The disease is in control, I have to accept not being able to spin the wheel and I have to just live with the results. Hopefully, those around me will learn to accept this too.

Essay written by Christine Miserandino, 2009 butyoudontlooksick.com

Few things in this life are as frustrating as working hard to look better, firm up or slim down and, after a few weeks -- or a few months -- of eating right and exercising STILL having nothing to show for it! But take heart; often it's just the few, simple things we do to "kick start" our program that can make all the difference.

The following 4-Step Guide will help you find the hidden saboteurs in your current diet and fitness plan and help you overcome the spring plateau to find you facing summer with a brand new you -- inside AND out:

Step 1 – Hit the "Reset" Button: When something isn't working, it's insanity to keep doing what isn't paying off. If the scale isn't budging, if your pants still feel the same around the middle, if you know you've been trying your hardest and nothing is simply working, stop beating your head against the same brick wall and start all over again. That's right; hit the "reset" button. Treat tomorrow like the first day -- not the 101st -- and use this time to reexamine how you're approaching whatever system you've been using. Don't see it as a failure but as a new opportunity to reinvigorate and reexamine your current plan for cracks and leaks to see what might be going wrong.

Step 2 – Write it Down: The best way to start from scratch is to go back and start writing down everything you put in your mouth for a few days. You may or may not have done this at the beginning of your program but, if so, do it again. Oftentimes we work so hard at the basics -- setting the alarm, exercising, cutting out one food group, etc. -- that we let other bad habits slip in, forgetting that our after-work out smoothie has more fat grams, sugar and calories than breakfast and lunch combined. It is often these systematic saboteurs that can derail an otherwise healthy fitness plan and the only way to properly identify them is to see them, in black and white, in a Food Diary.

Step 3 – Give it Up: If, thanks to Step 2, you notice that those granola bars you've been nibbling on for breakfast are packing a whopping 340-calories and 16 grams of fat, not to mention 23 grams of sugar, try something else for a week and see if you notice a difference in either your weight or the fit of your pants. If you do everything the same and, one-by-one eliminate or replace one item at a time, like a sugary-sweet "healthy" granola bar or a calorie and fat-packed "health" smoothie, you have probably just identified your plateau culprit and by eliminating or replacing it you will see more and more progress as the weeks go by.

Step 4 – Switch It Around: Lastly, the body doesn't respond well to routine. By that I mean the Law of Adaptation states that if you do the same thing, at the same pace, at the same time, for the same length of time every single day, even if it's something absolutely great for you like walking around the block six times or riding your bike for 35-minutes, your body WILL adapt and the exercise won't be as effective. It's always good to keep your body, and the Law of Adaptation, on their toes by switching up your workouts, your pace, your duration, even your mealtimes to keep the body active, your metabolism perky and your diet and fitness goals on track.

As you can see, as hard as you work, if you're not paying attention to those little details they can easily sneak up and derail all your hard work and effort. But fear not; now you have the tools -- four of them to be exact -- to be alert and vigilant for these fitness foes and diet disasters to look and feel great anytime of the year.

©2009 Wendy Chant, author of Conquer the Fat-Loss Code

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Author Bio
Wendy Chant, author of Conquer the Fat-Loss Code, is a certified personal trainer and a specialist in performance nutrition. She holds a bachelor of science degree in medical science and nutrition science. A champion bodybuilder, she opened her own training center, ForeverFit® , in 1998. For more information please visit here.

It has always reminded me of a cattle car. I feel like I should “moo” when I’m getting on. There is never enough space for two people to share an armrest. Sitting on the emergency exit aisle is best, but EVERYONE knows that. Getting there early does mean better seating, but it’s no guarantee.

Marty walks through each of these marvelous experiences and offers you tips. Most are just tongue-in-cheek, but some are valid. Can you figure out which?

First he introduces you to Irma, the very first flight attendant. She worked as one for over eighty years, retiring in 2002 from Yucatan Airlines. Uh huh…

He discusses strategies for getting the seat you want (many of them include cheating or lying), how to use your luggage as a battle weapon, and ways to discourage others from sitting next to you.

He tells you how to steal the armrest from the other fellow. How to mash others carry-ons out of your way so your bag will fit in the overhead container. How to leave the overhead container doors open so it slows the others down getting on the plane…

He explains that peanuts they serve you are part of a conspiracy. He also spends a goodly amount of time on ways to get free drinks.

He gives you hints on the best way to block the aisle upon deplaning so that no one gets out ahead of you. He even advocates stepping on feet to slow others down.

My very favorite part of this book was the last chapter. “True” stories about fellow travelers and what they’ve seen on flights. Some of these are outrageous enough they have to be true. A guy proposing to the flight attendant asking her to either marry him or let him on the plane first? A little boy boarding alone scoots off the plane and makes it back to his mother saying: “They tie you down onto these big chairs, but I got away!” Or how about the flight attendant who tells folks anything left in the overheads will be sold by Gate B1. The old lady who asks if they have anything is told it was a joke. So she had to go fetch all her friends who were waiting for the sale…

I have a signed copy of this book that I am giving away. Just email at info@bookfaerie.com and tell me why you’d like to have the book. After about a week, I’ll do a drawing and pick a winner.

Book Review written by Jo Ann Hokola, for butyoudontlooksick.com 2009

Leslie Hunt talks Lyrics, Life, and Lupus with ButYouDontLookSick.com

Leslie Hunt has been performing as a musician since childhood. By the age of thirteen, Leslie had starred in productions of “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Music Man” and performed on stage with Kenny Rogers. You may remember Leslie from American Idol Season 6 (2007), but you may not know that at the age of seven, Leslie was diagnosed with Lupus SLE . Christine Miserandino, a fellow Lupus patient, member of the Lupus Alliance of America Board of Directors, and founder of ButYouDontLookSick.com, was eager to interview Leslie and learn more about this bright young woman who lives life to the fullest and refuses to let Lupus stop her from achieving her goals. What began as an interview soon felt like a discussion between two old friends.

Leslie knew at a young age that music was her calling. She credits her parents for her musical upbringing. Her father is a drummer, and to this day plays with his band in various clubs around Chicago .

“My parents are both creative. We didn’t have conventional toys growing up, but there was always music. I remember banging on pots and pans in the kitchen and shaking Tupperware filled with beans to the beat.”

By the age of four, Leslie graduated from pots and pans to the piano, which is quite an accomplishment at any age – never mind that her peers likely had yet to master things like “staying in the lines” with their crayons.

When Leslie was first diagnosed with Lupus, she was told by doctors to spend more time indoors to avoid the sun. As with many Lupus patients, one of Leslie’s symptoms is photosensitivity.

“I learned to use music – writing lyrics and playing the piano – as an outlet. When I’m not feeling well, I can write in my home studio, reach out to fans through MySpace, or answer email – all without leaving home.”

In 2007, Leslie Hunt decided to audition for Season 6 of American Idol. Her audition set her apart from over one hundred thousand applicants, and ultimately thrust her into the national spotlight as she fought her way to the top twenty finalists.

Lupus is an “invisible disease”, and Leslie had several opportunities to either ignore her condition, or bring it to the attention of a national audience. In the interest of fair competition, Leslie says that she filled out all of the medical questionnaires appropriately, but preferred not to discuss her struggles with Lupus with other contestants.

“As a contestant, you have to fill out a stack of papers about two inches thick. I was upfront about having Lupus, but it never came up in the show. I didn’t want anyone thinking they had an advantage – there’s a fine line between what you tell and what you don’t.”

Leslie also made sure to manage her Lupus as best she could during the competition, and did so well enough to mask any symptoms from the television cameras.

“I rehearsed a lot and got rest whenever I could. I had a good time and met lots of people, but I didn’t go overboard with social activities at night. I didn’t use my time drinking or dancing, I rested when I needed to. I was worried about my skin during camera close-ups, but that turned out okay. It was nice to have help from a professional stylist before the show.”

Unfortunately, the competition ended too soon for Leslie, but she has no harsh words for the popular television series, and believes the experience taught her valuable lessons.

“One thing that I learned is that I’d rather be the ‘nice girl who got voted off early’ than be remembered as someone who was difficult to work with. In this business, and in life in general - reputations follow you.”

In June of 2008, Leslie Hunt’s dreams of musical stardom and success faced a far more serious obstacle when she and her family were confronted with the tragic and unexpected death of her sister. The news was delivered to Leslie on the eve of her wedding day.

After canceling the ceremony and grieving with her family, Leslie made the decision to continue her music career once again, despite the emotional and physical pain, no doubt exacerbated by Lupus.

“It really took a toll on me emotionally and physically. The stress brings out Lupus, which creates more stress.”

Leslie prefers a holistic approach to managing her Lupus. She believes that the physical and mental aspects of life are closely interconnected and each is equally important when addressing treatment.

Leslie’s primary medication for managing her symptoms associated with Lupus SLE is Plaquenil, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, which is known to reduce skin problems in Lupus patients and prevent swelling and pain associated with arthritis.

In addition to her daily medication, Leslie believes her health benefits from a vegan lifestyle, one that excludes the use of animals for food and other purposes. She also juices regularly, using fresh fruits and vegetables as a staple of her diet.

“I think diet is extremely important. I really recommend juicing – I’m also looking into trying a glutten free diet, which I’ve heard good things about.”

Leslie also excercises when she can, usually in the form of taking a walk with her dog. Leslie has been a professional dog walker, and has also studied to be a professional dog trainer. Her dog also helps her holistic approach on an emotional level.

“Pets are wonderful! If you aren’t feeling well – they know. My dog has more innate human emotion than some people do!”

Leslie has used her life experiences, and her observations of those around her, to create her most interesting musical work yet.

“I’ve always written in a journal – ever since I was young. I save every one. In fact, I actually rent a storage unit just so I have a place to keep all my old journals!”

Now, after undoubtedly tapping into those journals for material, she is currently preparing to release her new album “See Jane Dance,” a follow up to her 2007 debut “From The Strange To The Stranger.” The songs available on Leslie's myspace page (www.myspace.com/lesliehunt) are catchy and full of brilliant lyrics that show a wide range of feelings and emotions - from sarcastic wit to introspective personal reflection.The album will be released independently, which is something that Leslie is proud of.

“One of the nice things about working without a label - I can make my own schedule, and work at my pace. In fact, with so much business being done over the phone or through the internet, I can do interviews like this in my pajamas – and you’d never even know!”

Leslie Hunt is a hard working, driven woman who has continued her music career despite an early end to her run on American Idol, suffering through the loss of a loved one, and of course living each day with a chronic disease for which there is currently no cure. She has shown tremendous resolve and commitment, and will no doubt find her way back into the national spotlight.

When she does, we’ll be ready for an “Exclusive Pajama Interview.”

For more information on Leslie Hunt and her upcoming album "See Jane Dance" (available Spring 2009), visit her on Myspace at http:///www.myspace.com/lesliehunt. Interview conducted by: Christine Miserandino (c) ButYouDontLookSick.com

Lesle Hunt - "See Jane Dance" (available Spring 2009)

By Sheldon Paul Blau, MD and Dodi Schultz
In my opinion, this is one of the most current valuable books published on living with Lupus. I found it to be very informative and easy to read, without speaking in thick, confusing medical jargon.

I found it helpful reading about the newer therapies on the horizon. I felt more updated on new approaches and enjoyed reading the information, since it may become useful to me in the future. I also appreciated the author's efforts to put a human face on the disease by quoting real people's experiences in the first chapter. This put me at ease right away when reading the book, as I found comfort in the fact that I could empathize with many of these stories. This was a new and refreshing way to start a book and I really enjoyed the focus on "living" with Lupus, instead of just the facts of the disease itself. It seems like every book I have read focuses on the medical side of things, without a realistic grasp of what it is like to actually live with this disease. I feel this book describes both sides (medical and real-life tips) very well. It even has a full listing of internet resources including support groups, to help further the reader's research.

With 262 pages, I found this book to be an easy read, and not overwhelming, while still providing all the information you desire. Other books feel like a medical textbook- but this book has a warm feel, which is sometimes lacking in the medical community. I would recommend this book to any new patient, as well as patients who have been living with the disease for a while, as I have been. I found that I threw out some of my older books after reading this book, realizing how outdated they were and how all encompassing this book was.

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Article co written by Christine Donato and Billy Kober of Billyknowsbest.com

Their first hurdle was open heart surgery on their son when he was only one. Then he developed complications and had to go back for a longer hospital stay. But he recovered well and it has never held him back.

Bryan always has a big smile and “can do” attitude. He’s willing to try anything and loves sports.

As he grows, his sports keep evolving until he has an opportunity to go to Ireland to participate in a quest for Olympic Gold, Special Olympics style.

The trip becomes a family event – everyone goes except the grandmothers. Bryan has already fallen in love with motel rooms, so he’s all in favor of traveling. And he’s 18 so he has his first beer in Ireland (legally), too!

Their start at competition isn’t as good as they might have liked, but they continued to play and not worry about scores – they just bowled their hearts out.

When not bowling, they were seeing the sites and meeting all kinds of important people, and just having a great time.

And then, when it was all over, they found out that they were to sit in the number one position – they had won!

Tom really gives you a good insight to how special a child can be no matter what disability they may have. He also points out that most sports figures don’t have the joy, pleasure and humility in their character that the Special Olympic champions do.

There’s really a message here for all of us: Just resolve to do the best you can do and the rewards for that will come to you.

If you would like my copy of this book, which has been signed by both Tom and Bryan, please email me at info@bookfaerie.com and tell me why you’d like it. I’ll choose a winner in about a week.

Book Review written by Jo Ann Hokola, butyoudontlooksick.com 2009

B. is totally miserable in her own skin. As hard as she tries at work, her ultra skinny supervisor will not promote her to the title of Creative Director of Advertising even though she has been doing the actual job for three years. She wonders how she will ever find love, get married and have babies.

One April 14th (nothing like procrastinating) B. gets her taxes done for free funded by the city. The woman who does her taxes compliments her on how beautiful she is and B. nearly hits the floor. Why not wear contacts instead of glasses?, the woman asks. Your makeup is all wrong and so are your clothes, she tells her. "Madame" Natasha reveals to her that she runs a business of providing "comfort" to men and she thinks B. would be perfect for it. There is no sex involved; the woman assures her. You simply provide certain "services" to men and you can make a lot more money than what you are currently busting your butt doing.

B. is so curious about the job and is so tempted by the amazing money it offers that she accepts the position.

What happens after that is, as B. puts it, "Is when the story gets good. Real good."

I won't reveal what happens to B. "on the job," but through her assignments and under the mentoring of Madame, B. goes through a complete attitude change and realizes that you do not have to be thin to be beautiful and sexy.

This book was a lot of fun. B., telling the story from first person, is very funny and so are the situations she winds up in.

The thing I found most interesting about this book was that it was written by a man! He really seemed to be able to speak from a female point of view. I will be chatting with him through the Twittermoms Book Club and I plan on asking him how he did that! From a person with chronic illness or disability's point of view, this is a great book as so many of us feel we are hampered by our disabilities and the side effects they may cause, making us feel unattractive to the opposite sex. We don't even want to step "out there." This book shows that only by learning to love and accept who you are can you then be loved and accepted by others.

I would classify this book in the genre of (better) "Chick Literature." If you do not enjoy a little Chick Lit. every now and again, you may not like this book. There are also some situations that do contain funny, yet sexual situations, so if you find something like that offensive you might want to skip it. I think most will find it a great, quick and funny read and I would most definitely recommend it. It's a great beach (or sitting in the shade!) book.

Would you like to win this book? Please leave a comment here and tell me why you think this book may appeal to you or why you would want to read it. The best comment will get my "gently read" copy!

** Contest ends June 5th. **

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Emily Cullen is a pen-name. She is an active contributor on the message boards of But You Don't Look Sick? and is a member of The Silicon Valley Moms Group. She Twitters under the name mamasick.

If so, I'd recommend Dr. Lehman's book - Its Not  Just Growing Pains. Its a fairly long book (416 pages, including a glossary of medical terms and an index to find specific things quickly and easily) but it is also an interesting and informative read that won't go over the reader's head.

Dr. Lehman starts almost every chapter with an  example pertaining to that chapter, from a patient he has seen and treated, which is helpful in itself, to know that "hey someone else has this too and someone helped them!"

The Chapter I found particularly interesting was the chapter on spondyloarthopathies, which the chronic illness I have falls under. It was immensely helpful to find out more information and realize even those  symptoms I didn't think were related to my illness really are. It made me realize I'm not nuts, I  really do have something and there are ways to control it.

Besides having chapters on different medical conditions he also has a chapter on the different medications used to treat those conditions, their common use, and most common side effects. There's also a chapter on the tests that may be done, why they're done and exactly what they mean, as well as dealing with family issues, alternative  treatments, and other things that can be done.

The diseases covered in this book are: Lupus, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, spondyloarthopathies,  Uveitis and other eye complications, Lyme Disease, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Sjogren's Syndrome, Raynauds Phenomenon, Scleroderma, Dermatomyositis, Kawasaki Disease, Benign Hypermobility Syndrome,  Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,  Osteoporosis and Osteopenia.

All in all, it's a very helpful book, and if you or a  teen/child you know suffers from one of the diseases  covered in this book- you should definitely read it!