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How to fight Lupus with Lupus diet and alternative therapies Improve the Quality of Life One Endeavour at a Time Personalized Baby Clothing and Toddler Clothing at Adorable Baby Clothing |
 How To: Clean A Room in Record TimeThe Room: Bathroom The Time Frame: 10-25 minutes, depending on the size of your bathroom. The tools: Dollar store rags, The Works tub and tile cleaner, Clorox disinfecting wipes, Lysol Deep Clean toilet bowl cleaner, toilet brush, Lysol multi-purpose disinfecting cleaner, Febreeze fabric refresher in antimicrobial, Febreeze Air Effects in Rocky Spring and Cool (or your favorite scent), a mop. Want to get away? Read a book!If you’re at the end of your day (or your rope) and would like to escape the world, try a book! You can travel to the other side of the world and look through scenic booklets of foreign attractions, read about other country’s cultures, or read about foreign explorations – all from your armchair. You can read about wizards, fairies, dragons, and magic – and pretend you’re there, too! Hunt for treasures, seek a crown, and fight evil – without leaving home… Visiting the Mayo ClinicMaybe you've exhausted your hometown's medical resources. Or maybe your doctors want to collaborate with a research facility regarding your condition. Or maybe you just want the expertise of the top specialists. Going to the Mayo Clinic is something many people only do once, and it really is to your benefit to be prepared. What follows are tips that are specific to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, but most can be applied to a trip to any major specialty facility or research hospital. The most important items, medical biographies and summaries, will be included at the end of this article. "Spoonie" Household Cleaning and Organizing Tips:This very helpful general list of "life learned" tips and suggestions was written by one of our message board moderators, LindaK. (With some help and tips from other members.)This list is chock filled with helpful goodies that will save you "spoons"!.
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How to Find Books In Large PrintThe easiest way to find books in large print is to do an internet search for them. Here are some tips. Tip: Have Spoons, Will Travel...I used to travel a lot for work back in the day and now we still do several trips a year - so I have a bunch of tips that make traveling more bearable for me. Like to read, but can't sit still?I’m a voracious reader, but don’t always have a lot of time to read, so I’ve developed some ways to get my reading in without giving up my working time. I read a lot of short stories. First off, I love short stories because they tell the whole tale in a few pages and often have ironic endings that stick in my mind much longer than a novel does. Pregnancy & Fibromyalgia: Lessons Learned and Other Random ThoughtsI’m not an expert. And one thing I am sure of is that everyone is unique, one’s body reacts to things in her own way, and that there is no predictability of what’s going to happen. Having a 15-month-old son, I think back on the whirlwind of pregnancy, remembering things I wish I had known just so I could prepare and know what I might be up against. I’m sharing these thoughts in hopes that someone out there will be able to make the pregnancy trip just a bit more smoothly. Just to be clear, having my baby is a lifelong dream. I want to have many more as soon as I can! But, for me, knowledge is power and hopefully I can be of some service to those out there who were in the same position as me: desperately wanting children, already having made that choice to build a family, but have no clue what might come with this new transition in life.
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Re-discovering your local libraryI work part time in a public library on Long Island and boy have libraries changed. When my children were younger, the library was a wonderful place where we went to read and pick up books to take home. During the summer, they were excited to take part in a program called Reading is Fundamental, where reading a certain amount of books earned them points and books to keep. The library is now so much more than just books. Fast forward to 2008 and the library, instead of being replaced by the Internet, has now become a great place for all kinds of programs and community events. I can only speak for my library and my area, but we have something for everyone and there are so many added benefits for those with a disability. ButYouDontLookSick.com Top Ten Most Popular ArticlesI know it is easy to only read and focus on the stories and articles that are featured on the front page of our site, but sometimes it is good to take a look back. With a new year upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to re- introduce you to some of our most popular articles on butyoudontlooksick.com. I decided what was most popular by click count and my reader feedback. (Please note that I focused on articles and essays this time around, and did not include reviews from our directory of product, service, book, movie, and website reviews.) If the following articles are new to you, I hope you enjoy them! If you read them when they were originally posted, I encourage you to take this opportunity to revisit the articles. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new.
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Basics of Online ShoppingAs someone who rarely gets out, online shopping has been a savior to reducing stress in my life when it comes to purchasing gifts or other items for my household. A few weeks ago, my husband and I had early 20-somethings over after church services, and we got to talking about Christmas shopping and how we managed it. I was surprised to see how people younger than me (and I am only 28) were shocked that the abundance of our family’s purchases came from Amazon.com Student Tips: How to Make it Through School-When Sleeping Sounds More SensibleHere are tips on how to survive school when you suffer from FMS or any other chronically painful illness. I did survive and am alive to tell the tale. I did not know these tips, when I was in high school, so what I did instead, was
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Top Ten Cold and Flu hints and productsIn the winter it's harder not to get sick, than it is to remain healthy throughout the season. For many reasons, we find ourselves grabbing for the tissues instead of our vacation guides. Many of us already are sick 365 (or 366 if it's a leap year!!) days of a year, so we need to get over this whole mess fast! Here are the top ten tips and products to help you get through the cold and flu season this year.
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Tips For Writing out Christmas Cards EasilyThis is the time of year to give and receive Christmas cards! I love opening my mailbox and finding Christmas cards, it's so much fun. However, when you have a chronic illness, the task of Christmas card writing can be a little
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Tips: How to Wrap Christmas Gifts EasilyIt's fun to get gifts, but wrapping them especially if you have sore or weak hands can be hard. Here are a few tips to help you wrap Christmas gifts easily.
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Tips for the chronically Ill: Writing thank you notesAfter a recent party, I had to tackle the task of writing thank you notes. I know I always like to receive thank you notes, since they brighten up a dreary day. Likewise, I am a grateful person and want to show appreciation for any gift or favor I receive, but there are times, due to fatigue, hand pain, or just plan lack of motivation when writing thank you notes can be a big, overwhelming task. The following tips have helped me and I hope they help you.
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Holiday Tips: Let Go Of The Guilt of Using ShortcutsMany of us have long-held family traditions, which we feel is our duty to uphold each year. From slow roasting a large turkey and kneading homemade rolls at 4 am on Thanksgiving to baking 40 varieties of cookies around December. (I have only narrowed mine down to 25 varieties, but I'm working on it!) Many of us also face the reality that our illnesses can't always allow us the good fortune of having that much energy, stamina, drive and/or
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Air Travel Tips for the Chronically Ill: Meeting TSA Regulations, Wheelchair Advice(EDITORIAL NOTE: This is an update to TRAVEL TIPS article written for butyoudontlooksick.com in March 2005. This was and still is one of our most popular and helpful articles. Click here to read the original.) If you haven't flown for a few years, you may be confused by the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules or how best to abide by them. Here are some up-to-date suggestions for dealing with Moving Tip: Location IS Everything!How many times have you opened a drawer, cabinet or closet and spied an item that you had every intention of using, but don't? It's really frustrating... you have spent good money on that item and now it just sits, gathering dust. Why? Simple... out of sight, out of mind! Moving Tips for the Chronically IllAccording to psychologists, moving is one of the most stressful events in one's life that doesn't involve the loss or gain of a family member. That is true regardless of your health status. While there is probably no such thing as a 100 percent trouble free move, there are steps you can take to cut back on the amount of effort required. Tip: The Rainy Day FundRecently I had to go to Chicago for a two week inpatient hospital stay. The good news was that it seems to really have helped with the 'frequency and intensity' of my illness. (Don't you hate how doctors use that phrase?) Anyway, I'm glad I have health insurance, and while I haven't gotten the bill, I'm pretty sure my co-pay is going to set me back a good semester's worth of tuition. (I keep telling myself it's worth it!) Knowing that I was going to be putting so much money into the bill, I really couldn't afford much else and was graced by kind friends who took me in while I waited before and after my stay in the city. Back to School tips for ParentsBeing pro-active, positive, and organized are the keys to success in school! Care Giver Support: Handling the Unexpected With an Elderly Loved OneThe other day my mother had a medical emergency and I was totally unprepared. I had always prided myself on the fact that since my daughter Christine had Lupus, I was pretty good at handling emergency hospital visits. But this time it was my 82 year old mom and I did not have the situation or myself under control.
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Article: Houseplants Made EasyPlants freshen up a home and bring life to even the dreariest sick room. When you can't get outside much, houseplants can help to bring the outside in to you and lift your spirits. However, Spoonies - indeed most people generally! - should select their houseplants carefully: there is nothing uplifting about dead and dying plants. The Power of Silly!Those of us who live with a chronic illness, deal with a lot of difficult emotions. I often find myself with feelings like frustration,boredom, loneliness, sadness, etc. For me, these emotions become their strongest at night, when I usually cannot sleep or go out. My biggest coping skills- going out for a walk or talking with a friend, are not options in the middle of the night. So, how can you alleviate these feelings when you are in your house by yourself? Dancing is one good way. The Power of Silly!Those of us who live with a chronic illness, deal with a lot of difficult emotions. I often find myself with feelings like frustration,boredom, loneliness, sadness, etc. For me, these emotions become their strongest at night, when I usually cannot sleep or go out. My biggest coping skills- going out for a walk or talking with a friend, are not options in the middle of the night. So, how can you alleviate these feelings when you are in your house by yourself? Dancing is one good way. The Benefits of Tai Chi for Those With Chronic ConditionsWith my slow legs, working out is something I’ve had to forgo this past year, but since I’m usually active, I’ve wracked my brain for absolutely anything I can do to keep the juices flowing. What I came up with is the low-impact sport of Tai Chi.
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2007’s Top Ten “Disability Hygiene” Helper ListThese helpful items and ideas will soon become a staple in your home.
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Isolation Due to IllnessDo you ever feel isolated and alone due to your illness? Isolation or alienation from family and friends can become cumbersome and hard to deal with, as your disease/illness progresses. Tips for Traveling with a Chronic Illness!What is one of the most stressful things to do during the holidays? Travel!!! Most of us have more than one place to be this holiday season, whether it's traveling between in-laws or traveling between family members, it's still the
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A Warning to Self Help JunkiesAs I went about dusting and organizing my bookshelf, I noticed something that I've never paid much attention to before. I realized just how many self help books I had, with rows and rows of books offering promises of better days, better body, better memory, greater spiritual fulfillment, etc.. The Power at your Fingertips- Take a Closer LookHave you looked at your nails lately?? I mean really looked at your nails? They are talking to you. No, I'm completely sane. Your nails may offer clues about your health which you didn't know.
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Article: Watch Your Meds!Last night, I saw a disturbing story on the news. A local realtor had been caught on videotape entering a client's home while the owners were away, so he could steal painkillers from their medicine cabinet! What's even worse is that this was the sixth house he had robbed. He has entered a treatment program for substance abuse and will likely lose his realtor's license. What the story didn't mention, though, is how the clients who were robbed were affected. Could something like this happen to you? Going organic?Have you thought about it? The Dreaded Grocery Store: Tips on saving time and energy while grocery shoppingOut of all the areas my illness kills the joy for-grocery shopping is number one on the top ten list! Just the mere thought of grocery shopping makes me want to crawl into bed and declare myself on a fast! I simply cannot stand grocery stores. Easy Food Prep for the Chronically Ill PersonAs a professional organizer faced with several chronic conditions, I do my best to eat fresh foods- don’t we all? But there are days when you just don’t have a single brain cell available to think about “What’s in the house?”or. “What do I have energy to fix?” or “What am I interested in eating/can stand to eat/have enough energy to eat?”
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Stepping into the Shower with Chronic IllnessAh, showering. That major task that, for those of us with a chronic illness, ranks right up there on the energy scale with oh, lawncare? Home renovation? Maybe car repairs? Why, I have to schedule personal hygeine days right along with doctor appointment days, grocery shopping days, and all those days which contain that one major endeavor, that spends all our "spoons" in one place.
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3 Steps to Maintaining Friendships through the Chaos of your IllnessI was sixteen when I was first diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. At that age, most teenagers are at the height of self-expression and feelings of invisibleness. Making friends and sharing who you are with your friends is one of the most cherished parts of youthfulness. But when you are teenager with a chronic illness, it can be very difficult to keep up the pace and the level of commitment it takes in order to strengthen friendships in your life. For me, I had less than a handful of friends that understood my physical and oftentimes, cognitive(forgetfulness) limitations.
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Breaking the Ice on Sex, Intimacy & Chronic IllnessI was diagnosed with SLE in my teens, long before I'd become sexually active. When sex became a part of my identity, instead of being a glorious whirlwind of sloppy kisses and knock-your-socks off orgasms, I viewed it as
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Everything I thought I knew about going to the hospital. ( also known as do what you gotta do)Unfortunately when you have a child with a chronic illness, you come to think of yourself as some sort of expert on the subject. It's not exactly a specialty that you dreamt of having, but one nonetheless that you take ownership of with some sense of pride. Articles and TipsOur collection of Tips and Articles are growing every day. Please take a moment to view the topics on the left to read the most current articles. Hopefully you will enjoy reading them as we enjoyed writing them.
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. And I do mean abundance!