Baby, Baby, Baby (#NHBPM Day 11)

I am supposed to be writing about what works well in my community BUT my brother and his wife had a baby this morning and that is WAY more fun to write about!  Yes, I have become an aunt again.  You know what they say, always an aunt...  or is that always a bridesmaid?  Anyway, little Reese entered this world at (pregnant pause for full effect) 11:11 am on 11/11/11.  Can you believe it?  She is an adorable little six pound baby girl.

I am so happy to report everyone is healthy and made it through with flying colors.  The family is texting and emailing.  Anyway, this is my post for today.  New baby news!  Yay!

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J   

What Makes Me Happy (#NHBPM Day 10)

Happi sunning herself by adrienne

What makes me happy?  My pets make me happy.  Watching my dogs run around our backyard makes me smile.  Happi has three legs and nothing slows her down.  She runs around as fast as she can.  She loves to hunt birds, the neighbor's cat and mice in the backyard. I know you won't believe it but she smiles all the time.  Happi loves to chase Lucky round and round in the backyard.  It is only time until one of them falls into the pond.

Lucky is so excited all the time and everything seems so new to her.  Her tail wags so much that her whole back end shakes and wiggles.  Sometimes she does this Cirque du Soleil move that cracks me up.  It makes you laugh just looking at her.

Backyard (aka Indy 500 track for the dogs) by adrienne

Sometimes I like to go outside and watch the fish swimming in the pond.  A few months ago we got some new baby fish and now they are about 3-4 inches long.  It is exciting to see them grow.  They are so cute swimming around in the pond. The babies growing make me smile.

Sunny singing by adrienne

Listening to my bird Sunshine (Sunny) singing in his cage makes me happy.  He likes to say "pretty bird".  I love to hear him whistle and sing during the day.  He also climbs around his cage and when he wants attention, he climbs upside down on the ceiling of his cage.

That is one of the great things about animals, they are happy all the time.  They just want to have a great time and be there for you.  When I am down or just want a laugh, all I need to do is look at my babies.  They never let me down.  What makes me happy?  My babies just being themselves.

What makes you happy?  Share with us the things that make you happy.

I told you I would spill the beans about which things were the truths and what was the lie.
a) I have a tattoo of a butterfly and a rose.
b) I used to cross stitch but have not been able to lately.
c) I never took the LSATs.  I took the GMATs and did horribly.  I never wanted to go to law school but people said I should be a lawyer.  This is the lie.
d) I was the photo editor of my college newspaper and that story was true.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J   

My TV Show Not My Personal Brand (#NHBPM Day 9)

Today I am supposed to write about My Personal Brand. But I am not going to.  I can't think of anything I would rather not do.  I don't think I have a personal brand.  So I am going to write about My TV Show.

Imagine my blog turned into a TV show!  The main star would be adrienne.  She would live in a city with her two wacky dogs and her partner.  She has her own business with all these clients with all these problems.  adrienne would try to solve them.   

And oh yeah, she would have RA.  She is an advocate for RA.

Boy, what a boring show!  The pilot would suck so bad that it would be cancelled in the first week.  You never know how boring your life is until you try to write it as a sitcom.  No wonder Jerry Seinfeld and George Castanza had such a hard time...

How would you describe your own life as a TV Show?  Let's hope it is more interesting than mine. 

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J   

Three Truths And One Lie (#NHBPM Day 8)

I am supposed to write three truths and one lie and it is up to you to tell me which is which.  This is really hard because I am such an open book.  Once you talk about your poop, what is there left to keep secret?  Good luck!

A. I have a tattoo of a rose and butterfly.  My old partner and I got these matching tattoos in a place most people can't see.   Ugh, now I wish I could alter it somehow so it was different.  I would get another one but I worry that it could make me sick with infection.  Oh, and when I had appendicitis the surgeon cut into me on the left side so he wouldn't cut open my tattoo.  Wasn't that nice?

B.  I would have said I scrapbooking but I already gave that one away!  I used to do cross stitch.  I made many little cross stitch ornaments and a picture that I hand up during the Christmas holidays.  I still have a pattern that I keep and hope that some day I will work on of Lady and the Tramp.

C.  I always secretly wanted to go to law school.  I studied for the LSATs but never took the test, therefore I never applied to law school.  I guess I worried I didn't study hard enough, who knows, I was young and stupid.  I have been told by many people over the years I should have gone to law school because I love to argue and can see both sides to an argument. Instead I ended up getting my Master's in Nonprofit Management years later. I guess it all worked out for the best.

D.  I was the photo editor of my college newspaper for one year.  I got the position because the current photo editor took me on assignment and had me photograph the coin thingy on a washing machine.  He then claimed the published photo  was his.  He got caught (it was a really good photo!) and I was given his job.  Not exactly how one wants a job but, hey, you take 'em where you get 'em.

Okay, now you tell me which one is the lie.  I bet even my family won't be able to tell you!  Take a guess...  See if you can figure it out.  I will reveal later this week.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J   

Case Of The Mondays (#NHBPM Day 7)

This blog post is really hard for me.  The topic today is to write about something that gets me down, burns me out or makes me sad.  I guess one thing that is hard is when I have a Crohn's attack for an extended time.  Last spring I had an attack that lasted for 2 months.  It just wears me out.  The multiple trips to the bathroom each day.  And they are not quick trips to the bathroom either!  Luckily my dogs come in to visit me because they miss me.  Then there is the fatigue from the constant bathroom visits and horrible eating.  I just want to curl up on the couch.  The food situation is crazy!  I can only eat a few things.  Here is a list: baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, white rice, french fries, tater tots, toast, and sorbet.  Sounds delicious but day in and day out it gets boring.  How many days can rice seem interesting and nutritious?

The best way to keep a Crohn's attack from happening is to stick to the diet plan and eat what I know will keep me healthy.  Also to take my medicine.  I try, I really do!  But sometimes I want to go out to eat and have PF Changs.  It is my downfall.  Yummy fried tofu in a delicious sauce.  I am drooling just thinking about it.  So if I stick to my food plan and take my meds, I will stay healthy and not too many trips to the bathroom.  Yay!  That is the best blog I can write on this subject.  This was really hard!

What gets you down?  What burns you out?  What makes you sad?  Tell me about it and tell me how you turn it around. 

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J   

If I Could Do Anything As A Health Activist… (#NHBPM Day 6)

If I could do anything as a health activist and money was not an issue, I would cut back the hours I spend with my company and spend my time working toward a cure for RA/Crohn's.  I know that is a lofty goal but hey, if I can't dream big here on my blog, where can I dream?  So, I am rich and I don't have to work.  I would get more involved with fundraising for RA/Crohn's.  Because one thing I know is that it is easier to fundraise in a big way when you have money!  I would also have access to people who make a difference.  I would be able to talk to the politicians who make the decisions.

Darn, now I have to bring it back to reality.  I liked being rich.  I was so relaxed not having to worry about my health insurance for just a few minutes.  Sigh...  Okay, what can I commit to in one year?  I will continue to be an Arthritis Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation.  I find the time commitment to be reasonable and I find the work satisfying.  I hope to attend the Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC this spring.  I will try to fundraise and participate in the Arthritis Walk this year.  Maybe I can get some folks to walk with me.  Anyway, those are my thoughts about what I would do as a Health Activist.

What would you do if you could do anything as a health activist?  What if money was no object?

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J  

5 Things That Changed My Life (#NHBPM Day 5)

This is really hard. To think of five things that significantly changed my life.  Okay, I am going to make this list without thinking too much.  Five things, right now.  Go!

1. Becoming a vegetarian.  It was the best decision for my health.  I know there are a few people in my family that will argue with me about this and would force feed me chicken given the opportunity.  I know if I went into a coma there would be chicken soup slipped into my feeding tube if my partner didn't stop it!   I have been a vegetarian for almost thirty years and I know I am healthier than most folks.
2. Moving to the West Coast.  I knew that moving away from where I grew up and striking it out on my own was what I needed to do.  I needed a fresh start and a place where I could become a new person.
3. Deciding to go back to school and getting my Master's degree.  I never thought I was very smart and didn't do very well in school.  One of my siblings was a straight A student and I was decidedly NOT.  It was difficult to follow him through school.  It was affirming to get an advanced degree. 
4. Being diagnosed with RA and Crohn's and all the other autoimmune diseases I have.  Now, at this point you would think I would say this was a bad thing but then you would be wrong.  I think the diagnosis was the best thing that happened to me.  Prior to my diagnosis I was a workaholic who was very stressed out all the time and never took a minute to contemplate anything.  I had lost myself.  After my diagnosis I started my own business, quit my crazy job with my crazy boss (a story for another time!), started taking care of myself through better food and emotional health.  I also moved out of a toxic apartment and moved into a house.  Sure RA has it's down side but it just makes me see the good side.  I can't imagine having RA and Crohn's in that tiny little apartment with all the noisy neighbors...
5. Starting my own business has been a life saver.  I don't have to be at work at a certain time every day.  If I don't feel well, I can sleep in.  I can work in the middle of the night if I have to.  I can work around my doctor's appointments and don't have explain to a boss that I have, yet again, another doctor's appointment to go to.  Or explain that even though I don't look sick, yes I am sick.

There you go.  The five things that changed my life.  Of course meeting my partner changed my life and adopting my pups changed my life too but you all have heard about that.  So what 5 things changed your life?  Is it getting married?  Having children?  Climbing Mount Everest?  Meeting Johnny Depp?  Going to Disney World?  Come on and tell me!

By the by, I started a scrapbooking project today.  I really love to scrapbook but I rarely have time to do it.  I was going to work in the backyard but it started raining so I thought I would work on my project instead.  I make scrapbooks of vacations, family reunions, and one of my dog.  This one is of the recent family reunion.  If you have not scrapbooked, it is a huge project.  First you have to pick out the scrapbook, then the do-dads that you are going to use in the scrapbook, and then print the photos you are going to use.  Once all of the prep is done, it is time to lay it all out with the background paper.  Then it is time to layout the photos, do-dads and background paper and when it looks good, adhere everything.  I have finished a few pages so far.  It looks good.  If the rain continues tomorrow I may finish it.  I love to see them when they are complete.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J  

The Fear of Hitting "Publish" (#NHBPM Day 4)

The topic today is "What happens when you press "publish"?  I know that the minute I press publish, I have a momentary panic.  I have a fear that I have sent a blog post to a bunch of people (some I know and some I don't) that doesn't have the correct photo or the words spelled correctly!  I preview the post many times before I press publish.

I worry will they like it?  Will it be funny?  Will it be informative? Am I whining?  Will it be too gross?  Will they get sick of hearing about my dogs?  Am I complaining too much?  Am I upbeat?

I probably spend too much time rereading and editing.  Sometimes I hit publish and then I find a mistake and go back and edit it.  I very rarely hit publish in a relaxed state.  I guess this is my desire for perfection.  My Type-A personality.

I do have to say that I am really happy writing this blog.  I have not regretted it for one minute.  No matter what, I will continue to write about my dogs!

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J 

Blogging for 30 Days (#NHBPM Day 3)

I have joined a group called Wego Health and they have a challenge for it's members to blog 30 posts in 30 days on health issues.  So I am taking that challenge!  They have given us a list of topics in case we get writers block.

I am also starting a new idea.  Since friends and family want to know how I am doing and I don't always want to write about it, I thought I would start using a emoticons to say if it is a

Good day



 Bad day

Just an okay day



The first two posts for 11/1 and 11/2 were to write the Title of My Future Book and My TV Show.  Skipping past those for right now, I am going right to 11/3 Write a Letter to My 18 Year Self.

The things I would tell my 18 year old self would be:

• things will get better
• life will get on track, just have patience
• do the things you want to now (because you will get RA and you might not be able to them later on!)
• you will move far away
•  college will end but not in four years
• believe it or not you will go to graduate school 
• you will get married, divorced and find a partner (there's a twist you probably didn't see coming)
• there will be these things called Ipods, Iphones, Ipads (funny sounding, I know)
• everyone will stop using LPs, then CDs and then MP3s
• Schools will stop teaching cursive writing, stop having gym, art and music classes
• you will own that red convertible

 What would you tell your 18 year old self?  Share your story.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J 

The Funny Side Of Crohn's (#NHBPM Day 2)

Today I saw my gastroenterologist.  There is a sentence I really didn't think I would ever say or at least wouldn't say until I was in my 80s.  I am really lucky that I get visit my gastroenterologist about every three months.  Talking about bowel movements and gas, what fun!  Today we discussed what my stool looked like.  She asked the question like she was asking me how my vacation was.  It took me a bit off guard.  I actually stuttered when I answered.  What do you say?  Solid, watery, regular....  

For a person with Crohn's what is regular?  I am lucky if I only have to poop (I prefer the term poop.  I use it for my dogs and for myself.) three times a day.  One lovely side effect of Crohn's is having to poop many times a day.  Some days it is more and some days less.  

Sometimes my poop is really messy and sometimes it is not.  I always keep those wet wipes handy.  Last time I was at the doctor's office I asked about having a sore tush (another one of my fav terms) and she prescribed Desitin.  You know for babies who have a rash on their tushies.  Now I am in my mid-life and I am using Desitin on my tush.  I guess it is true, we grow old and at a certain point, we start to go backward and become a baby again.  I guess I am on my way.

Oh, I haven't talked about food and Crohn's.  Here is a fun topic.  If I cook my own food I am usually fine but if we eat out at a restaurant, oh no.  Sometimes the rich food at restaurants goes right through me.  It is helpful if I make it home first!  One time we ate out and then decided to go to a bar.  I was at the bar for less than one hour when I had an OH NO moment.  I certainly was not going into a bar bathroom to have a Crohn's attack.  Crohn's attacks are really the type of thing you want to have in your home bathroom.  So I caught a taxi home and just made it to a bathroom just in time.  Phew!

My doctor said I don't have to be scoped (colonoscopy and/or endoscopy) and I don't have to go back for six months!  Yeah!  As much as I enjoy being cleaned out with a bottle washer, I think there should be a limit on how often one person can get scoped, like every 10 years.  Ha ha.  Okay every 5 years.