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Starting Cardiac Rehab
I’ve tried to write this blog article a few times and my thoughts haven’t flowed together in a cohesive manner. Bare with me as I work this out in my head and through my writing. I am starting cardiac rehabilitation. Most people go to cardiac rehab for heart attacks or heart failure, so this referral didn’t come easily. As I’ve been working to get back into running post surgery, my heart rate has been a prevalent problem. Running has always been the activity that makes my heart rate spike but particularly now it’s important that my muscles are functioning properly. As it was explained to me, when your body is…
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I Got A New Job
I have some very exciting news to share! I got a new job! For those of you who don’t know, I currently work at a senior living facility. I absolutely love my current job. I find it more fulfilling than I ever would’ve imagined. That being said, I have recently graduated college. I find it necessary to start my career within the field of disability studies. Although my degree is in theatre my goal has been within the last few years to meld the two fields into one. I want to use theatre as an apparatus to address and create change within the world of disabilities. So what is my…
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I'm Moving
I’m happy to announce that I am officially moving on July 1! I genuinely could not be more excited. After being bound to living at home for the past few years, I’m very ready to once again be on my own. I may not be moving to Canada like I had originally hoped but I trust that this will bring a lot of peace to my psyche. I am so grateful that I have the support system that I do. Living at home for the past two years was never my plan. It also wasn’t something that I was super excited about. That being said, it was really my only…
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Surgery on the Horizon
For a minute, I really thought I was done with surgery. Everyone kept telling me to stop saying that my right hip was my last. Low and behold, they were right because I am back on the path to surgery. My heart is heavy facing that reality. It’s something that I really wasn’t mentally prepared for. My knees have an abundance of swelling within the joint. It’s clear from the cortisol injections that there is a problem within the joint itself. It is causing the problem and pain. I went to my three month follow up for my hip excited but weary. I was well aware of the possibility that…
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Service Dog Guilt
As you may or may not know, I’ve been travelling a fair amount lately. This has significantly opened up my world and broadened my horizons. I have always had an intense love for traveling but traveling with a service dog is very different. For the most part, I can accommodate my trip to my needs and Crush’s needs but other times I can’t. Navigating a balance between his needs and my own can be difficult and sometimes it makes me feel guilty. Since I started traveling, I have left Crush kenneled more than ever before. There are a variety of reasons why this is the case. First and foremost, the…
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Ways I Prepare For Traveling with POTS
I have done my fair amount of travelling lately. It has been thrilling to see my world open back up. As it has though, I’ve seen my limitations become more present. I have less control over activities sometimes. Other times I have to opt out of activities all together due to my health. In general, I have some strategies for preparing for travel and extra activities. I hope these five tips help you like they have helped me! Salt and Electrolytes This is obvious but I LOAD UP on salt and electrolytes while I’m on vacation. After having a difficult conversation with my doctor, it was apparent that our current…
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Staying In Minnesota
It’s hard for me to write this article. It is not the news I wanted to share with you. I am staying in Minnesota. While I feel there are a lot of benefits to this reality, the cons are present and weighing on me. I had hoped that I would share with you that I was headed to Canada for Graduate School. Due to the fact that I only applied to two programs and the limited space available, I am not. I received this news while I was at work. To say that it was a devastating blow is an understatement. For the past few months I have been sitting…
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Health Updates
Since it’s been a while, I thought I’d give you some updates on my health. Great news to start, I have still remained out of the hospital. Bad news, I have had a few run-ins with the ER. I also had syncope for the first time in quite a while. Both were difficult blows. That being said, I’m working really hard to maintain my health. I’m working closely with my doctors to find a regiment that works. I’m utilizing both medication and home remedies that keep me up right and functioning. My allergies have been kicking up. As normal allergy season comes around, I start to struggle a little more.…
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Tips For Flying With A Service Dog
A week ago, I took my first flight with Crush. Crush and I have been a team for a year and a half. We have an unbreakable bond with each other and work together well. Despite that, I was still quite nervous to fly with him. I get anxious flying regardless of additional obstacles. Flying with Crush was going to be a beast of its own. That being said, here are some tips that made my life easier. Spoiler alert: our trip went great! Crush was a dream and I didn’t have a single problem the entire time. Make Calls I called the airline, hotel, etc. I made sure everyone…
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I Graduated
It has been a while since my last update. Allow me to fill you in on the highlights of the last few weeks. First off, I graduated! I wanted to wait to post something about this. Despite celebrating my graduation in May, I didn’t finish my degree until last week. As of last Friday, I am completely finished and a college graduate with a BA in Theatre. This feels incredibly exciting. Not just because I graduated college but because I did it while battling with my health. The last four years have taught me a ton. Not only about theatre and education but more than anything, it has taught me…
