I’ve often shared about my “Sunday SubQ” routine of clearing my afternoon schedule, turning on my guilty pleasure reality TV shows and administering my weekly dose of subcutaneous immune globulin (SCIG). However, I recently grappled with what to do when two Sundays in a row happened to be holidays and my infusions were due. Luckily, when it comes to SCIG, it’s easy to flex the infusing schedule by two days, either way! [More]

Five years ago, when I started blogging on the professional level, I was highly encouraged to include social media pages that corresponded with my blog. And, even though my local paper no longer supports blog content, I continue to promote my writing through social media. About a year ago, I branched my content into the world of TikTok, where I came upon an adorable geriatric pug, Noodle, and his wonderful adoptive owner, Jonathan Graziano. [More]

There is no doubt about it. It’s an ongoing juggling act to be chronically ill. If we aren’t juggling our energy stores, we are juggling our med schedules. And nobody can dismiss for a moment the juggling chronically ill patients and their families must do to pay for those meds. If meds are in the rare disease category, it’s a bigger juggle. I’m beginning to think I should have gone to clown school instead of college. [More]

By Dawn DeBois

When I transitioned from monthly intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) treatments to we [More]

Immune globulin (IG) patient Dawn DeBois explains to readers how people who suffer from chronic illness have their own type of SAD. [More]

My home state of Maine has not been exempted from the recent heat wave that has encompassed most of the United States. The heat is difficult for many, but I have a neuromuscular disease that is exacerbated by the heat, so I must be particularly careful to stay cool and hydrated. Each morning, I do two things without fail. First, I open all the windows at 5 a.m. to fill my rental with cool air before the outside heat necessitates closing them again and turning on the air conditioning. Second, I mix a hydration packet into my water. I can’t help but think of how similar this second routine is to my immune globulin (IG) treatment regimen. [More]

At 46 years old, I found myself officially disabled due to multiple autoimmune diseases and a soon-to-be diagnosed rare disease. My 40s certainly hadn’t turned out the way I had hoped. I was spending all my time on specialist visits, disability applications, diagnostic procedures and treatment protocols. None of this was what I had envisioned when starting my family in my early 20s. [More]

Have you ever heard the phrase “two steps forward, one step back”? It is intended to mean things are not going well. The phrase is an excellent way to express how you feel when your efforts do not seem to be getting you where you want to go quickly. For me, the phrase is a great way to describe life with a chronic illness. I have been fortunate enough to complete an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree, and I am currently working on another. But my educational experience has not gone like other people’s. [More]

When I was first diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, I was sad, afraid and overwhelmed, not to mention angry my doctor went right to medicine to mitigate my condition. I weighed the pros and cons of starting pharmacological therapy and got stuck in the weeds: Was a prescription drug my only option? What if I had an adverse reaction? What if it made my condition worse? What if I couldn’t afford it? What if all I really had to do was change my lifestyle — wouldn’t that be better for me? [More]

As Mother's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting deeply on the intersection of my illness and motherhood. My journey as a mother has been uniquely shaped by the challenges of living with a chronic condition, and it's a topic close to my heart as we celebrate this special day. Being a mother while coping with chronic illness has presented its share of difficulties. [More]

Earth day is quickly approaching. Do you ever observe it? If not, why not?
I’ll be the first to admit it: Observing Earth Day isn’t always at the top of my springtime to-do list. Instead of motivating me to take better care of the environment, it usually makes me feel guilty that my day-to-day choices aren’t as earth friendly as they could be and obligated to spend my day purging my home of toxic products, stocking up on green alternatives, planting a dozen trees and spending hours picking up trash in the neighborhood park.
Who has the time and resources for all that — let alone the energy? [More]

I’ll confess: I watch TikToks. Yes, you heard me right. My teenage daughters got me into them by sending me cute animal videos. Now, when I am bored, I find myself scrolling through streams of videos, from adorable dog reels to hilarious takes on what it means to be a Gen Xer. But, as cute as some of the videos can be, it isn’t all fun and games. Its got a dark side, too. [More]

Ready or not, Easter is only a little more than a week away. Can you believe it? Even though there isn’t quite as much retail pressure to make Easter a “perfect holiday,” there is still the tug to “do it all.” Easter baskets and egg hunts; fancy brunches and matching outfits; family gatherings and sunrise services — it all adds up, and our energy reserves can easily become depleted by just thinking about it all! This is especially true for people with a rare disease or chronic illness. Making the most of the precious moments you have is important, but is it possible to make your energy stretch? [More]

As a person who recognizes the profound impact support animals have on individuals' mental, emotional and physical well-being, I also acknowledge the need to understand the legal distinctions between emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals, especially concerning rights and protections under the law. These distinctions include legal requirements, documentation protocols, permissible inquiries by businesses and the ramifications of violating privacy laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Additionally, it is essential to acknowledge the supremacy of federal law over city or state statutes, particularly regarding matters such as breed restrictions, thereby ensuring equitable access for individuals with support animals. [More]

When it comes to snacks, a snack-sized bag of animal crackers is way more fun to eat than a bowl of baby carrots — unless you’re my son. When he was just 2 years old, the kid was aghast when we ran out of them.
After playing outside, he ran up to me midmorning, clearly hungry, and asked, “Mama, carrots please?”
“Sorry bud, but they’re all gone.”
With an audible gasp and mouth agape, he put his hands on top of his head as if to say, “Oh no!” but words failed him. [More]

Caregiving is a noble and fulfilling responsibility, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Many caregivers find themselves struggling to strike a balance between their caregiving duties, work commitments and personal lives. In this article shared by IG Living, we will provide you with practical tips to help you navigate this challenging but rewarding journey. [More]