Are you EXHAUSTED because you're constantly trying to explain yourself... all the time... to everyone? When you have to say no, when you have to reschedule, when you have to limit yourself, when you're not feeling well... and on and on to forever.

Today I talk about how to handle this and how to make sure this emotional exhaustion doesn't hurt your closest relationships.

It's the most wonderful time of the year... which means all kinds of gift giving is going on. Today I talk about 12 different gifts most people with a chronic illness would absolutely love! I also talk about what NOT to gift and why!

If you've been diagnosed with any form of ANCA Vasculitis someone has probably talked to you about Rituximab/Rituxin. Today I talk about my process in the first year of being sick and getting three rounds of Rituximab as well as the consequences of being on high doses of prednisone.

Do you find yourself getting anxious when you make plans? I do.

I LOVE that I am even in a place to think about all of this. To put it on the calendar and HOPE that I will be able to do it.

Then, right after that sense of excitement peaks - I feel that tense feeling in my chest and my heart starts to race and I start breathing shallow and I can’t help but go down the “what if” rabbit hole.

If you do too. This one is for you!

The BEST way to support Team Vasculitis is to join the Team Vasculitis Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/teamvasculitis

Follow and meet other warriors:
https://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

Can we stop with the focus and mindset and all of the bull about “at least it’s not cancer.” Just stop. I get a ton of messages of people dealing with this toxic perspective. Things like “I know it could be worse, it could be cancer.” Or “I know others have it worse, dealing with things like cancer…”

Today I break down the psychology and a few facts about why this is TOTALLY incorrect!

Join us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

Support us in the Patreon:
https://www.pateron.com/teamvasculitis

YOU AREN'T ALONE!

What I want YOU to know is that it’s normal for our loved ones to struggle with this. I want you to know that you will be able to get through it. I want you to know that you can work on accepting that they are struggling too, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t love you. It doesn’t mean that they don’t see you. 

It can be easy to become so lost in our emotional crash that it is hard to find room to allow our loved ones to go through their grief process too. As hard as it can be, you need to let them process too. Talk about it. See a therapist. Whatever it takes. You and your loved ones will be better off for it.

Follow me at:
https://www.instagram.com/TeamVasculitis

Join the Patreon at:
https://www.patreon.com/TeamVasculitis

Shop to spread Awareness at:
https://teamvasculitis.myshopify.com

All health in the body are affected by the gut.

Immunity, and therefore auto immunity, can greatly be pushed for the positive or the negative based on what is going on there.

Today amazing functional dietician Jillian Smith shares insight as well as a few tips on how to help support your body and live a healthy and balanced life!

Follow Jillian:
https://www.instagram.com/jilliansmith.rd/
https://www.instagram.com/gut.personal/

https://www.instagram.com/the.gut.fix/

Join us at Team Vasculitis:
https://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

You didn't choose to have your illness. No one really knows why it happens. Science doesn't know, so don't let anyone tell you they know.

What you CAN choose, is how to live with it.

Today I talk about these choices and give you a little personal experience.

Feel less alone and join us at:
http://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

WE ARE RESILIENT. WE ARE CAPABLE. WE ARE SMART. WE ARE VALUABLE.

Our bodies functioning differently than others doesn’t change that. It doesn’t matter if you were born with a chronic condition or if you had onset at any point in your life. You are valuable and ANY contributions you make are valuable. Your life is valuable. We don’t always realize how we impact others.

Follow me at:
http://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

Today I chat with one of my FAVORITE dieticians. Bridgette is not only a dietician, but is also a functional medicine practitioner. She talks about the difference between a nutritionist and a dietician as well as the importance of testing before taking supplements and her own amazing company Gut Personal.

- Stay Tuned for Part Two Where I talk to Bridgitte's business partner Jillian about nutrition! - 

Links for where to find her!
https://www.instagram.com/wellbybridgitte
https://www.instagram.com/the.gut.fix/
https://www.instagram.com/gut.personal

Follow me at:
https://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

The American College of Rheumatology put together an official set of recommended guidelines for the care and treatments of a few forms of Vasculitis. 

Today I introduce you to Cat! She shares her journey from challenges as a child, to finally receiving a diagnosis as an adult. After getting a handle on things, she went through major emotional trauma which sent the disease into overdrive. She has a partially paralyzed stomach, suffers from seizures which limit her freedom, and so much more… and yet, she still chooses to continue Rising from the Illness.

Find Cat at:
https://www.instagram.com/risingfromtheillness

(Check out her podcast too!)

Follow me and find community at:
https://www.instagram.com/TeamVasculitis 

The American College of Rheumatology, in conjunction with the Vasculitis Foundation and Dr. Sharon Chung from the University of California San Francisco Medical Center’s Vasculitis clinic - as well as other doctors worked to put together an official set of recommended guidelines for the care and treatments of a few forms of Vasculitis. 

Today I dig into the Remission Therapy recommendations for Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis and Microscopic Polyangiitis. I give you it in a patient's point of view and less medical jargon. One patient to another. 

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/teamvasculitis/

Today I introduce you to Mandy!

She was diagnosed at age 18 and found herself navigating onset of this disease and treatment during her freshman year of college. Now happily married, disease managed - as much as it can be, Mandy shares her sinus involvement and how even "managed" it's still a struggle.

Follow Mandy here:
http://www.instagram.com/amandalura_

Follow Me at:
http://www.instagram.com/TeamVasculitis

The American College of Rheumatology, in conjunction with the Vasculitis Foundation and Dr. Sharon Chung from the University of California San Francisco Medical Center’s Vasculitis clinic - as well as other doctors worked to put together an official set of recommended guidelines for the care and treatments of a few forms of Vasculitis. 

Today I dig into the Induction Therapy recommendations for Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis and Microscopic Polyangiitis. I give you it in a patient's point of view and less medical jargon. One patient to another. 

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/teamvasculitis

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/teamvasculitis/

Meet Ellie!

Diagnosed with GPA at 17 after many misdiagnoses she was put on high levels of cytoxan as she navigated high school and college, only to need major surgery and face a 10+ year battle before achieving remission. Today she shares that journey. The medications, the stress, the testing, and where she is today.

You can follow Ellie at:
http:///www.instagram.com/ellietalk

You can follow me at:
http://www.instagram.com/TeamVasculitis

Every times you wait on tests or walk into a doctor's appointment the results of those things can be life altering. Do you need to add a medication? Will something else be wrong? medication? There are so many uncertainties and it is incredibly anxiety inducing.

It's not in your head and you're not alone.

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/TeamVasculitis

Facebook Community:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/teamvasculitis/

Meet Bri, a GPA warrior, mom, and all around amazing human.

Today Bri shares her journey from the moment she knew something was really wrong, to diagnosis, and her journey since then. She opens up and shares her concerns and anxiety that so many Moms with chronic illness have.

Follow Bri at:
http://www.instagram.com/b_doyle

Follow me at:
http://www.instagram.com/TeamVasculitis

I felt so alone when I was diagnosed, and for a long time after. No one understood. The people in my life who love me did their best, but I needed someone who was walking through the fire. I needed someone who understood. I needed someone I didn’t have to answer so many of the basic questions for. I have found that… and I have found so many who still have been alone. Here, I want to offer a place where if you search a hashtag for any form of Vasculitis, and a few basic chronic illness ones, you find a feed full of things relevant to you and others who are going through what you are. 

Follow me and connect with others at:
http://www.instagram.com/TeamVasculitis

I started this podcast thinking I’ll let other Moms know that they aren’t alone and share some stories of fellow Wegener’s warriors, because rare diseases make it difficult to find people to connect with.  It took a few months, but I quickly found out that being a Mom life podcaster and sharing about my kids wasn’t a good fit for me.

I don’t know where this will lead… and if you were here for the mom life stuff, and this whole Vasculitis, Rare Diseases, Chronic Illness life isn’t your thing. I get it. I’m sorry if I’m letting you down at all, and I deeply thank you for your support this past year. This is something I have to do. 

Today is a really hard day. The last few months have been really hard. Tomorrow is going to be really hard too. Right now all I can see are hard days ahead because I am not improving and if I go on prednisone my undiagnosed thing will become almost impossible to diagnose, so I have to do my best without it for now. Maybe I’ll get to test out that new FDA approved medication for my rare disease. Who knows… What I do know is that you are not alone and me knowing that I have you helps me get through it all. So, thank you for that.

Follow me at: http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

Today I introduce you to Alexis. Healthy foodie and health coach who has a vision to give every family the tools to get their kids excited about healthy foods! Offering allergy friendly recipes and kid activities to get them excited to try new foods and eat more of their fruits and veggies, her e-kit will transform your child's relationship with food.

Follow Alexis at: http://www.instagram.com/my.little.seedlings

Follow me at: http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

I have something I want you to know… You aren’t going to want to believe it. Something in your head and maybe even your heart will reject this. You will disregard it. You will dismiss it. You will say, maybe YOU are those things, but not me. Maybe YOU can claim that, but not me. Maybe it’s true for you… but me, I’m just getting through my day and I do it badly.

Tune in to hear this important message!

Follow me at: http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

Dealing with a chronic illness is incredibly difficult on your body. The stress, the unknowns, the changes, the fear, the pain… it all takes a toll on your nervous system. Which then takes an EXTRA toll on your overall well-being and often results in a dysregulated nervous system. The reason this is a problem is that this extra stress can worsen your symptoms, it can lessen the effectiveness of your medication, it can cause new health challenges and more.

If you have a dysregulated nervous system, you are less prepared to manage any new things which is a big problem with chronic illness because you are always dealing with new and challenging aspects to your life.

This episode goes into 5 Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System in the Moment as well as advice on digging deeper to work through your fight or flight response and truly be in balance.

My mission is for no one to feel alone. To help support our community through community. I never want anyone to feel as lost and alone as I did when I was first diagnosed, and for a long time after.

I am sharing my experiences, both actively bad and completely ignored, with the Vasculitis Foundation because if I have experienced it and it made me feel more alone, you may have as well. Their outdated way of operating and interacting with their community creates more isolation than support and straight talk - that’s NOT acceptable.

Follow me at: http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

We’re all supporting one another and we’re all thriving more because of it. We are stronger in our community. We are happier and healthier both physically and mentally. We share tips and tricks and new information. We have solutions that - straight up - DOCTORS DO NOT HAVE. What they focus on is keeping you alive. Many times, the ways we make that happen is outside of the medication you take, and really the medical community just misses that part.

All of this is why having a community is VITAL when you are chronically ill. If you are struggling and feeling alone.

Follow me at:
Http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

From medical breakthroughs, to new medications being developed and approved, to nutritional understanding and so much more, we have so many reasons to have hope!

Hope. Have hope. Have hope of continued improvement in care. Have hope for advancement in medication options. Have hope new treatments and procedures. Just… Please, have hope and keep fighting.

You are not alone. We’re in this together.

Follow me on Instagram here:
http:///www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

Vasculitis Patient Powered Research Network:
https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/research/vpprn/vpprn-who-we-are/

There is a black and white perspective that many of us feel every day. It makes walking through the world and interacting with people who aren’t in our alternate reality really scary, we never know when they’re going to make it that much more difficult for us to get through that moment, that day, our lives. It’s lonely all the time to watch others out living their lives while we want to be with them but can’t. It’s hard to hear about the adventures loved ones are having without you. It’s heartbreaking to send your babies off with their other parent, or other friends and loved ones, and know you are missing out on precious moments of them growing up.

I get it! Today, let's talk about it!

Connect with me on Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

Meet the amazing warrior that is Gerry Ugalde!

With a 5 month old at home she ended up in the hospital to only be told she has this strange rare disease - PLUS another huge surprise.

Since then she has endured treatments, surgeries, career changes and so much more. It was truly an honor to sit down and talk to her and I know her story will impact you, as it has me.

If you’re interested in an even deeper dive into Gerry's story - check out the book she wrote! Dancing with Disease is available on Kindle and in print from Amazon!

Follow me and meet other Vasculitis Warriors at:
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

Because our illnesses are invisible, they are often overlooked by those around us, and we’re used to that. What we sometimes forget is that the illness being invisible gives US PERSONALLY some much needed mental and emotional separation from the pain we’re going through. They are tiny moments, but they really help us survive.

So when something happens that makes the invisible illness VISIBLE suddenly, that’s a whole new challenge to deal with. Not only is it a loss of peace, it is a new trauma to deal with… and really, didn’t you already have ENOUGH traumas you were dealing with?

Connect with me at:
Http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

It's been NINE YEARS since I was diagnosed. In that time I have relied on my friends, family, doctors, and even strangers at times. I couldn't have functioned without them. I would not be where I am today, or who I am today, without them.

Today my Mom, Husband, Sister, and life long friend answer two questions:
1. What do you tell someone when they ask about my health?
2. How would you say this has changed me for the better?

Follow me on Instagram at:
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

PSA: You don't have to punish yourself for that extra slice of pie or skipping a workout. If you're consistent in your goals, these things won't stop you.

Find the Video Here:
http://www.instagram.com/marketlikeamama

Today I want you to hear my heart when I say, there are very beautiful things that can come out of this difficult journey. No one would ask to be set on the path of chronic illness, but once you're there - when you're ready - there is beauty to be found.

We see  things differently because our lives our different, and we bring joy, acceptance, grace, support and kindness to the world around us in ways we could never had before.

Follow me on Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

If you're new to this whole Chronic thing, there is something you need the low down on: nutrition.

Now, I am absolutely certain that everyone and their second cousin has told you - Oh, my so and so had something like that and they did (fill in the blank) and got better!

Those fill in the blank things are usually gluten free, dairy free, sugar free… maybe an essential oil combination, or of course yoga! 

I am not telling you at all that these things can’t help. Of course they can. They help pretty much anyone who utilizes them at different levels... but when you have a chronic illness, everything is different. Here's what you need to know!

Follow me on Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

Have you ever made a list of the healthy habits you have built to support your body and to thrive?

I recently did this and found myself so proud of how far I have come.

Today I talk to you about my process and go into 20+ habits I have built to change my life.

I want you to try and remember two things:

1. You don't know where people are at mentally and emotionally. Accept them for where they are now.

2. It's not about you. However they respond or don't respond. Love them where they're at.

You can watch the video at:
http://www.instagram.com/marketlikeamama

It’s everywhere, right? People posting a daily gratitude, commercials about giving thanks and being blessed… heck that trend has even taken to clothing now a days and every store we walk into has graphic tees telling us to be thankful, grateful and blessed.

Life is hard for everyone. Even those without chronic illness making everything feel like a fuzzy, out of focus, and over exposed video from the 80s.

You’ll get through this. If you don’t have someone to message to help you get through it, well friend… you’ve got me.

Follow me at:
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

Create a way to connect with the people in your life both personally and professionally that does NOT include social media. Dave Chappelle was 100% right when he said (in The Closer) Twitter is not a real place.

Meet Dena Williams!

This amazing woman has been through it all. 3 different treatment plans, hospital stays, more than 20 doctors and health professionals... and of course all the blood, sweat, and tears.

Today she shares her journey, and get's really open and raw. You can follow Dena at:
https://www.instagram.com/denawilliamsss/

**WARNING** I drop an f bomb and call someone a c bomb at the end. I give warning before I say it. It was necessary. You'll understand.

The problem is society in general believes this. That I am overweight so I must eat really unhealthy food. That when I come asking for help I must be pill seeking. That if I just got my lard ass off the couch, or took the stairs, I wouldn’t need medical help.

The truth is we don’t know what causes onset of these diseases and I am proof that it isn’t about lifestyle.

Link to Reel Mentioned:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CU5yI57BVfC/

In our busy lives it is so easy to lose track of things that light us up and bring us joy.

Today I talk about something my good friend Jeni the host of Positively Jeni - Coming Dec 1st - said about finding passion.
It doesn't have to be an every day thing. What is has to be is FOR YOU. Even if it's word vomiting to a friend about it. As you talk, you feel that passion - right?

We NEED a few minutes of that in our lives. All of us. Especially moms who are giving so much of themselves to begin with.

As Always you can find video of this at:
http://www.instagram.com/marketlikeamama

Oh my friend, what a world we travel through. Where once you are outside of the bell curve you have to fight so much harder. It is what it is, and in some ways will always be, but know this - you are NOT alone. There is NO shame in any assistance you need. Needing accommodations does not diminish you or your worth in ANY way… and there are resources to help you. Search for them. Ask others with similar journeys what they have done or used that has helped them.

The most wonderful... and most crazy time of the year is here!

I give my three survival tips and a reminder that your kids being crazy is NOT a reflection of parenting!

It felt so cruel, I finally met my person and now I was seriously considering breaking up with him. How could I ask him to stay and not be able to have a partner who builds things with him, who travels with him, who can raise children with him? If he stayed with me, I would take away everything he dreamed of. If he found someone else, he could have that… and if I loved him, shouldn’t I give him the ability to fly?

You aren't alone - tune in and hear something that will help your mindset SO MUCH!

Follow Fight Like a Mama on Instagram for more Daily Chronic Illness and Mom Life tips, information, and support!
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

In a world of carefully curated content it is even MORE important and MORE powerful to show up as you. In the big and little wins and in the big and little failures. To show up with messy hair and no make up. To show up dressed your best and living it up.

Yes, you'll lose some people if you do this. More importantly though, the right people will find you.

Watch the live video in my hot mess-ness today:
http://www.instagram.com/marketlikeamama

Meet the awesome Holly!

Diagnosed with Wegener's at 14 after a nearly 3 year battle she has faced kidney failure, continues to have sinus complications, and has navigated her way through the medical system and natural health to figure out what works best for her - all before turning 25!

You can find Holly at:
http://www.instagram.com/healthyhealthyholly

Where do we stand in a very capable world? Where around us everyone is doing more with their time than you are. We have the same amount of hours in the day, but it can be really difficult to remember that we don’t have the same amount of ability. That can come from lack of energy, strength or some form of physical disability. We aren’t on the same level of playfield as everyone else.

You are worthy! Tune in to hear more!

Follow me on Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/fightlikeamama

We all have so much going on in our heads and in our lives. The people around us don't have any way of knowing what is going to be our tipping point. They don't know you're three year old won't stop yelling at everyone. They don't know you have a difficult relationship with a family member. One client has no idea what is going on with another client.

Today I talk about a quick way to deal with stress in the moment.

You can watch the video at:
http://www.instagram.com/marketlikeamama