Daily Clicks

No matter how crappy I am feeling or how exhausted I am, I always take a few minutes and do my daily clicks.  I'm torn between believing that these daily clicks make a difference and that its just some kind of guilt-triggered-spam that tricks us all into looking at advertising.  Either way, I always feel a smidgen better after going through my clicks.  And on no-spoon-days, I'll take that smidgen of improvement happily.
 

If you are curious about The Greater Good, click here to learn who they are and what they do.

 
It used to take me a little longer because I had to jump from bookmark to bookmark to bookmark - but now the actual layout of the page makes it so much easier! 
 
Are you interested in clicking some free help their way?  I have laid out some simple step by step instructions :)

1.  Go to THIS PAGE

 
2.  Look for this logo on the upper left hand side.
 
3.  Look to the right, one icon at a time, and it shows all the other pages you can go to make a difference just by clicking!  Its totally free.

4.  Under the row of icons, you will see a bar that says something like "click here to offer..." whatever page you are on.  Click that bar.  That's it!  You just helped someone else :)
 
 
This is an example of what the page will look like when you click on the different sites you can help.  This picture may be fuzzy, so please feel free to click on it to make it bigger so it will be clear. :)  Oh and my paint program skills aren't that great lol but hopefully it will help you get the idea that I am talking about.

I know this sounds cheesy but doing these daily clicks - even on days I don't feel good, especially on days I feel really bad, help me feel a little less sorry for myself... because I am taking a moment to do something for others.  That helps me give myself permission to rest as much as I need to, because I have done what I can do for others. 

 

Be vewy vewy quiet...

Be vewy vewy quiet, 

I'm hunting a new doctow!!

Well I am over feeling betrayed and now I'm just kind of pouting a bit about having to find a new doctor.  Since it has been a while since I made my own selection, only thinking about my own health, I have been researching things to keep in mind when making the choice.  Leave it to MedicineNet to have the best article!  

The article was written and edited by Medical Doctors, which explains why they thought of things I hadn't even considered.  My current doctor did make a recommendation for the new physician joining the group, but I haven't made up my mind yet.  I would like to remain within the Erlanger Health System, because so many of my Specialists are within the system.  

• Which hospital(s) does the doctor use? Are you comfortable with the possibility of being treated at one of these institutions should the need arise?

• Where are routine x-rays and laboratory studies performed? Can these be done in-office, or will you have to go to an outside laboratory?

• How long must you wait for an appointment after you call? Can you be seen on the same day if you have an urgent need?

• Who covers for the physician when he/she is away? Whom should you call if you have a problem after-hours? If the doctor works in a group, are you comfortable with being seen by one of the practice partners? 

• Does the physician frequently refer patients to specialists or does he/she prefer to manage the majority of your care themselves?

The article brought up some good points, but I haven't made up my mind yet what I'm going to do.  

You can check out the article in its entirety, here.  

National Lupus Day 2012

I get asked all the time, "What is Lupus?"  So in honor of World Lupus Day, I went straight to the source!


What is Lupus?


Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”) and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.


Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.


Find out ways to raise awareness, by checking out the Lupus Foundation of America.

Check out the amazing flier for National Lupus Day!


Click here for more questions about Lupus. 

Know Your Status!

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, in 2010 more than 960 people were living with HIV in the Hamilton County area. And there are more than a million people across the country battling the virus today.

"It's like knowing if you're pregnant or not. It's just something you need to know," says Mark Treadway.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, in 2010 more than 49 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the Hamilton County area. The same year, 10 people died as a result.

"The problem with HIV is identifying people with HIV, linking them into care and retaining them in care," says Dr. Jay Sizemore.

"That's why I volunteer at these things... it's not for me, it's for the people coming after me, and there are a lot of people out there. And 20% of the people out there don't even know they have it," says Mark Treadway.

- Taken from News Channel 9's article about the Awareness event.

This article was so well written that I brought it directly to my blog.  While I normally discuss my current diagnosis, I feel that we can never do enough to promote Awareness, Testing, Education, and Prevention for HIV.   I am also friends with Mark Treadway and have been a patient of Dr Jay Sizemore's, both quoted in the article.   

Click HERE to find an HIV/STD testing clinic near you.