A Steel Magnolia is an Iron Butterfly
The writings of a true southern gal – the extraordinary life of an ordinary person
"We turn skeletons into goddesses and look to them as if they might teach us how not to need.” ~ Marya Hornbacher, Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia ~ The young girl in this grainy image from the past is me. It pains me to look at her/me because I know she is hiding… Continue reading We Turn Skeletons Into Goddesses
Today I'm reblogging this article from the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation. I thought of this often in January because January marks one of two very similar anniversaries for me. In Jan. 1982 I had my first surgery for non-smoking lung cancer in my right lung. My 31st cancer free anniversary in my right lung just… Continue reading Marking an Anniversary – Carcinoid Cancer
Could Caffeine Help Dry Eye?. A new article from WebMD suggests there could be some relief for dry eyes in the future from caffeine. This is a promising possibility for those of us that suffer from this chronic condition. As someone who as battled Sjorgren's syndrome for over 20 years now, dry eyes is a… Continue reading Could Caffeine Help Dry Eye?
Hair Problems in Fibromyalgia. Here's yet another interesting article from the About.com people and their Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome department. This particular article deals with our hair! Gals you know what I'm talking about...days and days and days of bad hair days. Actually, it goes a little further than that. This article goes on… Continue reading Hair Problems in Fibromyalgia, by Beverly Hicks Burch
Autoimmune Disease Overlap Syndromes | Suite101.com. This is a great article to read for all of you who are dealing with autoimmune disorders. I have known for years these diseases/disorders "cluster" or overlap. My body is a prime example of that. If I were to enumerate my laundry list of chronic and disabling health issues,… Continue reading Autoimmune Disease Overlap Syndromes | Suite101.com
How true...how true... Another great article concerning fibromyalgia and dealing with the Neanderthals around us who don't believe in fibromyalgia or know nothing about it. Educating Your Doctor (& Others) About Fibromyalgia.
My Tall & Handsome…the cool dude of Team GSI.. This was taken after the Race for the Cure in Savannah. I was Team GSI’s “survivor”…surviving 29 1/2 cancer free years of non-smoking lung cancer in my right lung and 16 1/2 cancer free years of non-smoking lung cancer in my left lung. Yes, people, it… Continue reading The Cool Dude from Team GSI, by Beverly Hicks Burch
Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the Brain - Digestion and Digestive-Related Information on MedicineNet.com. IBS is another one of those syndromes I've been plagued with for most of my life...even as a child and adolescent. Research and doctors tell me that IBS cluster with a lot of the other syndromes and disorders I have...like fibromyalgia. If… Continue reading Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the Brain – Digestion and Digestive-Related Information on MedicineNet.com
New criteria proposed for diagnosing fibromyalgia. Years...and I mean years ago I was first diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I think the year was 1990 when the "official" diagnosis was made, but I had been suffering with the symptoms since the early 1980s. My beloved family physician who has since passed away was very well… Continue reading New criteria proposed for diagnosing fibromyalgia
Primary Sjogren's Syndrome: Blood deficiencies are strong predictors of poor outcome. If you are a Sjogren's pateint then I highly recommend you read this article. As a SS patient myself, I knew I had an increased risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This article ties in what I've suspected all along...a connection to lung cancer. That would… Continue reading Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome: Blood deficiencies are strong predictors of poor outcome
A Steel Magnolia is an Iron Butterfly 