Chronicling daily life as a disabled woman

Snowy study day. Enjoying watching the snow come down as I work myself back into the rhythm of studying. Happy studying!

After taking a little more than a year off in order to deal with my health, I have started slowly working my way back into studying again. I am taking my time and not rushing the process, but it feels so nice to finally be studying again after so much time off. Ideally, some time this year I will take USMLE Step 1 and then begin clinical rotations. For now though, I am just focusing on the day to day studying. Happy studying!

Stay safe and healthy! Happy studying to those adjusting to online learning!

I’ve been a bit MIA as of late because unfortunately my health has taken a turn for the worse. In the last few months my mobility has worsened dramatically and my pain has reached the point of impeding my daily functioning. As a medical student, this has severely impacted my ability to study and function effectively. After much thought, I have decided to take some time away from school to deal with my health and then hopefully return much stronger and healthier. It is my goal to have a surgery in the next month that will dramatically help my pain and functioning. Hoping to keep up with some studying on my good days. If nothing else, I will be back to school at some point in the next year and continuing my pursuit of becoming a doctor. Happy studying to all!

REPETITION. REPETITION. REPETITION. I know that especially when my pain is bad I can have the hardest time memorizing stuff. When I notice that happening, then I just make sure to take the time to put that info into a repeat schedule. Rather than spend an hour on one night trying to memorize something that I will forget the next day, I begin a schedule where I try and do a little bit each night where I will also go over what I did the day before. I do this though flashcards (either physical ones or computerized via Anki or Quizlet) or through white boarding out material (this is especially helpful for pathways). Unfortunately, I have had the same issues where doctors are not always receptive to this issue or say that it is hard to combat so they just don’t really try. It is a tough one, so trying to find the little things that make it easier can be a huge help. Before tests, if I notice it is getting bad I will use a combo of sticky notes and a blank paper to write important information that I don’t want to forget before the exam. I have noticed that if I get to a question on the exam and have forgot something that I wrote on those papers/notes, then I can remember where I wrote it and then take the minute to remember what it was. Hope this helps a little and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions!

I completely agree that stress that can have a direct impact on pain levels. For me, the amount of stress that can affect pain can vary day to day. During a bad flare, something very small can cause a massive increase. The biggest way that I have worked to combat this is through a really strict routine. I try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day (with the knowledge that pain may wake me up). I also try to start my day with light exercise and meditation even when my pain is really high. While obviously this isn't foolproof, over the 13 years that I have been dealing with both CRPS and fibromyalgia, I have noticed that my pain has been much worse without these routines in place. When I have the routines in place, I can usually have a more productive day (studying, work, etc.).Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

26 days until the final of basic sciences. I’ve had a bad term filled with health issues, so I am just trying to get through the best I can and hope that I can finish strong. I have worked so hard to get to this point, so I am just hoping that I have done enough to do well on these last couple exams. Almost there. Happy  studying!!

Please help spread awareness about this condition, so that we can work for a cure. Thank you :) 

Sorry I have been MIA as of late, I have been having a rough time with pain lately. I have two big exams at the end of this term worth 80% of my grade, so I am working really hard to get my pain under control in order to allow me to get through this term. All I have ever wanted to be is a doctor and to have the ability to help others in a way that I have been helped. I spent this weekend working on a new schedule to try and work with all of my symptoms and to finish all the material I need to get through before the end of the term. Lots of hard work ahead in the next few weeks! Happy studying!!!

Generous glass of wine after a long day ahead of a longer night of studying. Only a few more weeks until some big exams, so it is crunch time. Happy studying!!

Finishing up September with some cozy rainy day studying. Happy studying!

After a couple of very stressful weeks, I gave myself a break. This isn't always easy for me, but I find that it can be the most helpful thing to do in order to help with my productivity. Instead of studying all afternoon, I grabbed lunch and went to the beach. Now I am feeling refreshed and ready for a weekend of studying. Happy studying :) 

No bother at all! I have honestly been on so many different medications for this, but unfortunately it just takes time (and an understanding doctor!) to find the right combo. My pain is pretty well controlled with nerve blocks, Topamax, and nortriptyline. I also am prescribed an opioid for rescue pain relief. That being said it took a while to get here. I tried many different meds and dosages with varying pain relief or issues with side effects. I know that as a current student, I am careful about issues with cognition (a side effect that I have dealt with before). Whenever I get a flare up, I try to keep a pain journal because I find it can be helpful when I go to an appointment to discuss medications. Doctors operate with pain scales, so write that in your journal. I would have it where I could show my doctor that I started in the morning at a 6/10, but then had pain episodes that went up to 8/10 with associated nausea. With that information, my doctor was able to work with me to come up with a treatment plan that worked best for me. Hope this was helpful!!