#PatientsHavePower: The Gift of Breakthrough Research and Clinical Trials

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

*Disclaimer: Before I begin, let’s get the requisite disclaimer out of the way: this piece has been entered in the Patients Have Power Writing Contest run by Clara Health. It is designed to raise awareness about clinical trials. That said, I’m nonetheless still passionate about this cause, and am personally interested in everything that this … Continue reading →

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Cupping, Gua Sha, and Acupuncture: Can They Help with Arthritis and Chronic Pain?

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Most of you know that I am a big fan of integrative medicine: a mix of natural or alternative methodologies and traditional pharmaceutical treatments. In fact, one of the first “real” published articles I wrote was in a local magazine (called South Fayette & Neighbors, now known as IN South Fayette,) in 2006, and it … Continue reading →

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#Longread: LEMONADE: Who Would I Be Without My Lemons?

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Arthritis Ashley • 10 Comments

“Oh, stars in her eyes, She fights and she sweats those sleepless nights, But she don’t mind, she loves the grind, She grinds from Monday to Friday, Works from Friday to Sunday…” – ‘6-Inch,’ Beyoncé, Lemonade. Beyonce and Lemonade The above quote is from a song off of Beyoncé’s album, Lemonade. You see, the Grammy Awards are tonight. Grammys … Continue reading →

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Thoughts & Updates from Arthritis Ashley

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

I haven’t updated this Arthritis Ashley blog in a while (I barely find time to post to my main website abshuck.com and haven’t posted to my entertainment blog Glitzburgh in about a year. Eek!) However, I do want to share some thoughts and updates with all of you, my loyal readers! I’m glad that many … Continue reading →

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Get My Book Sick Idiot: On Sale Now!

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

The time has come: Sick Idiot has arrived! You can now order my funny-yet-inspiring nonfiction health memoir, Sick Idiot, in paperback! Chapter titles include: “That Time I Cried On The Pitcher’s Mound and Saw My Grandma’s Doctor” “That Time I Was a Cheerleader … With Arthritis … On A Hit-List” “That Time I Had a … Continue reading →

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Chronicles of a Sick Girl: A Rant on Feeling Conflicted and Judged

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • 4 Comments

Here’s a little rant; maybe some of you can relate. Sometimes, I feel conflicted. I want people to know about the illnesses that I live with. I want to inform, inspire, advocate, and educate. I want to spread awareness. I want people to empathize or understand what I’m going through. I want people to “get … Continue reading →

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Rant Time: Don’t “Quantify” the Sick Girl

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

You know how it’s rude to say things like, “you throw okay … for a girl.” Or, “you run pretty fast … for being so big.” It’s also somewhat insulting to say things like, “wow! You’ve accomplished so much … despite being sick.” No, I haven’t accomplished a lot “for being a sick girl.” I’ve … Continue reading →

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Spanish Speakers – Check out ReumatoIDEAS from the Arthritis Foundation, Mid Atlantic Region – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Hola, buenos amigos! If you speak Spanish and have arthritis or know someone who does, ReumatoIDEAS is for you! Some of your favorite “Wellness with a Side of Life, Please” blog posts are translated into Spanish and shared on this new blog, so that we can reach even more readers who live with arthritis or … Continue reading →

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Self Esteem, Body Image, and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

Many of us who live with chronic illness – especially rheumatic and autoimmune illnesses, or conditions that cause chronic pain – can get frustrated at our body at times for seemingly working against us. However, there are other body issues that can come along with being chronically ill. Many medications cause appearance-related side effects: skin … Continue reading →

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The Juvenile Arthritis / Cancer Link – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Most of us are aware that there is a heightened risk for cancer if diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases, because many of them “act” similarly at the cellular level. Additionally, certain medications may put RA patients at higher risk — but these same medications can ironically be used to treat cancer. “RA … Continue reading →