In a Perfect World – A Life Without Illness: What Would You Do? – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

Today there was a “trending topic” on Twitter that simply said, “Serious Question” and provoked users to ask their followers a serious question to answer. I thought about what I’d like to hear from my “tweeps” – especially those who are chronically ill or disabled – and the question I decided to pose was, “We … Continue reading →

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Autoimmune Overlap Syndrome – Yes, There IS Such a Thing! – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 12 Comments

I recently was told that I have “autoimmune overlap syndrome.” This is exactly what it sounds like. Whereas most people have 1 or 2 autoimmune conditions, I, like many other “spoonies” out there, have been dealt a whole slew of them. Basically, what this is, is when you have one “primary” condition and a few … Continue reading →

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Drug-Induced Lupus – What Is It, and Who Can Get It? – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

Recently, I was told that I likely have a form of lupus called “drug induced lupus” or DIL for short. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I would have had no idea that this existed – but it unfortunately does. I knew about discoid lupus, which mostly affects the skin, and … Continue reading →

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Fibromyalgia Awareness – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Fibromyalgia is a pain. Literally. Today is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and this is definitely a condition that needs more awareness surrounding it. Although it isn’t technically a form of arthritis, it is a related condition and shares many overlapping symptoms with various forms of arthritis and rheumatic disease. Fibromyalgia – a chronic pain condition also … Continue reading →

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The Very Merry Month of May: Arthritis & Lupus Awareness – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

May is both Arthritis Awareness and Lupus Awareness Month in the United States. Let’s take advantage of this fact in order to spread the word and to educate others about these conditions. Stumped on how to spread awareness? Increasing education and visibility are key. By improving upon these areas, we can further spread awareness, which … Continue reading →

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Just Say YES … Live Your Life Despite Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 6 Comments

I recently bought a book entitled, “A Place of Yes” and, though I’ve yet to start reading it, I realized last week before even purchasing it that I am in a place of “yes” myself. I’ve learned to “just say yes” despite arthritis and other chronic ailments. After all, we only live once….so why not … Continue reading →

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Are You Prepared for an Emergency? – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Reflecting on the recent disaster in Japan – and past natural disasters around the world – I wonder how many of us are actually prepared for an emergency. Those of us with medical needs may have to take some extra precautions and may also have more to take into consideration. How ready are YOU for … Continue reading →

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Freedom: Making Choices and Living Judgment-Free with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 11 Comments

Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in FREEDOM. In choice. In equal rights. In humanity “getting along.” In the destruction of prejudices and discrimination, and the erasure of hate. Yet, even in 2011, pockets of the population face discrimination, have their “choices” (or lack thereof) dictated to them, and face judgment, regardless of the leaps and … Continue reading →

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Keeping Perspective With Arthritis & Illness – My Opinions – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 6 Comments

“You can complain that roses have thorns, or rejoice that thorns have roses.” It’s all about your perspective. In the past 2 weeks, myself, family, fiance, and people close to us have unfortunately been dealing with a lot of deaths. The veil of sadness barely has lifted before news of another set in. Most were … Continue reading →

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2010 – Our “Blog Year” in review!

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

We thought you may want to check out some of our most popular and most widely-viewed blog posts from 2010! Stay tuned for more informative, helpful, and inspiring “Wellness with a Side of Life, Please!” blog posts in 2011! The lovely stats helper folks at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and … Continue reading →