Healthline.com: $6 Million Research Partnership to Focus on New Drugs for RA, Lupus

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

An exciting initiative is underway and it may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. This alliance includes a $6 million partnership that will focus on the research and testing of new drugs for RA and Lupus. To learn more about the AMP RA/Lupus, read my recent Healthline.com article, here: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/six-million-to-focus-on-new-drugs-for-ra-lupus-102114 Feel free to share … Continue reading →

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Someday is Now: How to Live Your Life Through Health Struggles

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

I am human. Though I strive to live a positive, beautiful life even with chronic illness, at times I grow weary of always being sick, discouraged by the pain, drained from the fatigue, and down in the dumps because of my general health situation, from an overall standpoint. I get frustrated waiting for my “someday.” … Continue reading →

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Orange Is The New Black and Chronic Pain: Don’t Be a Prisoner of Your Illness! – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Recently, I began watching the Netflix series, Orange is the New Black, also known as #OITNB. (Yes, I know that I’m late to that party.) I began to relate with some of Piper Chapman’s feelings as she is in jail, though I was unclear why, since I’ve personally not spent any time in a women’s prison. I … Continue reading →

Advocacy / Arthritis / Ashley's Health Diary / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized

Chemotherapy and Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 13 Comments

I will admit that I have always been hesitant to describe my rheumatoid arthritis medications as chemo, or “cancer drugs.” Part of this is my aversion to pity; the other part was that, at times, people use the term “chemo” incorrectly when describing their arthritis treatments. Lastly, I’ve always felt that it was a bit … Continue reading →

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Managing Time with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Sometimes, it’s hard to find time for things you want and need to do, while living with chronic illness. I get it. It’s difficult, and it’s even harder to explain to others. It’s been described in terms of spoons, and in many other ways, ranging from the creative to the absurd. That said, time management … Continue reading →

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Inspiration or Isolation: Which Path Will You Choose? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

In the world of chronic illness, there are many things about which we simply do not have a choice. I didn’t choose rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis, or celiac disease, lupus, sjogrens syndrome, chiari, and so on. Likewise, I’m sure that you did not choose whichever illnesses or disabilities that you may live with. As I’ve … Continue reading →

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Types of Arthritis

May You Be Aware This Month: Advocating for Arthritis, Lupus, and More – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, and there are many ways that YOU can take action to spread arthritis awareness. Utilizing social media to spread the word is a great idea. So is signing petitions and supporting advocacy efforts like this Action Alert. You could also sign up for an Arthritis Walk in your area, or … Continue reading →

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Walking on Eggshells When Someone You Love Has Chronic Illness or Disability – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

Sometimes, when someone lives with chronic illness, chronic pain, or a disability such as arthritis, lupus, or other rheumatic illnesses, the “normal” or “healthy” people around them feel the need to “walk on eggshells.” What better time than now, as Easter is upon us, to discuss this very topic? I, for one, have always wanted … Continue reading →

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Are You “Enough?” – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 6 Comments

I’m not liberal enough for Democrats or conservative enough for Republicans. I’m not Christian enough for Christians, but I’m Christian enough to have atheists and agnostics mock me. I’m smart enough to have been accepted into Mensa and to possess a near-genius-level IQ, but I’m not smart enough that people meet me and immediately notice my … Continue reading →

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Loving Yourself Even with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

When you love someone — a partner, a spouse, a friend, a parent, a child, a sibling, and so on — do you love them even through their imperfections? Are we not taught to accept others, flaws and all? Most of us, of course, care for our loved ones unconditionally. We look past … Continue reading →