Here we go!

Hey everyone!  My name is Kate and I am a mother of 2 beautiful children.  I also have lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, degenerative disk disease, and spinal stenosis.  Notice, I didn't say suffer.  Not that I don't "suffer"...I do.  We all suffer in our own way.  But I believe it's important to focus on everything and anything else to distract from the pain.  I have had a desire to have a blog about my life and every crazy aspect of it for a while-if not for any other reason than to be able to help those who need it most and gather new resources to help improve the quality of life of everyone afflicted with chronic illness.  It can be depressing and cause anxiety and panic at the worst of times.  For me it's especially difficult because I have an 8 year old and a 3 year old.  As if raising kids wasn't difficult enough, try doing it with a chronic illness.  It's tough.  Dealing with the guilt of not being able to be entirely present at times when it's required kills me.  Being too tired to cook dinner or finish the laundry or do carpool eats away at my sanity like a parasite.  But I have to remind myself that it could be worse and when I'm good, damn it I'm good.  So let's enjoy this journey together.  Cuddle up, grab a blanket, and let's get to know each other!  

Lots of love and light!

Kate