• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kate the (Almost) Great

Chronic illness blog

  • Home
  • Start Here
    • About
    • As Seen On
    • Tags & Topics
    • Popular Posts
  • Blogging Resources
  • Freebie
  • Shop the Blog
    • Products for the Chronically Ill
  • Contact & Work with Me
    • Ads and Sponsoring
  • Follow
  • Holiday
    • Gift Guides

in Lifestyle, Uncategorized &middot June 15, 2015

12 Random Thoughts

Wow, hi! Sorry for that unexpected decision to barely post last week. Guess who sprained a shoulder and has no idea how? This chick. (Winning at life, obviously.)

12 Random Thoughts - Kate the (Almost) Great

Thought I’d mix things up a little bit today and post a bunch of my random thoughts. Happy Monday!

1. It feels like Boston went from winter to summer in the blink of an eye this year. It’s weird.

2. One of my best friends went up to Maine this weekend to visit a friend of ours from college and they went to my hometown. I miss it!

3. I’m more anemic than normal right now and had to have even more blood work done than usual to figure it out. I haven’t heard from my rheumatologist with his interpretation yet, but I have seen the tests and can vaguely interpret them myself. My body is producing enough red blood cells, but they’re low on iron. So who knows what’s going on with that because my body does not respond to any normal way of increasing iron production (including eating more food with iron, taking iron supplements, changing my diet, etc.).

4. I’m so obsessed with this cover of Love Me Like You Do. It’s breathtaking.

5. I can’t believe that I start school in just over 2 months! How crazy is that?

6. Speaking of crazy, when I think about where my life was a year ago, I get really freaked out. Things have really changed!

7. My infusion is officially out of my system and I’m over it. Just about a week and a half until my next one! (If you want to guest post for the week of June 29, email me!)

8. I kind of want to redo the blog design, but I don’t know what I would do instead. Also, I kind of want to do it myself, which could be really good or really bad.

9. I miss Nashville, but not the Nashville summer.

10. I’ve been reading the 2015 reader survey responses, and so far there’s a huge majority that wants me to start filming YouTube videos again! That’s amazing! I’m completely shocked by that. Now to just figure out what to film …

11. Father’s Day is less than a week away, and I’m really struggling to try and find something for my dad. Any suggestions?

12. This weekend was a great weekend to be a fan of royalty. The British Trooping the Color and the Swedish royal wedding that had many royal guests was wonderful. I’m very happy to live in a country where we elect the head of state, but I’m fascinated with royal history and always have been, so it makes sense that I like current royal families.

That’s all for today, folks! Have a great week!

Sign up for the monthly newsletter! Become one of the greatest people you will ever meet and get a recap of the best blog posts, extra writing tips, and free downloads. I will never give your email address to anyone or use it for any other purpose without your express permission.
var linkwithin_site_id = 1800999;
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.

Share this with your family and friends:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

Related

Previous Post: « How I Make Doctor’s Appointments Easier + Free Printable
Next Post: 6 Reasons Why Bloggers Should Do a Reader Survey »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kay R. says

    June 15, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    My family in Boston said the same thing about the weather! I always struggle with getting my dad a gift! Dude has everything sigh. PS. hope you are feeling better and all healed up 🙂

    Loading...
    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Kate the (Almost) Great® is a chronic illness lifestyle blog. It is a resource for chronic illness patients and their loved ones.

  • Bluesky
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

Categories

Health
Lifestyle
Writing & Blogging

Pages To Start With

  • About Kate the (Almost) Great®: Meet the Health Blogger
  • As Seen On
  • Contact & Work with Me
  • Follow
  • Health Blog Resources I Actually Use + Recommend
  • Newsletter
  • Popular Posts
  • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer Policy
  • Products for the Chronically Ill: My Recommendations
  • Shop
  • Start Here
  • Tags & Topics

Search

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This blog uses affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Kate the (Almost) Great!

Sign Up for the Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Most Popular Posts

  • What Every POTS Syndrome Patient Needs for the Summer
  • Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis: What I’ve Learned
  • Beginner’s Guide: Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Up
  • 9 Arthritis Products That Help My Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • The Products I Loved (And Wanted) in Grad School
  • What Is the Difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
  • What Does Arthritis Pain Actually Feel Like?
  • The Lifestyle Changes I Made for My Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • What Sjögren’s Syndrome Is: A Beginner’s Guide


Bluehost.com Web Hosting $3.95

Health Union Patient Leader Certification

Support KTAG

If you like what I do, please support me on Ko-fi.




Footer

Sign Up for FREE Instagram Challenge

Get 25 FREE Instagram prompts for chronic health creators!

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Get your FREE Instagram challenge here 

and 

For just $5 get your copy of my ebook Take Your Blog (And Income!) to the Next Level with code "greatest".

.

Kate the (Almost) Great

Chronic health lifestyle blog

Lets Go!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
There's beauty everywhere, not just in the Maine w There's beauty everywhere, not just in the Maine woods. (Shocking to me, I know.) ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
There's beauty in little things, medium things. There's beauty in ordinary things. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
In the first cup of coffee of the day with the sun shining into the kitchen. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
In a completed checklist.⁣
⁣
In a freshly cleaned house. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
In discovering a new-to-you genre of television that you LOVE. ⁣⁣
In quiet moments with people you care about. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
There's beauty everywhere. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
ID: A beautiful lake and a mossy bank. ⁣
⁣
#MaineLife #207 #MaineLiving #IGNewEngland #Vacationland
Weeks 15 of 2026 Weekly Just trying to get throug Weeks 15 of 2026 Weekly

Just trying to get through!

1️⃣ IVIG time
2️⃣ I got a hair cut last week and then I looked nice at one point!

⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

⬛

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣1️⃣ Looking at Kate’s lap. There’s a pump with tubes attached that go under Kate’s shirt.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie. She’s a white woman with auburn hair wearing a navy dress with flowers, a silver Celtic knot necklace, and green glasses. 

#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #SjogrensSyndrome #Fibromyalgia #IVIG
FAQ: What Is Subtalar Fusion Surgery? Background FAQ: What Is Subtalar Fusion Surgery? 

Background: I have tarsal coalition and rheumatoid arthritis and had subtalar fusion in my left foot in 2009 and in my right in 2018. While this was started because of the tarsal coalitions, it is a surgery that can help rheumatoid arthritis, too. 

Video: Kate talks to the camera. There are captions. A black text box at the binning reads “FAQ: What Is Subtalar Fusion Surgery?”. 

#TarsalCoalition #RheumatoidArthritis #SubtalarFusion #AutoimmuneDisease
There will be times when you do everything you can There will be times when you do everything you can to feel better and it won't work. That's not a failing on your part.⁣⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
ID: Screenshot of a Bluesky post. The background is dark teal, and it's written by Kate Mitchell | Kate the (Almost) Great with the username katethealmostgreat.bsky.social. ⁣The text reads what's above the first black box.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
#RheumatoidArthritis #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Endometriosis #Fibromyalgia #SjogrensSyndrome
Weeks 13 and 14 of 2026 Weekly Had some rough pai Weeks 13 and 14 of 2026 Weekly

Had some rough pain days in here so I didn’t do a lot and I combined the weeks in 1 post!

1️⃣ Hematology appointment 
2️⃣ PCP, after which an x-ray showed stress fractures in 3 bones 
3️⃣ Tea and cross-stitching

⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

1️⃣ Looking at Kate’s lap. There’s a medical bracelet on her wrist and a Kindle on her lap.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office. She’s a white woman with auburn hair wearing a black t-shirt, silver Celtic knot necklace, apricot mask, and green glasses.
3️⃣ Looking at a table on which is an orchid, an in-progress cross-stitch project, and a mug of tea.

#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #CrossStitcher #DisabledAndCute
Background: I have tarsal coalitions and rheumatoi Background: I have tarsal coalitions and rheumatoid arthritis in both of my feet, and I’ve had resection surgery and subtalar fusion surgeries. I am not a medical professional and am sharing my experience! 

Video: Kate talks to the camera. There are captions. Text reads at the beginning “FAQ: What Was the Recovery from Tarsal Coalition Surgeries Like?”. 

#TarsalCoalition #RheumatoidArthritis #ChronicPain
We've all made this mistake once (or twice or a hu We've all made this mistake once (or twice or a hundred times ...) ⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⬛⁣⁣⁣
⁣
ID: Kate smiles at the camera. A white text box reads "No two chronic illness patients are the same, but we've all given ourselves flares by overdoing it on a good day". ⁣
⁣
#InvisibleIllness #ChronicallyIll #ChronicPain #SpoonieLife #ChronicIllness
SELF-IMAGE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ It can be rea SELF-IMAGE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS⁣⁣⁣
⁣
It can be really easy to feel like chronic illness has taken over everything about you and that all you are is a patient. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
You might be different than you were before you developed symptoms, but that doesn't mean that everything about you is different, even if everything about your life is different. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
There is no one aspect of our lives that defines all that we are. That's true for LITERALLY EVERYONE! No one is just one thing. We're all many, many things. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
For example: yes, I'm a chronic illness patient, and yes, I talk about it a lot online. But I'm also someone who is passionate about education, who played 1-3 instruments for 12 years, who is obsessed with her home state, who reads a ridiculous amount of historical fiction, and who has been writing in some capacity for decades. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
Even if all you know about me is that I'm a chronic illness patient, that doesn't mean that all I am is a chronic illness patient. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
ID: Kate takes a selfie. She's a white woman with auburn hear with a blue sweater, green scarf, and pink glasses.⁣
⁣
#RheumatoidArthritis #Fibromyalgia #Sjogrens #Endometriosis #POTS
PREPARING FOR SUMMER WITH POTS⁣ ⁣ Summer is right PREPARING FOR SUMMER WITH POTS⁣
⁣
Summer is right around the corner. Here are somethings I'm doing now to make it easier. ⁣
⁣
1️⃣ Finding my many fans and making sure they're charged⁣
2️⃣ Increasing my sodium intake ⁣
3️⃣ Making sure I have plenty of @cure, my preferred electrolyte supplement⁣
4️⃣ Getting back into the habit of using Tachymon, the app I use on my watch as pictured here. I have it set to notify me not only when my heart rate gets high, but also when it has changed by a fair amount. Here, it shows my heart rate is 150 and the change from my recent average (104) is 45.6. With POTS, the problem isn't only an increase, but a quick increase. ⁣
⁣
What are you doing to prepare for summer with POTS? ⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣
⁣
ID: An Apple watch showing a heart rate of 150, recent average of 104, and change from that average of 45.6. A white text box reads "Preparing for Summer with POTS". ⁣
⁣
#ChronicallyIll #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Dysautonomia #POTS #SpoonieLife
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 · Kate the (Almost) Great · Design by Studio Mommy

%d