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Lifestyle

Text reads: Gift ideas, personalized gift ideas (end text). That’s right - it’s gift guide season! As always, we’re starting off with personalized gift ideas. I always start with this one because personalized gifts can take longer to arrive because they have to be personalized.
Text reads: Gift ideas, personalized gift ideas (end text). That’s right - it’s gift guide season! As always, we’re starting off with personalized gift ideas. I always start with this one because personalized gifts can take longer to arrive because they have to be personalized.
in Lifestyle &middot November 11, 2022

Personalized Gift Ideas

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Personalized Gift Ideas

Text reads: 2022 recent reads, July through September
Text reads: 2022 recent reads, July through September
in Lifestyle &middot November 1, 2022

2022 Recent Reads: July-September

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2022 Recent Reads: July-September

Text reads: Buy my ebook for chronic health bloggers, worth $140, but buy for $10! There is also an image of the ebook cover. The ebook is named "Take Your Blog (And Income!) To The Next Level: Resources for Chronic Health Bloggers".
Text reads: 10 ideas for self-care you need this holiday season, plus a free holiday self-care plan (end text). The holiday season is coming right up. It’s a fun time of year, but it can also be a tricky one, which is especially true if you have a chronic illness. That’s why I’ve pulled together 10 ideas for self-care that chronic illness patients need this holiday season, as well as a free downloadable holiday self-care plan workbook.
Text reads: 10 ideas for self-care you need this holiday season, plus a free holiday self-care plan (end text). The holiday season is coming right up. It’s a fun time of year, but it can also be a tricky one, which is especially true if you have a chronic illness. That’s why I’ve pulled together 10 ideas for self-care that chronic illness patients need this holiday season, as well as a free downloadable holiday self-care plan workbook.
in Health, Lifestyle &middot September 27, 2022

10 Ideas for Self Care You Need This Holiday Season

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10 Ideas for Self Care You Need This Holiday Season

Text reads: 84 of the best gluten-free holiday recipes (end text). If you have foods you can't eat, holiday meals take a bit more planning. I've been gluten-free for 11 years, so in this post I've compiled 84 of the best gluten-free holiday recipes. Specifically, this post contains gluten-free recipes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, so you have tons of options for planning delicious meals.
Text reads: 84 of the best gluten-free holiday recipes (end text). If you have foods you can't eat, holiday meals take a bit more planning. I've been gluten-free for 11 years, so in this post I've compiled 84 of the best gluten-free holiday recipes. Specifically, this post contains gluten-free recipes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, so you have tons of options for planning delicious meals.
in Lifestyle &middot September 20, 2022

84 of the Best Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes

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84 of the Best Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes

Text reads: 2022 recent reads, April to June (end text). Thanks to the second quarter of the year, I am way ahead of my reading goals for the year! I read so much in this 3-month period.
Text reads: 2022 recent reads, April to June (end text). Thanks to the second quarter of the year, I am way ahead of my reading goals for the year! I read so much in this 3-month period.
in Lifestyle &middot July 12, 2022

2022 Recent Reads: April-June

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2022 Recent Reads: April-June

Text reads: 20 plus of the best history novels (end text). There are some incredible books in this post, and I’ve left out any books that I don’t think belong in a list of the best history novels. Happy reading!
Text reads: 20 plus of the best history novels (end text). There are some incredible books in this post, and I’ve left out any books that I don’t think belong in a list of the best history novels. Happy reading!
in Lifestyle &middot June 28, 2022

20+ of the Best History Novels

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20+ of the Best History Novels

Text reads: Tips to make living indepdently living with a chronic illness easier (end text). I know how difficult independently living with a chronic illness can be. Whether you’re looking to be independent or you already are and want tips, this post will help.
Text reads: Tips to make living indepdently living with a chronic illness easier (end text). I know how difficult independently living with a chronic illness can be. Whether you’re looking to be independent or you already are and want tips, this post will help.
in Health, Lifestyle &middot May 31, 2022

Tips To Make Independently Living with a Chronic Illness Easier

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Tips To Make Independently Living with a Chronic Illness Easier

Text reads: 2022 Recent Reads, January-March (end text). In this blog post, blogger and bookworm Kate the (Almost) Great shares and reviews what she read in quarter 1 of 2022.
Text reads: 2022 Recent Reads, January-March (end text). In this blog post, blogger and bookworm Kate the (Almost) Great shares and reviews what she read in quarter 1 of 2022.
in Lifestyle &middot April 29, 2022

2022 Recent Reads: January-March

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2022 Recent Reads: January-March

Text reads: What to do when in Boston (end text). I’ve done a lot of things in the city and I have plenty of recommendations for people looking for what to do when in Boston. To that end, I’m going to share attractions to check out, restaurants to eat at, places to shop, and so much more. 
Text reads: What to do when in Boston (end text). I’ve done a lot of things in the city and I have plenty of recommendations for people looking for what to do when in Boston. To that end, I’m going to share attractions to check out, restaurants to eat at, places to shop, and so much more. 
in Lifestyle &middot April 12, 2022

What To Do When in Boston

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What To Do When in Boston

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Kate the (Almost) Great

Chronic health lifestyle blog

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July is: ⁣ - Disability Pride Month ⁣ - Juvenile A July is: ⁣
- Disability Pride Month ⁣
- Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month ⁣
- the anniversary of when I was diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis at age 19 after 9 years of symptoms ⁣
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As you can imagine, that makes me very aware of my disability via juvenile arthritis⁣
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⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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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⁣⁣.⁣
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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.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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#DisabilityPride #JuvenileArthritis #RheumatoidArthritis #AutoimmuneDisease
There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn't doubt There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn't doubt someone's chronic illness, but this is one of them. ⁣
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I'm always amazed by how people can have the exact same illness or set of illnesses and still have different experiences. Sure, there will be similarities, but which symptoms are the worst, what medications you respond to, and your quality of life can vary significantly. ⁣
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It doesn't mean that one person is necessarily worse off than another; they're just different.⁣
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⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
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⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: Kate takes a selfie. A white text box reads "Chronic Illness Looks Different in Each Person"⁣
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#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #Endometriosis #Fibromyalgia #POTS
This basically sums up my summer so far: Harley, a This basically sums up my summer so far: Harley, a sewing project, and my foot in a cast⁣
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⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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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⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: Harley the golden retriever has his head on Kate's lap. Also on her lap is an in-progress needlepoint project and Kate's leg (in a walking cast) is elevated.⁣
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#Osteoporosis #RheumatoidArthritis #GoldenRetrievers #Needlepoint #Needlework
Week 28 of 2026 Weekly A very busy week! 1️⃣ Foo Week 28 of 2026 Weekly

A very busy week!

1️⃣ Foot checkup! Walking boot is on occasionally from now until September 
2️⃣ Boston 
3️⃣ IVIG
4️⃣ Dentist 🦷 All good! 
5️⃣ Not a filter - this was the Boston area the second half of the week 
6️⃣ Physical time!

⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

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⁣⁣.

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IDs:
1️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office
2️⃣ Looking at TD Garden, the bear statue for the Bruins, and Zakim Bridge in the background 
3️⃣ Looking at tubes coming out from under Kate’s clothes. There’s a Kindle on her stomach
4️⃣ Kate takes a mirror selfie before leaving
5️⃣ Medford Square looking like there’s a yellow filter over it
6️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office

#ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #Bostonian #IVIG
Also, if this is how you’re finding out, I’m sorry Also, if this is how you’re finding out, I’m sorry. I’m fortunate enough to have a lot of people who care about me and this is the fastest way to tell everyone. 

Video: Kate talks to the camera while putting on makeup. There are captions. 

#RheumatoidArthritis #AutoimnuneDisease #ChronicIllness #Arthritis #ChronicPain
Week 27 of 2026 Weekly (Delayed because last Sund Week 27 of 2026 Weekly

(Delayed because last Sunday was baaaaad)

1️⃣ Due airport difficulties, we got a few more days with Emma. Harley was THRILLED!
2️⃣ Beautiful bird/squirrel visitors
3️⃣ A beautiful Maine summer day

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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 Harley the golden retriever putting his front legs up on Emma’s legs to demand hugs.
2️⃣ A bird feeder and hummingbird feeder on a deck. There is a hummingbird at one and squirrel at the other.
3️⃣ A barn, a pond, and the Maine woods

#207 #MaineLife #MaineTheWay #NewEnglandSummer #IGMaine
Reminder: you can be proud of your disability comm Reminder: you can be proud of your disability community while wishing your body cooperated more⁣
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⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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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⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
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 ID: Screenshot of a thread post. The background is dark teal, and it's written by katethealmostgreat. ⁣The text reads what's above the first black box.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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#DisabilityPride #ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness #Disabled #Disability
I don’t know the exact date of my RA diagnosis, bu I don’t know the exact date of my RA diagnosis, but this is from right around then in July 2010. ⁣
⁣
When I was diagnosed, I had been having symptoms for 9 years. ⁣
- 9 years of foot pain (partially from tarsal coalition)⁣
- Arthritic damage in said food⁣
- Carpal tunnel off and on for several years⁣
- And more⁣
⁣
I was finally diagnosed because I woke up one morning and was unable to open my jaw more than 8 mm. It turned out that I had horrible arthritic damage to my TMJs, which got me off the waiting list at MGH rheumatology. I left that appointment with an autoimmune arthritis diagnosis. ⁣
⁣
The fact that July is not only my diagnosis anniversary but also Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month has always seemed right. I may not have been diagnosed with JA, but given the amount of arthritis I had along with my many years of symptoms, it's generally accepted that I had it. ⁣
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This year marks 16 years since diagnosis and this fall marks 25 years since my symptoms started. It's pretty weird that so much time has already passed!⁣
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⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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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⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
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ID: Kate at 19 at Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. ⁣
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#RheumatoidArthritis #AutoimmuneDisease #Arthritis #JuvenileArthritis #JRA
Dos and don'ts for when someone in your life is di Dos and don'ts for when someone in your life is diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis! What are some that you would add?⁣
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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⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
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ID: "So someone you know was diagnosed with Autoimmune Arthritis". Under the Do column (indicated with a green checkmark) is:⁣
"As how they feel about it⁣
Offer specific ways to help⁣
Treat them normally⁣
Ask follow-up questions⁣
Wear a mask around them when sick."⁣
Under the don't don't column (indicated with an x in a red circle) is:⁣
"Say “At least it’s not xyz!”⁣
Say that and not follow through⁣
Assume nothing about their lives has changed⁣
Conflate autoimmune arthritis with osteoarthritis⁣
Pass your cold to an immunosuppressed person".⁣
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#AutoimmuneDisease #RheumatoidArthritis #PsoriaticArthritis #AnkylosingSpondylitis #JuvenileArthritis
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