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in Lifestyle &middot August 31, 2018

Currently [Vol. 22]

Give. Me. Fall! I can’t wait for cooler temperatures, but for now, let’s talk about August and what I’ve currently been up to.

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Talking about what I've been up to, reading, watching, thankful for, and more.

Currently, I’m …

reading … What Happened and Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade – I think this is the first month this year where I’ve only read 2 books. I started reading What Happened (by Hillary Clinton) in the beginning of the month, and it’s so big that it’s taking a while for me to get through it. Also, I usually read during my lunch break, but I feel weird reading a political book at my office, so that has cut down on my reading time. I’m reading enjoying it, though! It covers her side of the 2016 election, but it has also been very enlightening. She talks about what a day on the campaign trail was like, as well as what it’s like being a female politician. I’ll never go into politics because I’m not patient enough, but I love learning about politics, so it’s super interesting.

On my commute and travels, I’ve bene listening to Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade. Lord John is a character in the Outlander books who got his own series. This is the 3rd book (I think), and it starts around the time that Geneva Dunsaney dies (this makes sense if you’re an Outlander fan). It’s so great, especially during the #Droughtlander. I get super motion sickness, even if I read while on the subway, so I’m listening to this on Audible.

Why you should read and watch Outlander

What Happened by Hillary Clinton, What Happened, reviewing What Happened Hillary Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, books to read, book recommendations

feeling … exhausted but happy with life – I’ve had 8 medical appointments this week. I had my infusion last week, so it hasn’t kicked in yet. I’m sleeping 8-12 hours a night because everything is exhausting. But I love my job, I’m somehow managing everything (go to therapy, kids), and eventually it won’t be so hot. It’s going to be okay eventually!

watching … The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Americans, Vikings, Avengers: Infinity War, Thor: Ragnarok, Madam Secretary, John Mulaney’s special Kid Gorgeous, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Okay, so I just had my infusion, which means that I was on the couch for 5 days. And I end my days with watching shows, so I’ve cruised through TV this month. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is SO good. I can’t wait for season 2! And I know that I’m behind the times, but damn is The Americans a great show. It’s done so well! I’ve also started watching Vikings and I’m in love with it. They sometimes have the English (Anglo-Saxons) speak Old English!!!!!!!!!! Love it. It also makes me want to break out my Old English workbook again before I forget it all. I also watched the most recent Avengers, most recent Thor, most recent season of Madam Secretary, John Mulaney’s special that came out in May, and (of course) To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Enjoyed all of it.

thankful for … my medical team, my support system, and a job I love – I’ve been feeling extra thankful recently. I met my new rheumatologist(s) – my last one moved almost an hour away – and I’m on board. I’ve just gotten through my most recent infusion, and I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to have it, as well as my surgery, and that I’ve gotten to the point that I am now. And I’m so, so thankful that I love my job. I’ve only been there 2.5 months, but I’m so happy with it, and that is such a blessing.

rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, autoimmune arthritis, arthritis treatment, rheumatoid arthritis treatment, ra, rheum, chronic illness, chronic pain

wearing … dresses and limited makeup – It has been too hot for my tastes! This means that I’ve been wearing lots of dresses to work. My favorites are simple: navy blue, black, and striped. I looove this one from J. Crew, which is on sale right now! It’s so comfortable and cute! I also really enjoy this navy one, which is so airy, and I get so many compliments on it. My other favorite this summer has been a white-and-navy striped dress from Loft, which isn’t being sold any more, but this one is super similar and by the same brand

everyday makeup, summer makeup, ColourPop, Maybelline, BareMinerals, Bare Minerals, Benefit Cosmetics, NARS

I’ve also been wearing limited makeup because I’ll just sweat it off. I stick to powder foundation, highlighter, waterproof mascara, brow gel, and, of course, setting spray.

My workwear

looking forward to … my most recent infusion kicking in, being fully out of my walking cast, and cooler temperatures – Can summer end yet? I’m so, so over it. The temps were in the 90s, but with the humidity felt like the 100s. This POTS patient who is also from Maine hates that weather. It has been hell. Please, please go away, 90s! And it’s especially miserable given that I’m still in my walking cast for a little bit. I had to stop increasing my time out of my cast when my last infusion ran out and therefore my pain increased. But I had my most recent one last week, so I hopefully can start increasing that time again and will hopefully feel loads better within 2 weeks.

On my most recent surgery

Like this post? Check out:

All currently posts, What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20, Most Popular Books Published in 2018 (So Far), My Skin Care Regimen, The Best Fair Skin Makeup

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.

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Me: I had this test on a Friday so I won’t hear un Me: I had this test on a Friday so I won’t hear until Monday at the earliest⁣
Also me: Well maybe this time will be different. I should check the portal every couple of hours just in case.⁣
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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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#RheumatoidArthritis #SjogrensSyndrome #HeartDisease #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicallyIll
This is the face of coronary artery disease⁣ ⁣ Yup This is the face of coronary artery disease⁣
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Yup, I have heart disease. ⁣
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I've mentioned this in bits and pieces over the last year, but in 2025, I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease.To be clear, I have basically the lowest amount of artery calcification possible to still have heart disease, but I still have it. ⁣
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Coronary artery disease is a complication of rheumatoid arthritis, as cholesterol can be increased by inflammation. As I hung around the border of coronary artery disease, I got COVID. ⁣
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COVID is also an inflammatory condition, which is why research shows that COVID can increase risk of heart disease. ⁣
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We're keeping an eye on it now, and increasing my cholesterol medication has helped keep my cholesterol down. Which is good because I already eat a pretty heart-healthy diet and exercise is tricky for me. ⁣
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If you have an inflammatory condition like RA or Crohn's, you should know that that inflammation can contribute towards cholesterol levels and therefore heart disease, especially if you've had COVID (and every time you get it increases your risks). ⁣
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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. She's a white woman with auburn hair wearing a white sweater, silver Claddagh necklace, and pink glasses.⁣
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#RheumatoidArthritis #CoronaryArteryDisease #HeartDisease #ChronicallyIll #AutoimmuneDisease
I have a rheumatology appointment soon! Here are t I have a rheumatology appointment soon! Here are the things I’m thinking about ahead of time. 

#RheumatoidArthritis #SjogrensSyndrome #Fibromyalgia #AutoimmuneDisease 

Video: Kate’s hand writes in a notebook. She voices over what she’s writing and there are captions.
New month, new calendar, new goals! One of which i New month, new calendar, new goals! One of which is to post more Reels 🤞🏻 

Video: an empty whiteboard calendar and the it is full. Music plays. 

#NewMonthNewGoals #ContentCreator #Blogger #HealthBlogger
💐 Week 8 of 2026 Weekly 💐 1️⃣ When you’ve got to 💐 Week 8 of 2026 Weekly 💐

1️⃣ When you’ve got to do IVIG but also empty the dishwasher (aka chronic illness in a nutsehll)
2️⃣ In progress 
3️⃣ New glasses!

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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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IDs:
1️⃣ Kate takes a mirror selfie. She has a small black bag over her shoulder connected to tubes that go under her shirt. She’s a white woman with auburn hair wearing pink glasses, a Geaghan’s Pub & Brewery sweatshirt, and sweatpants. 
2️⃣ An in-progress embroidery project of flowers. 
3️⃣ Kate takes a selfie. She’s wearing a blue and white striped rugby shirt with white writing that reads "University of Maine" and green glasses. 

#IVIG #ChronicallyIll #SjogrensSyndrome #Sjogrens #PunchNeedle
“Why don’t you take having 10+ chronic illnesses m “Why don’t you take having 10+ chronic illnesses more seriously”Because I have a ridiculous number of illnesses. Anything over 7 feels made up. Like, obviously it’s not, but I’m up to 10. That’s a ridiculous number.⁣
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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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#RheumatoidArthritis #SjogrensSyndrome #HeartDisease #AutoimmuneDisease
What do you do during infusions?⁣ ⁣ With Rituxan, What do you do during infusions?⁣
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With Rituxan, iron, and IVIG, I spend a lot of time in the infusion chair. That's a lot of time to kill!⁣
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Here is how I spend that time: ⁣
▪ Read on my Kindle⁣
▪ Play games on my phone⁣
▪ Listen to audiobooks⁣
▪ Work - hey, I need all my PTO possible with my health issues. Sometimes I need to work during my iron infusions!⁣
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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: In a hospital. Kate’s legs are under a white blanket and her hand (with an IV in the wrist) is next to her Kindle⁣
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#RheumatoidArthritis #ChronicAnemia #IVIG #AutoimmuneDisease #Autoimmune
View from this weekend as I worked on my next blog View from this weekend as I worked on my next blog post! I’ve posted 3 so far in 2026, including a fibromyalgia FAQ, so go to the blog to read them. Click the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com 

#HealthBlogger #Fibromyalgia #FibromyalgiaAwareness #ChronicIllnessBlog
👓 Week 7 of 2026 Weekly 👓 1️⃣ IVIG 2️⃣ Annual ey 👓 Week 7 of 2026 Weekly 👓

1️⃣ IVIG 
2️⃣ Annual eye doc appointment! New glasses coming soon, but eye health (especially Sjögren’s) looked good
3️⃣ Needing lots of blood work means more kindle time while waiting 
4️⃣ Getting ready to start my next punch needle project 👀

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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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IDs: 
1️⃣ Looking at Kate’s lap. There are clear tubes coming out from under her shirt going to a pump next to Kate. Her laptop is open and a closed Kindle is on the bed.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie. She’s a redheaded white woman wearing a green scarf, beige mask, and pink glasses.
3️⃣ Looking at Kate’s lap. Her Kindle is on her coat on her lap. Her pink cane is in front of her legs. 
4️⃣ The start of an embroidery project, with a printed (but not started) frame, box with the finished project shown, and 2 open packets with instructions. 

#ChronicallyIll #DisabledAndCute #PunchNeedle #DMC #SjogrensSyndrome
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