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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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I personally have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalg I personally have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Sjögren's syndrome, which makes 3 forms of arthritis.⁣
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May is Arthritis Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to remind people of these facts. Here's today's fact.⁣
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Like, comment, and share to spread awareness 💖 ⁣
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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⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
ID: Fact or Fiction? Let's Check! ⁣
Fiction⁣
Arthritis means only 1 thing.⁣
Fact⁣
There are over 100 kinds of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and more!⁣
katethealmostgreat⁣
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#ArthritisAwareness #RheumatoidArthritis #Fibromyalgia #SjogrensSyndrome #Arthritis
SHARING YOUR HEALTH EXPERIENCES PUBLICLY⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ I sh SHARING YOUR HEALTH EXPERIENCES PUBLICLY⁣⁣⁣
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I share my personal health experiences online, which I find it somewhat easy to do because I've been talking publicly - albeit to a smaller audience - since my health problems started in 2001. ⁣⁣⁣
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If you share something online, you need to be prepared for people to ask questions or argue with you. Should they? No. Will that stop them? Also do. ⁣
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That's one of the reasons that talking online about what can be trauma is not easy or for everyone. That's why it's important to practice self-care and to consciously think about what you want to share online before you do it. ⁣⁣⁣
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For example, I generally only talk publicly about a health situation once it has passed, especially if it's an emergency. I also make sure that I'm in a good place mentally before I talk about it. That way, I don't share things I'll regret sharing publicly later. It also helps me be less anxious about sharing these details.⁣⁣⁣
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And I don't share everything! There's lot of stuff that I haven't talked about not only online but with people in real life. It might seem like I share everything I've experienced, but I don't. ⁣
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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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⬛⁣
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IDs: Kate works on a laptop offscreen. She's a redheaded white woman wearing a beige-and-navy striped sweater, silver Claddagh necklace, and pink glasses.⁣
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#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #ChronicPain #Endometriosis #SjogrensSyndrome
Week 18 of 2026 Weekly 1️⃣ Cross-stitch and IVIG Week 18 of 2026 Weekly 

1️⃣ Cross-stitch and IVIG 
2️⃣ Another trip to the foot doctor. We’re officially in Try To Avoid My 6th Foot Surgery mode 🤞🏻 
3️⃣ At least there were lilacs?

⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

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⁣⁣.

⬛ 

IDs: 
1️⃣ Looking down at Kate’s lap. Tubes are coming out of her shirt. She’s working on a cross stitch.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office. She’s wearing a lilac mask.
3️⃣ A lilac bush

#IVIG #CrossStitching #ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness
FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain? This is a se FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain? 

This is a series where I answer questions I frequently get about my rheumatoid arthritis. I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice - just saying the truth about my body in particular. 

Video: Kate speaks to camera. There are captions. A black text box reads “FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain?” 

#RheumatoidArthritis #AutoimmuneArthritis #Arthritis #ArthritisAwarenessMonth
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, which is the per May is Arthritis Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to remind people of these facts. Here's today's fact.⁣
⁣
Like, comment, and share to spread awareness 💖⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
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: Fact or Fiction? Let's Check! ⁣
Fiction⁣
Arthritis only affects people as they age.⁣
Fact⁣
Arthritis can affect anyone at any age, including kids as young as 3.⁣
katethealmostgreat⁣
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#ArthritisAwareness #Arthritis #RheumatoidDisease #RheumatoidArthritis #ArthritisAwarenessMonth
I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does su I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does success look like? ⁣
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*This is all just for me and my case!*⁣
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1️⃣ I haven't gotten sick at all since I started, not even a cold. ⁣
2️⃣ My lungs are clear of any ground glass opacities, which was what pushed us over to finally doing IVIG regularly. ⁣
3️⃣ We feel better about saying that I don't have any infections. Because symptoms are often signs of the body fighting an infection, we couldn't always trust that I wasn't sick because I didn't have symptoms. ⁣
4️⃣ Because of all of this, we're increasing my next Rituxan dose! This will mean better RA symptoms and hopefully no new illnesses for a few years.⁣
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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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⬛⁣
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ID: A bunch of IVIG supplies, including a pump. ⁣
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#ChronicallyIll #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #AutoimmuneDisease #Autoimmune
Week 17 of 2026 Weekly 1️⃣ Making some real progr Week 17 of 2026 Weekly

1️⃣ Making some real progress with this cross stitch
2️⃣ Walking casts have multiple uses, including holding down your mat! (Don’t worry - I only did broken-foot-compatible things) 

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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⁣⁣.

⬛

IDs:
1️⃣ An in-progress cross stitch. You can see that Kate stitched 2 bears.
3️⃣ A walking cast lies on a black yoga mat 

#CrossStitching #CrossStitcher #RheumatoidArthritis #Osteoporosis #LoopsAndThreads
Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ Fatigue Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣
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Fatigue is so much more than being tired. It's sleeping 10 hours at night and then struggling to stay awake during the day. It's trouble focusing because, even though you just had 3 cups of coffee, you're thinking about sleep. It's needing to factor rest in during the day because you have plans at night. ⁣⁣⁣
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It's a lot. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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It's no secret that I have multiple chronic illnesses. But did you know that all of them - all 11+ of them - have fatigue as a symptom? Sometimes the fatigue is worse than the pain and, uh, I live with a lot of pain.⁣⁣
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This picture was taken when I was super anemic and waiting for 4 iron infusions. Now, months later, I can see it. And I also don't know how I got through the months of that anemia. ⁣
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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 redheaded white woman wearing a gray sweater and pink glasses.⁣
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#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #Fibromyalgia #Endometriosis #POTS
Week 16 of 2026 This week had EVERYTHING 1️⃣ Cr Week 16 of 2026 

This week had EVERYTHING

1️⃣ Cross-stitch during virtual mass 
2️⃣ Tuesday featured a 90-minute meeting during work and then an hour advocacy work call after my day job (both were good!)
3️⃣ Wednesday started at my foot doctor’s office and I left in a walking boot. Hopefully these 3 fractured bones will heal correctly this time 🤞🏻
4️⃣ Thursday started back at MGH for my annual neurology appointment + foot CT scan
5️⃣ Then I went up to Maine … 
6️⃣ to celebrate my grandma’s 85th birthday! 

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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⁣⁣.

⬛

IDs: 
1️⃣ In the foreground is an in-progress cross-stitch piece. The background shows an open laptop streaming Catholic mass.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie. She’s a white woman with auburn hair and green glasses.
3️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office. 
4️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a car.
5️⃣ Kate takes a selfie snuggling with a golden retriever.
6️⃣ Kate and her cousins stand with their grandmother in front of a sign saying "Happy Birthday." 

#CrossStitch #ChronicPain #ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness
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