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Feminism is ...
in Lifestyle &middot October 5, 2015

The One Thing Every Woman Must Do

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in Lifestyle &middot October 5, 2015

The One Thing Every Woman Must Do

Feminism is ...

I'm usually against the idea of speaking to women as an entire group. There are so many different groups of women - and very few only belong to one group - and the only issues ... Read the Post...

September Blog Traffic Report
in Writing & Blogging &middot October 2, 2015

September Blog Traffic Report

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in Writing & Blogging &middot October 2, 2015

September Blog Traffic Report

September Blog Traffic Report

I knew that school starting would cause some problems for my blog traffic. First of all, school comes first, work comes second, and blogging comes third. This means less time ... Read the Post...

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".
September Favorites Beauty
in Lifestyle &middot September 30, 2015

September Favorites

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in Lifestyle &middot September 30, 2015

September Favorites

September Favorites Beauty

Anyone else having trouble believing that today is the last day of September? This month flew by so quickly. It probably didn't help that grad school started! I spent this ... Read the Post...

in Lifestyle &middot September 28, 2015

Fall Essentials

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in Lifestyle &middot September 28, 2015

Fall Essentials

Fall is finally showing its face around Boston and we are approaching October, which is just awesome because of Halloween and fall weather and, well, you can probably figure ... Read the Post...

Spoonie Spotlight
in Health &middot September 27, 2015

Spoonie Spotlight: Heather

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in Health &middot September 27, 2015

Spoonie Spotlight: Heather

Spoonie Spotlight

Spoonie Spotlight is my way to use my platform to share the stories of others living with arthritis or an arthritis-related condition. The point is to share the realities of ... Read the Post...

in Writing & Blogging &middot September 25, 2015

(More) Blogging Tips for Intermediate Bloggers

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in Writing & Blogging &middot September 25, 2015

(More) Blogging Tips for Intermediate Bloggers

You're not a beginner blogger, but you still have a long way to go before being an advanced one. How will you improve? By using one or all of these blogging tips for ... Read the Post...

in Health &middot September 23, 2015

How The Internet Helps Spoonies

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in Health &middot September 23, 2015

How The Internet Helps Spoonies

As you could probably gather from my list of resources for arthritis patients and their families, there are a lot of things on the Internet that can help spoonies. But there ... Read the Post...

6 Historical Fiction Books Reviewed
in Lifestyle &middot September 21, 2015

6 Historical Fiction Books Reviewed

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in Lifestyle &middot September 21, 2015

6 Historical Fiction Books Reviewed

6 Historical Fiction Books Reviewed

I've been sharing the books I read every month in my monthly favorites posts, but I don't really review them other than saying if I loved or hated them. So today I thought it ... Read the Post...

in Health &middot September 18, 2015

Take Action: Email the CDC

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in Health &middot September 18, 2015

Take Action: Email the CDC

It has come to my attention that the CDC is discussing the adoption of new guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain patients. Adopting these guidelines could hurt ... Read the Post...

Natural Hair Products That Work
in Lifestyle &middot September 16, 2015

Holistic Hair Products That Work

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in Lifestyle &middot September 16, 2015

Holistic Hair Products That Work

Natural Hair Products That Work

  Like the vast majority of women, I have problems with my hair. Sometimes it's as simple as it doesn't do what I want it to, but usually it's more like I deal with ... Read the Post...

How To Market Your Book
in Writing & Blogging &middot September 14, 2015

Marketing Your Book as You Write It

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in Writing & Blogging &middot September 14, 2015

Marketing Your Book as You Write It

How To Market Your Book

Before I started graduate school, I received my syllabi and saw how much work I was going to have. I knew it would be manageable, but that it would probably take me a little ... Read the Post...

Take Better Notes
in Lifestyle &middot September 10, 2015

Take Better Notes on Your Readings

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in Lifestyle &middot September 10, 2015

Take Better Notes on Your Readings

Take Better Notes

No matter what you're studying, or at what level, you'll have readings to do for homework and you'll be expected to master that content to a certain degree. Since I have ... Read the Post...

in Lifestyle &middot September 8, 2015

This Is Grad School

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in Lifestyle &middot September 8, 2015

This Is Grad School

If you've thought that things have been a little quiet over in this neck of the Internet, it's because grad school started and I have been swamped. Starting from August 27, I ... Read the Post...

Is Arthritis a Big Deal?
in Health &middot September 4, 2015

Is Arthritis a Big Deal?

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in Health &middot September 4, 2015

Is Arthritis a Big Deal?

Is Arthritis a Big Deal?

Last month, when I asked for people with chronic illness to share the ridiculous things that healthy people have said to them, the one that I heard over and over again was ... Read the Post...

Increase Blog Traffic
in Writing & Blogging &middot September 2, 2015

August Blog Traffic Report

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in Writing & Blogging &middot September 2, 2015

August Blog Traffic Report

Increase Blog Traffic

The most exciting thing about today's blog traffic report is that I'm halfway to my initial goal of 20,000 monthly pageviews on Google Analytics! You can read more about ... Read the Post...

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

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  • Beginner’s Guide: Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Up
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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 ⁣
⁣
As you can imagine, that makes me very aware of my disability via juvenile arthritis⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
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.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
#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. ⁣
⁣
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. ⁣
⁣
It doesn't mean that one person is necessarily worse off than another; they're just different.⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
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. A white text box reads "Chronic Illness Looks Different in Each Person"⁣
⁣
#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⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
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⁣⁣.

⁣⁣⬛⁣⁣

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

⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

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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⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
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 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. ⁣
⁣
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!⁣
⁣
⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
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⁣⁣.⁣
⁣
⁣⁣⬛⁣⁣⁣
⁣
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".⁣
⁣
#AutoimmuneDisease #RheumatoidArthritis #PsoriaticArthritis #AnkylosingSpondylitis #JuvenileArthritis
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