• Skip to main content
  • 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

chronic illness

People know so little about autoimmune diseases, so I thought it was time to talk about some autoimmune disease basics.
People know so little about autoimmune diseases, so I thought it was time to talk about some autoimmune disease basics.
in Health &middot July 25, 2023

What No One Tells You About Autoimmune Diseases

Read the Post »

What No One Tells You About Autoimmune Diseases

in Health &middot May 30, 2023

Unusual Things I Do Because of Celiac Disease

Read the Post »

Unusual Things I Do Because of Celiac Disease

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".
in Health, Lifestyle &middot May 23, 2023

The Restorative Power of Nature

Read the Post »

The Restorative Power of Nature

in Health, Lifestyle &middot May 16, 2023

Can a Low Histamine Diet Help Those with (Certain) Chronic Illness Conditions?

Read the Post »

Can a Low Histamine Diet Help Those with (Certain) Chronic Illness Conditions?

Text reads: The Autoimmune Blood Test That Empowers Patients, www. katethealmostgreat. com
Text reads: The Autoimmune Blood Test That Empowers Patients, www. katethealmostgreat. com
in Health &middot April 18, 2023

The Autoimmune Blood Test That Empowers Patients

Read the Post »

The Autoimmune Blood Test That Empowers Patients

Image alt text: Looking at a gray kiosk at an angle inside a building. The image on the front says “Safe Drug Disposal” in large text and the Spanish translation below in smaller text. (“Eliminación Segura de Medicamentos”). In the red text below is “Return Your Unused Prescription Medications Here”. The text below is blurry but most likely the Spanish version of that.
Image alt text: Looking at a gray kiosk at an angle inside a building. The image on the front says “Safe Drug Disposal” in large text and the Spanish translation below in smaller text. (“Eliminación Segura de Medicamentos”). In the red text below is “Return Your Unused Prescription Medications Here”. The text below is blurry but most likely the Spanish version of that.
in Health &middot March 5, 2023

Essential Prescription Tips

Read the Post »

Essential Prescription Tips

Text reads: Can chronic pain go away? What you should know (end text). People without chronic pain have questions that they often don’t feel comfortable asking of a patient, such as, “Can chronic pain go away?” Most of these questions - this one included - have nuanced answers! Which is why I’m answering a bunch of them in this post.
Text reads: Can chronic pain go away? What you should know (end text). People without chronic pain have questions that they often don’t feel comfortable asking of a patient, such as, “Can chronic pain go away?” Most of these questions - this one included - have nuanced answers! Which is why I’m answering a bunch of them in this post.
in Health &middot January 17, 2023

Can Chronic Pain Go Away? What You Should Know

Read the Post »

Can Chronic Pain Go Away? What You Should Know

Text reads: Food for TMJ Flares, the best recipes to help heal, www.katethealmostgreat.com (end text). Whether you have TMJ arthritis or problems with the muscles around your TMJs, it can be difficult to manage TMJ jaw pain. But since I have 12+ years of experience with this, and plenty of people don’t, I wanted to share my favorite food for TMJ flares. I mean, every year or so I go through a period of 1-2 months when I have a hard time chewing. That’s at least a year’s worth of time! 
Text reads: Food for TMJ Flares, the best recipes to help heal, www.katethealmostgreat.com (end text). Whether you have TMJ arthritis or problems with the muscles around your TMJs, it can be difficult to manage TMJ jaw pain. But since I have 12+ years of experience with this, and plenty of people don’t, I wanted to share my favorite food for TMJ flares. I mean, every year or so I go through a period of 1-2 months when I have a hard time chewing. That’s at least a year’s worth of time! 
in Health, Lifestyle &middot January 3, 2023

Food for TMJ Flares: The Best Recipes To Help Heal

Read the Post »

Food for TMJ Flares: The Best Recipes To Help Heal

Text reads: gift ideas, chronic illness must haves (end text). Patients might want these because they will make their life easier. Patients might want them because they have to spend their money on things like medications and doctor’s visits. Patients might want them because they are illness-specific products. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of reasons why chronic illness patients might want these gifts.
Text reads: gift ideas, chronic illness must haves (end text). Patients might want these because they will make their life easier. Patients might want them because they have to spend their money on things like medications and doctor’s visits. Patients might want them because they are illness-specific products. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of reasons why chronic illness patients might want these gifts.
in Health, Lifestyle &middot November 18, 2022

Gift Ideas: Chronic Illness Must-Haves

Read the Post »

Gift Ideas: Chronic Illness Must-Haves

Text reads: Hack for chronic disease management (end text). Living with chronic illness is damn difficult. If you’re reading this post, you probably know that. I’ve lived with it for over 20 years, and I’ve tried all sorts of different things over the years to make life easier with it. Skip a few decades of struggles by checking out my hacks for chronic disease management in this post.
Text reads: Hack for chronic disease management (end text). Living with chronic illness is damn difficult. If you’re reading this post, you probably know that. I’ve lived with it for over 20 years, and I’ve tried all sorts of different things over the years to make life easier with it. Skip a few decades of struggles by checking out my hacks for chronic disease management in this post.
in Health &middot October 25, 2022

Hacks for Chronic Disease Management That You Need

Read the Post »

Hacks for Chronic Disease Management That You Need

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

Read the Post »

10 Ideas for Self Care You Need This Holiday Season

Text reads: 7 arthritis myths busted, do you know the truth? (end text). There are so many arthritis myths! As a millennial with arthritis, I have heard so many of them. This month marks 21 years of living with arthritis, so I figured it was as good a time as any to bust some of these arthritis myths. 
Text reads: 7 arthritis myths busted, do you know the truth? (end text). There are so many arthritis myths! As a millennial with arthritis, I have heard so many of them. This month marks 21 years of living with arthritis, so I figured it was as good a time as any to bust some of these arthritis myths. 
in Health &middot September 6, 2022

7 Arthritis Myths Busted: Do You Know The Truth?

Read the Post »

7 Arthritis Myths Busted: Do You Know The Truth?

Text reads: Do I have a chronic illness? What you should know if you're a new patient (end text). In the age of COVID-19, there are a lot of people who were healthy before their infection and who now have a chronic condition of some kind. Maybe it’s long-COVID, but maybe it’s damage to the heart or lungs. Maybe they now have an autoimmune disease triggered by the virus. Regardless, there are now a lot more people who are asking themselves, “Do I have a chronic illness?” 
Text reads: Do I have a chronic illness? What you should know if you're a new patient (end text). In the age of COVID-19, there are a lot of people who were healthy before their infection and who now have a chronic condition of some kind. Maybe it’s long-COVID, but maybe it’s damage to the heart or lungs. Maybe they now have an autoimmune disease triggered by the virus. Regardless, there are now a lot more people who are asking themselves, “Do I have a chronic illness?” 
in Health &middot July 26, 2022

Do I Have a Chronic Illness? What You Should Know If You’re a New Patient

Read the Post »

Do I Have a Chronic Illness? What You Should Know If You’re a New Patient

Text reads: What Sjögren's Syndrome Is, a beginner's guide (end text). As an arthritis advocate and someone who knows people with Sjögren’s, I knew a lot more than the average person does, but I still wondered what Sjögren’s syndrome is. We’re going to look at the definition, the symptoms, the treatments, and more, including, of course, how “Sjögren’s” is pronounced. 
Text reads: What Sjögren's Syndrome Is, a beginner's guide (end text). As an arthritis advocate and someone who knows people with Sjögren’s, I knew a lot more than the average person does, but I still wondered what Sjögren’s syndrome is. We’re going to look at the definition, the symptoms, the treatments, and more, including, of course, how “Sjögren’s” is pronounced. 
in Health &middot June 14, 2022

What Sjögren’s Syndrome Is: A Beginner’s Guide

Read the Post »

What Sjögren’s Syndrome Is: A Beginner’s Guide

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

Read the Post »

Tips To Make Independently Living with a Chronic Illness Easier

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 10
  • Go to Next Page »

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
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.⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
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.⁣⁣
⁣
#RheumatoidArthritis #SjogrensSyndrome #HeartDisease #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicallyIll
This is the face of coronary artery disease⁣ ⁣ Yup This is the face of coronary artery disease⁣
⁣
Yup, I have heart disease. ⁣
⁣
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. ⁣
⁣
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. ⁣
⁣
COVID is also an inflammatory condition, which is why research shows that COVID can increase risk of heart disease. ⁣
⁣
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. ⁣
⁣
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). ⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
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 hair wearing a white sweater, silver Claddagh necklace, and pink glasses.⁣
⁣
#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!

⬛

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 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.⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
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.⁣⁣
⁣
#RheumatoidArthritis #SjogrensSyndrome #HeartDisease #AutoimmuneDisease
What do you do during infusions?⁣ ⁣ With Rituxan, What do you do during infusions?⁣
⁣
With Rituxan, iron, and IVIG, I spend a lot of time in the infusion chair. That's a lot of time to kill!⁣
⁣
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!⁣
⁣
⬛⁣
⁣
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: 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⁣
⁣
#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 👀

⬛

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 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
Follow on Instagram

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