Grace and Frankie is a fun show on Netflix. It's well done, all around. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin play off each other beautifully, and it's a rare bird, that can show depth and emotion and be hysterically funny at the same time. It's made me laugh hard enough that Hubby comes in to check… Read more Grace and Frankie: I bet Allison has MCAS.
Disclaimer: This is one of those times where I actively disagree with the standard veiws held by many physicians. I'm not a doctor, so don't take my advice, don't not take my advice, don't blindly follow my thinking, stop and think things through; most importantly, err on the side of caution. I will never forget… Read more Skin Scratch Tests and MCAS
I just looked out my back window. It’s a beautiful veiw. We look out across a valley. There are three ‘layers’ of mountains, with a foreground of trees- framed by the trunks of tall cedars. When I try and paint it, it looks fake because the ‘layers’ of mountains are remarkably even. I live just… Read more The Big Smoke
If my genes come from the Baltic, why am I eating eating like a Mediterranean? Amber. Yup. Amber. That’s what finally tipped the scale. I’m ready to put my ideas out there, confident that I won’t get laughed off the stage, at least. I have tried to write this about ten times, and I… Read more The Baltic Connection: A Starting Point
Today was my son’s graduation from grade seven- he’ll start highschool next year. A year ago, going into that gym would have ended with me in the hospital. I premedicated myself like hell, and pulled my mask on tight, and I did it! Well, I watched him get his service award and his certificate, and… Read more I’m going to be paying for this one.. it was worth it!
“Everything and anything”. At this point, the person I am talking to goes one of two ways. One group says “That must be hard.”. It’s usually a pretty clear conversation ender. If they say “What? Do you have food allergies, or environmental stuff, or meds. Or???” “Yes.” “Actually, it’s probably; easier to tell you what… Read more “What are you allergic to?” Street conversation #3
What? “Yes.” My doctor continued. “This weekend you very likely saved the life of a woman out East.” “Huh?” (How articulate of me). My doctor went on to explain that she has a friend who is a doctor, and who has become very interested in my case, and in MCAS. My Doc sends her copies… Read more “You played a part in saving someone’s life this weekend.” (Or: Why am I doing this?)
To return to my conversation when I’ve met someone on the street, we’ve answered the “What is the mask for?” that is inevitably the first question. It’s followed by ‘You’ve got MCAS? Okay…what’s that?” The ‘technical’ answer is here, but that doesn’t help much if you have no clue what mast cells are. I went… Read more “What are Mast Cells?” Street conversation #2.
My journey has been quite unexpected. Along the way though, there are points that deserve a pin on the map. Times when you choose to take a different direction, or you meet new companions. Sometimes they are only seen in hindsight, some that are immediately obvious. The last two weeks have turned things upside down.… Read more A Milestone: A new allergist.
I have been having a heck of a time getting my thoughts down coherently. I get started, and then before I know it, I’m halfway to writing a book. Im so keen to share my knowledge and experiences that it all pours out at once, in a big jumble. I’m not writing a historical memoir,… Read more Mask, anyone? Opening the conversation.