Severe allergies

The Big Smoke

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

The Nordic Connection: A Starting Point

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 Nordic Connection: A Starting Point

“What are you allergic to?” Street conversation #3

“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

“You played a part in saving someone’s life this weekend.” (Or: Why am I doing this?)

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?)

What is MCAS?

In the last few years, the information around mast cell disorders has changed quite a bit. There is some confusion about what word is the ‘right’ one. It’s slowly coming together, and if will almost certainly change again many times. The terminology (if not the criterion) is slowly coming together and becoming more universal.. SO, I won’t… Read more What is MCAS?

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome. I’m Karen, and I would like to invite you to walk with me along my journey. It isn’t always the easiest hiking trail, but it is rarely boring. When I was in school, Rick Hansen was doing his around the world journey in his wheelchair, to raise awareness for spinal cord research. When… Read more Welcome!

Let’s Start at the very Beginning…

April 2017 So, this all began on November 21, 2011. No, maybe it was August of 1991 (nasty upper respiratory infection), oh- or September of 2001 (when I had reactive arthritis). Maybe it was the flower bee when I was 6 or 7? Well, so perhaps starting at the beginning is a very good way… Read more Let’s Start at the very Beginning…