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203 Posts

Chronic Illness

In this section you will find all articles related to chronic illness, which is a major focus for this website. Topics span from rare diseases to new diagnoses, chronic pain, brain fog, societal issues and more. Articles are a collection of patient perspectives, both my own and others from the chronic illness community.

Career & Finances ⸱ Sheryl Chan

Chronic Illness is Expensive, but Here’s the Real Reason Why

It's no surprise that seeing more than a dozen different doctors on a regular basis is an expensive affair. My medical bills add up to a thousand dollars per month on average. This excludes the occasional surgery, pain management and mobility tools, and other home and living expenses
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Personal Development ⸱ Sheryl Chan

Kick Ass With Kindness and a Sweet Cherry on Top

A Mundane Activity Embedded in My Memory There was this game we played in secondary school post-exams during some motivational course. Blank papers were stuck onto our backs, and we had to go around writing down a person's best quality. I noticed that those who lacked immediate personality
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Personal Development ⸱ Sheryl Chan

Don’t Compare, Your Life Destination is Your Own Special Mission

“Don’t set sail on someone else’s star.” - African Proverb Don't Compare - Easier Said Than Done Ah, comparison, one of the greatest sources of self-inflicted, needless suffering. So why don’t we all just stop? Easier said than done. "Am I smarter? Am I
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Personal Development ⸱ Sheryl Chan

Why Your Beauty Never Left You

Reminiscing Past Accomplishments "I used to be a straight A student. On top of that, I used to lead this and that team. I was also the best in this and that sport." This is a statement that I have used and often hear in varying degrees. The
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Chronic Illness ⸱ Sheryl Chan

The Road to Recovery is the Longest of Them All

The Road to Recovery After My Near-Death Experience with Pulmonary Embolism & DVTs As you may know, one of the deadly autoimmune diseases that I live with is Antiphospholipid Syndrome. It tends to hum along in the background most days, but when it strikes, it aims for the kill. That
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Chronic Illness ⸱ Sheryl Chan

A Page From a Sick Girl's Diary: Sometimes I Wish I was an Old Person

Celebrating Getting Older... But Not in the Good Way Recently I turned 30 and I was glad, but not for the reasons you might imagine. I felt relieved; relieved to leave the decade associated with boundless energy. I was questioned a lot especially in my early youth, “why aren’t
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Mental Health ⸱ Sheryl Chan

Is Seeking Help for Your Mental Health Worth It?

Ever Thought of Seeing a Mental Health Professional, But Hesitated...? Has the thought of seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist for your mental health ever crossed your mind? You might have mused but hesitated over the idea. Either because you didn't think that there were real benefits, or wondered
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Caregiving ⸱ Sheryl Chan

The Art of Supporting: Sometimes That Means Letting Go

“We cripple people who are capable of walking because we choose to carry them.” - Christie Williams What is the "Best" Way to Show Your Support? If I were to ask you - "what do you think is the best way to show your support to a
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Chronic Illness ⸱ Sheryl Chan

10 Very Normal Things I am Grateful I Can Do

"Chores" and "Annoyances" That I am Grateful I Can Do There are many things in life that we grumble about and consider as chores or annoyances. I would say that the blessing and scourge of the 21st century is convenience – fast food and deliveries, speedy transportation,
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Chronic Illness ⸱ Sheryl Chan

What's it Like to be on a High Dose of Steroids? (And the First Question You Will Definitely Ask)

*Content Warning: Mentions of suicide, anxiety and depression in relation to being on a high dose of steroids. *Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for
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Blogging & Writing ⸱ Sheryl Chan

A Quarterly Reflection: 12 Important Life Lessons I’ve Learned

Who Would Have Thought That Blogging Could Teach Me Important Life Lessons? It has only been 4 months since the launch of A Chronic Voice, but I have learned so much over that short span of time from the increased amount of reading and writing done. As such I figured
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Antiphospholipid Syndrome ⸱ Sheryl Chan

An Experience from Hell: Pulmonary Embolism, DVTs & Antiphospholipid Syndrome

A Careless Misdiagnosis: “Muscular Cramps” Instead of Pulmonary Embolism “It’s just a muscular cramp”. The general practitioner I saw dismissed my intense pains with a swift diagnosis. He gave me some muscle relaxants and sent me limping off. Meanwhile, a monstrous pulmonary embolism gathered in size and strength, as
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