Chronic HOPE

10/27/2026

This is the volunteer work I’ve had the privilege of doing for almost 3 years for PA Lyme Resource Network. So many people need a health provider who really understands how to properly test & treat Lyme & tickborne diseases. PA Lyme has a confidential list of about 20 providers in PA. We also have providers in NJ, MD, De, & NY. So if you need help, click on this link: https://palyme.org/referrals

In order to continue this & many other services, we need your donations! If you still need to make tax-deductible donations before the end of 2026, please consider donating to PA Lyme: https://www.palyme.org/donate-2?fbclid=IwdGRjcAVOAABleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWURGDkAvRoGQ50LVPRkcHA_L0d1JyOnNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5sOD9L84Il__An1Ous6wHVo2bjniGVFnFetxrBBd1UrRuZD8wiIF7ia_RLNQ_aem_X1CMP_yPXgFr9_kk_vtDNg

10/23/2026

Did you ever hear of the October Slide?

🚨 Unpopular opinion: October is actually the hardest month of the year when you have chronic illness.

If you live with hEDS, POTS, or Fibromyalgia, you already know exactly what I mean. While everyone else is romanticising autumn, pumpkin spice, and crunchy leaves, our bodies are literally screaming.
In the chronic illness community, we call this the "October Slide", and it is totally real.

If your body has completely crashed over the last few weeks, you aren't crazy, you aren't lazy, and you definitely aren't alone. Here is the actual science behind why autumn feels like a physical battleground for us:

💥 The Pressure Cooker Effect (hEDS): When the barometric pressure drops, the air pressure around us changes. For hypermobile joints and sensitive sinuses, this causes tissues to expand, triggering intense joint pain, stiffness, and raging migraines.

🎢 Temperature Whiplash (POTS): Going from a warm afternoon to a freezing evening completely breaks our autonomic nervous system. Our bodies can't regulate temperature, leading to sudden heart rate spikes, shivering, and severe fatigue.

🪫 The Battery Drain (Fibro): Shorter days mean plummeting Vitamin D levels and disrupted sleep cycles. It’s the perfect storm for deep, widespread muscle pain and that heavy, unshakeable brain fog.

If you are reading this from bed, wrapped in a heating pad, or struggling just to focus your eyes right now: give yourself some grace. Your nervous system is working at 200% capacity just trying to adapt to the weather outside.

How is the "October Slide" treating you this year? Which symptom is hitting you the hardest right now?

10/16/2026

10/05/2026

CHRONIC HOPE...it's not just a name! It's now a small community group that meets in person monthly.
If you live in Berks County, please join us at Community Evangelical Church for a small group that offers comfort, connection, and Christ-centered encouragement while navigating chronic illness or chronic pain or supporting someone who is. And YES, THIS IS FOR ANYONE IN BERKS COUNTY seeking this support.
Our daytime group meets this month on Tuesday, 10/13, from 1:30-3 in the Library and on Thursday, 10/15, from 6:30-8 in Room 10 downstairs. The address is 51 Green Valley Rd., Sinking Spring, PA 19608. You can comment below if you're interested or send me a private message.

10/05/2026

Praying this for all of you…and me too!

You do not need the entire week to go perfectly. Ask God for enough light to recognize one kindness, one open door, or one quiet reminder that you are not walking alone.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” — Romans 15:13

Begin the week with more Scripture-rooted encouragement through our free devotional linked in bio.

09/21/2026

Where does your strength to persevere come from? Only God has unlimited strength to give. 💪🏻

09/14/2026

You're invited...to CHRONIC HOPE...in person!
Are you navigating chronic illness or chronic pain or supporting someone who is?
If so, and you live in Berks County, Community Evangelical Church wants to invite you to Chronic Hope, a monthly support group that offers comfort, connection, and Christ-centered encouragement. We have a daytime and nighttime group. In September, we're meeting on Tuesday, 9/15, from 1:30-3 for the day group and on Thursday, 9/17, from 6:30-8 for the night group. The address is 51 Green Valley Rd., Sinking Spring, PA 19608. We meet in the Youth Room, which is downstairs. You can just come or sign up using the QR codes below.

06/12/2026

So grateful God IS bigger than my Lyme disease and endometrial pelvic pain! Even though my Lyme is in remission, I’ve been having some difficult days.