1 Week: Take it A Day at a Time

Dealing with a long-term illness can be tough, especially when every day feels uncertain. It's a challenge to find the silver lining or something that motivates you. I've been on a quest

to discover how I can fit into this new version of myself and what I can do each day to feel like I'm making a difference—not just for my family, but for myself too. I've always worked since I was young, and I really need that spark in my life to keep the positivity flowing.

I'm excited to share that I've discovered my niche, and I'll have more details soon! The last few weeks of working on this have really reignited my passion and given me a sense of purpose. I'm back at my laptop, crafting business plans and leveraging my skills to figure out how to best support my clients, some of whom I've known for a long time. I'm optimistic that this positive vibe will boost my recovery.

So, I kicked off the new meds at the end of last week. Now I'm officially on three meds that really mess with my immune system. In total, I'm taking over 12 different medications, 4 being daily injections, and sorting them out each week is a massive chore! Let's just say I'm in full-on hibernation mode. If my doctors had their way, I'd be stuck like a prisoner with just a little slot for my meals... yeah, that's not happening. I'm really hoping these new meds kick in soon so I can start cutting back on the steroids, which I like to call the devil drug! The side effects of these new "treats" are no joke. I'm hopeful that the more I take them, the side effects will ease up. I feel like there's zero energy in my body, pain in my joints, constant knee pain, trouble moving them, shaking, and numbness in my hands and feet... oh, and the lovely twitching of the eyes. Such amazing, magical feelings (sarcasm).

So, on a different note, my hair is falling out, and I'm starting to look like a neglected, chubby Barbie doll. What's left of my hair is a tangled mess, like a bird's nest, and every time I brush or wash it, more clumps fall out. My hair used to be long, thick, and even had a nice wave. Now, I can't even pull off a decent messy bun. How is that

possible?! The messy bun has been my go-to for years, especially since all this started, and now I can't even manage to look like a distressed mother properly.

If you know us, you know we're not exactly the "earthy" type. But this year, Briggs learned about Earth Day at school and was super eager to plant something at home, even though we're not the best at keeping plants or fish alive. (Seriously, it's not great!) We grabbed a tomato plant from Whole Foods and let him plant it in a pot in our

yard. He was over the moon and has been watering it every day. Who knows, maybe Briggs will be the one in the family who can actually take care of plants and maybe even a fish someday?! There may be hope for us after all.

The kids and Tom went to my cousin's Bat Mitzvah, and as you know, I was really bummed about not being able to go. But hey, I got to watch the service on Zoom, which was awesome. I missed out on the singing, dancing, and party vibes, but I need to focus on getting better so I can be there for

the next family events! It's tough knowing I'm missing these special moments, and it's something I deal with every day. I keep telling myself this is just temporary... this too shall pass. Let me tell you that in the moment, it sure doesn't feel like this crap is never going to pass.

Overall, even though I've been at home, I've been trying to keep myself busy. I did a photo shoot with Briggs for some pictures his agent can send to different brands. I'm also working on eating full meals instead of snacking all the time—focusing more on fruits and veggies and cutting back on processed stuff. The kids got to go to work with Dad

for take your children to work day! They had a blast and even got to see Papa while they were in the city. Life is pretty much the same, even though my days can change at the drop of a hat. I'm doing my best to keep a routine for my kids so they don't feel the stress or anxiety I deal with every day. I want them to feel safe, loved, and know that no matter what I'm going through, they'll be okay.

I'm super grateful to everyone who's been there for me and my family. All the calls, emails, texts, photos, memes, and surprise visits mean the world to me. This whole situation is a lot to handle, and having people to share thoughts, ideas, and feelings with really helps me process everything and keep moving forward.