I have a young friend who is a Juilliard-trained classical violist.
Alice is abundantly talented, intelligent, charming, beautiful, and chronically ill.
Alice lives in California and recently started a YouTube Channel titled "Chronically Musical" with the hopes of sharing what she has learned about and how she deals with living with two chronic illnesses, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ulcerative colitis) and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease.
Each week Alice shares a new video on YouTube and recently her topic was about being your own health advocate. The video is filled with excellent tips, many of which I consider to be useful organizing tips for managing any serious illness!
In the video Alice offers 3 tips:
#1; Take notes and keep track of your symptoms, and keep this information in one place.
#2: Always be prepared:
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go to appointments with questions written out before-hand
- confirm medical records have been sent over prior to the appointment
- keep track of what the doctor says during the appointment (notes or record)
#3: Communication is key, even when details or symptoms are embarrassing, so share with your doctors, family, friends, and colleagues.
Today's newsletter is only a brief recap of the valuable information Alice shares in the video, so please watch the video.
If this topic relates to you in any way, I strongly recommend you take 12 minutes to watch this valuable video! Keep in mind that Alice also shares useful products she uses to manage her illness, such as free printable medical forms. There are more helpful links below the video.
You can learn more about Alice the musician and all-around wonderful person here on her website.
