Short episode coming at you this week. Amy's checking in solo while we adjust to a new time zone and settle in to our summer digs in Italy! She's got a few reflections to share about one of her favorite places on earth, how she navigates it with health challenges, and a new health update. Listen in and we'll both be back next week!

I REMEMBER

I almost thought I'd forgotten what life was like in the Before Times. Then someone asked what life looks like for me these days. And then I remembered what I forgot.

Skiing. Parties. Travel. Late night meals. Driving. Diving. A whole day without naps. Big screen TV. Live music. Italy. Italy. Italy.

You can keep it all but please let me have Italy. I remember Italy but I'm afraid I'll forget. The carrots. Just carrots but perfectly carrots. The pear. Just a pear but perfection. The church bells. Wholly unnecessary but fine, I'll forgive those because PROSCIUTTO.

And grapes. The vines. The valleys. The views. THE WINE.

I remember these things. I remember Italy. I'm keeping Italy.

-----------------As promised, here's a link to Amy's Instagram if you want to check out the views from our villa: https://www.instagram.com/a.maria.blackstone/

And in case you want to stay at this incredible place too, which we highly recommend... https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/36460651?source_impression_id=p3_1751033391_P3h_GQcZWmQfMzTM

B-I-N-G-O! What good is a chronic illness if we can't have a little fun with it? Today we're playing Long COVID Bingo! Instead of numbers on the squares of our cards, we've got the questions, comments, and bits of "wisdom" most commonly shared with Long COVID patients. There are classics like, "What's Long COVID?" and, "Are you still sick?" And of course everyone's favorite, "You look perfectly fine!" and the ever-popular, "Sorry. That treatment isn't covered by your insurance." Play along! Let's have some fun!

Follow along and get your own LONG COVID BINGO card at ⁠https://amyblackstonephd.substack.com/p/long-covid-bingo⁠

Have you ever struggled to admit you need help? Do you ever resist the very thing you know you need? Have you ever felt the simultaneous push-pull of gratitude AND resentment? Given your druthers, would you choose the role of care-R over care-E? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this episode is for you! If you didn't, listen for insight into how the other half of us think!

ACCEPTING YOUR CARE*

The carnivorous plants in our house landed there against their will. Or not so much against their will as un-consulted. They're there whether they like it or not.

But they can thrive. And thrive they do. On one condition:

They must accept your care.

You check them daily. You are incessant about tending to their needs.

I wonder, do they ever resent you for it? Do they ever resist the very thing they need in order to survive?

What if one day they just said "no thanks" to the specialty water you faithfully order, pay for, and lug up four flights of stairs for them?

Well, we know "what if."

So they accept your care. And you give it. Willing. Lovingly. Daily. Typically even gladly.

And you will continue giving it.

And they will continue to accept it.

And they will thrive here, with you.

*After Max Ritvo's "Your Voice in the Chemo Room"

Continues at ⁠https://substack.com/@neverthelesspersisting/note/c-114664731?utm_source=activity_item