Wow, life has been crazy since my last blog post. It seems like the saying, “when it rains it pours” is very applicable. Every time things started to settle down, something else reared its ugly head and demanded my attention. Needless to say my fitness goals continued to be less of a priority. Sometimes it just has to be that …
Determination and Independence: Two traits for chronic illness
There are two words that I live by these days: “Determination” and “Independence”. When I was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism 3 years ago I was more determined than ever to maintain my independence. I had my thyroidectomy October 14th, 2011 and I had no prior knowledge of hypopara or really any of the risks of having the surgery. When I was …
One Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Survivor’s Voice
Meet Betty, a new voice in our blog series. Betty is using this blog to take us on her jouney through breast cancer and her need for calcium. I am an older woman who has never written a blog and who has only read one blog in the past. I never even considered the possibility of writing about myself. …
Osteoporosis: Know when and where to get your bone checkup
Here at Cal-EZ, we talk a lot about bone health and diseases of calcium deficiency like osteoporosis, hypoparathyroidism, and gastroparesis. And even though I’m so immersed in this world of calcium, I find some facts very startling. Like this tweet from the National Osteoporosis Society in the UK. Where we are now… #osteoporosis #nhs #health pic.twitter.com/k7aMEMF7xD — NOS (@OsteoporosisSoc) …
Vitamin D and Spring: More Sun, More D?
Happy Spring everyone! Most of us in the United States have already set our clocks ahead one hour, and I think most of us will be glad to finally put Old Man Winter to rest and start enjoying the warmer weather and sunshine. I know I will. Now that spring will officially be here tomorrow, what does that mean for …
Ironman Training and Nutrition
Cleanse update It has been just over a month since my last blog. I started my 28-day cleanse last week. I am currently on Day 11. The first week of the cleanse is probably the hardest. It requires you to get off coffee for an entire week! I can drink green tea in exchange for coffee, but talk about feeling …
10 Things TO Say to Someone With a Chronic Illness
In the chronic illness community, whether on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, you see many posts about what sick people DO NOT want to hear from others. At one time or another, we’ve all heard the classic “but you don’t look sick” comment from someone. For me, it used to make me really mad when someone would comment on how good …
Osteoporosis: A Silent Disease
When I googled silent disease, one of the first things I saw was an article on osteoporosis. I’ve heard that osteoporosis is a silent disease, and you, like me, may be wondering why it’s called this. A silent disease is one that continues to develop in the absence of symptoms. So how does this apply to osteoporosis? We tend to …
Rebooting the Brain: Clearing the Mind
Over the past few weeks my life took an unexpected turn. I can’t go into details here due to the sensitive nature of the situation, but let’s just say that I’ve been dealing with a family crisis that has required me to rearrange much of my existing structures and schedule. It’s been tough, and for the foreseeable future, it will …
Vitamin D Tip Sheet
When taking vitamin D supplements, like Cal-EZ, there are times that you need to know that you are taking them correctly. Cal-EZ has developed a printable Vitamin D Tip Sheet with a list of Do’s and Don’ts for taking vitamin D, a list of risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, and a list of medications that may interact with vitamin …
We Are Here to Help
Here at Cal-EZ, we aren’t just about selling a calcium and vitamin D supplement, we’re about helping others. Some of the people we’re helping are those that suffer from hypoparathyroidism and gastroparesis. On February 28, 2015, join with us as we recognize Rare Disease Day, a day that draws awareness to the many diseases that seemingly only affect a few. …
Give-a-Little Campaign: Help us support them
Cal-EZ is proud to support the Hypoparathyroidism Association, and now you can too! When hypoparathyroidism patients, caregivers, or family members make a purchase, 10% of the total purchase price will go towards an unrestricted grant to the Hypoparathyroidism Association, Inc.
Letting Go
I made a promise to myself when I agreed to do this blog, that I would be 100% honest. I had no idea how hard it would be being so honest with myself and for the world to read. I have always thought of myself and my life as an open book, but when it comes to living with hypoparathyroidism …
The Rule of Three: A Guide to Healthy Eating
Healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle do not happen through one choice or overnight. Rather, they are a culmination of choices made over time that add up to create an overall picture of health and wellness. There are many different guides out there, however, the easiest one for me to remember is the Rule of Three. As a nutritionist, …
Handling Love and Chronic Disease
Ah, Valentine’s Day; the holiday of love, candy and greeting cards. Whether or not you have someone to celebrate this holiday with, being sick can really put a damper on the day. If you have a partner and want to do something special and celebrate, here are some ways you may be able to have your cake and eat it …
Training While Sidelined
One of the hardest things to deal with as an athlete and a patient that suffers from a rare disease is to stop and listen to your body. As athletes, injuries are common and happen all the time, but it is when you need to stop and let your body recover that is the hardest. This can also be extremely …
Ignoring that Negative Voice
When I’m out running I have a lot of time to think. Most often it’s just me and the road. The miles keep ticking and my mind starts racing. I think about everything from current life to future goals. I think about how far I’ve come and where I want to go. I think about crossing finish lines and beating …
Calcium Tip Sheet
When taking calcium with other medications, there are times that you need to know that you are taking them correctly. Cal-EZ has developed a printable Calcium Tip Sheet with a list of Do’s and Don’ts for taking calcium and a list of medications that interact with calcium. And best of all, you can take it with you. We hope you …
Stand Tall in the Fight Against Osteoporosis
Have you ever seen a little old woman all stooped over with age? The curved back that causes a decrease in height? The manifestation of osteoporosis that’s typically called a dowager’s hump? I have. In fact, my great grandmother, my grandmother, and my father were hunchbacked. But getting older doesn’t mean we have to settle for the “typical” aging problems. …
Ever Felt Lost?
Ever felt lost? That feeling where you’re standing completely still, and everything just spins and runs right by you? You try to grab something, anything you could hold on to, and no matter what you do, how far you stretch, your grasp just isn’t strong enough? I feel this way often. I remember my internship junior year of college, and …
I’m No One’s Doormat
Prior to my surgery I thought I had it all. I loved my job. I had 2 amazing kids and a wonderful boyfriend. We had family outings, played board games, and spent the warm summer days at the beach. I woke up and, in an instant, it was all gone. When I got sick I had this weird fantasy that …
Increasing the Absorption of Your Calcium Supplement
Absorption of your calcium supplement is crucial for getting enough calcium into your body for it to work. Anything you eat has to be digested in order to be absorbed. When we eat food, chewing is the first step in absorption because it breaks food into smaller bits, saturates it with saliva which moistens it, and begins the digestion process. You …
Even When You Can’t Hear a Voice
My name is Josh Becker, I was diagnosed with bi-lateral hearing loss when I was 18 months old, and I received my first hearing aid when I was 2 years old. In 1988 at the age of 8, I was also diagnosed with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. Even though my endocrinologist had me on a regimen of diurectics to protect my kidneys, in the …
6 Tips to Keep your New Year’s Exercise Resolution
While Ryan suffers with hypoparathyroidism, the exercise tips listed below are good for anyone! Whether you’re working on a New Year’s resolution or just trying to be more conscious of moving more, let us know what you think about Ryan’s tips, and if you’d like to see more of these in the future. Exercising when you struggle with hypoparathyroidism can …
I’ve Found My Voice
Welcome to my world, I am so excited to have this opportunity to share my life with you. Bear with me and my scatter-brain, I think you’ll enjoy the ride. This is my life, living with Hypoparathyroidism. I was and still am that girl that would do anything for anyone. I did my time in school but knew once I …