Send us Fan Mail

Anxiety today, flare tomorrow?

Have you ever had a day when you are suddenly snappy, overwhelmed, or hopelessly down for no clear reason, only to end up in a massive physical flare 24 hours later? Is your Oura ring screaming at you to slow down, take a pause, and rest today? You and your ring are not being dramatic, and you are not losing your mind.

In this short episode of Broken, But Still Breathing, we are framing mood shifts as your body's early warning system. Learn how pro-inflammatory cytokines cross the blood-brain barrier before physical pain spikes, why your irritability might just save you from a major crash, and how to use your "salty brain" to take proactive care.

We are not doctors, just two chronic illness patients sharing our perspective, lived experience, and the ins and outs of navigating this journey.

Connect with Jen: https://www.instagram.com/jenthegracefuladvocate/?__pwa=1

Connect with Stasha: https://www.instagram.com/tenaciousinme/?__pwa=1

Join the Rheumatoid Arthritis Connect Group: connectgroups.arthritis.org/groups/rheumatoid-arthritis

Use code Gracefully_Jen for 20% off compression gloves with her affiliate link:

https://www.graceandable.com/GRACEFULLY_JEN

Send us Fan Mail

Surviving Back-to-School Germs

Jen shares a practical, compassionate survival guide for parents facing the seasonal wave of school germs, especially when chronic illness makes every cold feel much bigger. This episode focuses on protecting your household without trying to create a bubble, and on letting go of guilt when sickness inevitably comes home. In this episode:

• Jen frames back-to-school season as the annual “petri dish” cycle that many families know too well, especially those managing chronic illness.

• She explains why a standard school cold can become a major setback for a parent with a vulnerable immune system.

• She recommends an entryway “decontamination zone” with shoes off at the door, immediate handwashing, and keeping school-touch surfaces from spreading germs through the house.

• She suggests a clothing swap after school in high-flare or immune-compromised situations, with school clothes going straight into the hamper.

• She emphasizes practical kid-friendly handwashing routines, including making it fun and aiming for a full 20 seconds.

• She shares a “snugs over scrubs” approach when a child is sick—prioritize cuddles, hydration, and rest over household perfection.

• She offers low-pressure ways to comfort a sick child while protecting yourself, including masks or a blanket barrier.

• She encourages parents not to push themselves to 0% when caring for a sick kid, and to rest alongside them when possible.

• She addresses the emotional side of illness at home, reminding listeners that getting sick is not a parenting failure.

• She closes with preparedness advice: stock teas, emergency medications, disinfecting wipes, and freezer pops before illness starts.

We are not doctors, just two chronic illness patients sharing our perspective, lived experience, and the ins and outs of navigating this journey.

Connect with Jen: https://www.instagram.com/jenthegracefuladvocate/?__pwa=1

Connect with Stasha: https://www.instagram.com/tenaciousinme/?__pwa=1

Join the Rheumatoid Arthritis Connect Group: connectgroups.arthritis.org/groups/rheumatoid-arthritis

Use code Gracefully_Jen for 20% off compression gloves with her affiliate link:

https://www.graceandable.com/GRACEFULLY_JEN

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Broken But Still Breathing, Jen dives into the chaos of back-to-school season through the lens of chronic illness parenting. With humor, honesty, and plenty of practical advice, she shares how to protect your energy, delegate what you can, and build a school-year survival plan that actually works when your body doesn’t cooperate.

From setting radical priorities and creating a family “launch pad” by the door to stocking a flare-up survival kit and arranging a carpool tag team, this conversation is packed with realistic strategies for getting through the school year without burning out. Jenni also speaks directly to the quiet guilt many parents carry, offering a compassionate reminder that your kids don’t need perfection — they need you.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to do it all while managing your health, this episode will leave you feeling understood, encouraged, and a little more prepared for the road ahead.

Help support Stasha and Micah: https://gofund.me/4bb9665d7

We are not doctors, just two chronic illness patients sharing our perspective, lived experience, and the ins and outs of navigating this journey.

Connect with Jen: https://www.instagram.com/jenthegracefuladvocate/?__pwa=1

Connect with Stasha: https://www.instagram.com/tenaciousinme/?__pwa=1

Join the Rheumatoid Arthritis Connect Group: connectgroups.arthritis.org/groups/rheumatoid-arthritis

Use code Gracefully_Jen for 20% off compression gloves with her affiliate link:

https://www.graceandable.com/GRACEFULLY_JEN