Sjögrens Disease is one of the most misunderstood diseases. We suffer in silence because the illness is invisible to the eye, but painfully present in the body. I always have the dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, dry everything and now I’m really getting hit lately with the nerve pain, joint pain and all theContinue reading “Asking for Help”
Author Archives: brenszenjourney
“How I Finally Got Diagnosed With Sjögren’s — After Feeling Lost for So Long”
Before my diagnosis, I felt like I was living in someone else’s body. My eyes were constantly dry and irritated. My mouth felt like cotton. I was exhausted in a way that didn’t make sense. I’d wake up tired, go through the day tired, and crash the moment I got home. I kept thinking, whatContinue reading ““How I Finally Got Diagnosed With Sjögren’s — After Feeling Lost for So Long””
My Original Welcome Post
My original welcome post! – I am Brenda! I just turned 60 in September 2024 – and I was recently diagnosed with Sjögren’s Disease. I decided to go on a journey to finding peace, forgiveness, happiness and healing in this new age, as I learn more about this disease, from the difficulties of being diagnosed, toContinue reading “My Original Welcome Post”
Embrace Creativity: Painting as a Form of Mindfulness
One of my lessons was to keep on learning, working that mind. My husband has been incredible at doing what he can to keep my mind young. Just about every evening we do a puzzle, play a silly game, have some crazy creative date nights or paint. My husband is a great painter and hadContinue reading “Embrace Creativity: Painting as a Form of Mindfulness”
Today is World Sjögren’s Day 7/23/2025
Happy New Years
What have I been doing in 2024! It is so hard to believe that it has been a year since I posted anything. I plan to do better this year. Posting keeps me on my toes to read and learn more about myself. This past year we welcomed a third grandchild. I did a bitContinue reading “Happy New Years”
Turning 60–what I’ve learned in the past six decades so far: #5 Believe in Yourself!
Most of my life has been spent worrying about what other people thought of me, looking for approval, not feeling good enough, not pretty enough and feeling like I have not succeeded in anything. I think I’m a pretty friendly person. I always try and make a conscious effort to think about what I say,Continue reading “Turning 60–what I’ve learned in the past six decades so far: #5 Believe in Yourself!”
Dry, Dry, Dry
One of the things that I have been struggling with is dryness. Dry eyes and dry mouth are the most common symptoms of Sjögren’s. With me it has been dry eyes, mouth and throat, skin, hair, nasal passages and a persistent dry cough, just dry everything. If I do not apply lotion a couple timesContinue reading “Dry, Dry, Dry”
Turning 60–what I’ve learned in the past six decades so far: #4 Make New Friends!
It is important to have friends – especially as we age! It turns out that good healthy friendships contribute to good physical health. Friends can decrease your risk of health issues like diabetes, heart attack and stroke. Friendships decrease the feelings of loneliness, which can shorten your lifespan (verywellmind.com). Since moving from the big cityContinue reading “Turning 60–what I’ve learned in the past six decades so far: #4 Make New Friends!”
Turning 60–what I’ve learned in the past six decades so far: #3 Laugh as much as you can!
Laugh, laugh and laugh some more until your cheeks hurt! I am so fortunate to have a husband who is a goof ball – we laugh about something every day. I also have four kids who are just as goofy. I know I can call any one of my kids and they will have meContinue reading “Turning 60–what I’ve learned in the past six decades so far: #3 Laugh as much as you can!”