• Silly Sherri Productions
  • The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
  • Leave Me a Comment

Sherri Connell

A Lifetime in 27 Years

Sherri Bar
  • HOME
  • A Lifetime in 27 Years
    • A Lifetime in 27 Years
    • My Life Turned Upside Down
    • I Hope My Story Helps Others
  • My Journey
    • My Story
    • My Hubby
    • My Testimony
    • Alumni Magazine
    • Training and Accomplishments
  • Lyme Disease
  • Chemical Injury
  • All in My Head?
  • But You LOOK Good!
  • Inspiration Award
  • My Blogs
    • Fighting for My Life
    • Living My Life
    • Making a Difference
    • Safari Sherri’s Animal World
    • Thoughts of the Day
  • My Videos
You are here: Home / Archives for multiple chemical sensitivities

There’s Someone Who Cares

May 13, 2014 By Sherri

There's Someone Who CaresNo matter where you are,
or how alone you feel.
There’s someone who cares,
and that someone is me!

Photo features my doggie, Snickers.

Copyright 2014 Sherri Connell.
www.SherriConnell.com
All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Thoughts for the Day Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, encouragement, environmental illness, friends and family, helpful tips, hope, invisible disabilities, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, relationships, support

I’m Quitting This Job of Living with Illness and Getting a New One!

April 1, 2014 By Sherri

I Quit This Job of Living with Illness and Pain. SherriConnell.comI have made a big decision today. I am quitting my 24 x 7 job of fighting for my life, which COSTS me money and getting a new job that’s just 40 hours a week that PAYS me money!

I am giving up spending all day every day doing therapies, doctor appointments, spending time in waiting rooms, time getting testing, filing insurance claims, paying doctor bills and preparing special diet foods for a job that pays $85,000 a year!

By next year, we should be able to pay off my bills, move to a new home and start going on some vacations! Wow! Why didn’t I do this many years ago?

*
*
*

April FOOLS! Don’t I wish I had that choice!!

Filed Under: Humor and Fun, Living My Life Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, environmental illness, humor, invisible disabilities, just for fun, lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, personal story

Speaking at the Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Night!

March 2, 2014 By Sherri

The moment you all have been waiting for!! OK maybe not, but here it is! The video of me speaking at the 2013 Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Night. Special thanks to CBS4 Ed Greene for helping me out!

Filed Under: Awareness, Making a Difference Tagged With: awareness, chronic illness and pain, environmental illness, friends and family, invisible disabilities, invisible disabilities association, lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story, relationships, traumatic brain injury, video

Time with Someone Living with Illness and Pain is a Priceless Gift of Love

January 15, 2014 By Sherri

Time is a Priceless Gift of Love! SherriConnell.comSpending time with a loved one living with debilitating illness and pain is a priceless gift of love.

In this Bitstrip, I have my amazing sister in law, Melanie spending time with me!

Sad she lives so far away!

Filed Under: Thoughts for the Day Tagged With: awareness, chronic illness and pain, counting my blessings, environmental illness, family, fragrance-free, friends and family, invisible disabilities, just for fun, multiple chemical sensitivities, relationships

I Miss Working!

December 1, 2013 By Sherri

I Miss Working www.SherriConnell

 

I guess the biggest things I miss about work are being healthy, being able to get up in the morning, shower and dress, getting a lot done, spending time with people, feeling accomplishment and getting a paycheck.

Instead, I am at home, in pain, feeling like I have the flu and my job is to do my physical therapy, try to get my food, make doctor appointments, go to doctor appointments, file insurance claims and try to wash my hair once in a while. Not only am I missing a paycheck, but I get lots of medical bills instead.

Filed Under: Thoughts for the Day Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, disabled, environmental illness, grief, invisible disabilities, loss, lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story

Another Tribulation for My Family

February 19, 2013 By Sherri

2011 Mitchells smIn the past 18 months our family has been through some very serious tribulations. As you may know, I fight for my life daily due to Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic-Late Lyme Disease, Chemical Injury and Brain Injury.

In 2011, our mom, Carole was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is still battling it and we are both unable to care for our daily needs.

Later in 2011, our brother, Jim, unexpectedly passed away. Our family has been in deep mourning for his loss. Jim was one of those men who was always there for his family and friends. He was our champion, protector and I can’t even begin to express what a hole he has left in our lives.

Now, in December 2012, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. At first, they thought removing the tumors and having treatment would be the plans. But after her surgery, there was concern about the lymph nodes. She underwent a mastectomy and had over 20 lymph nodes removed (about half were malignant).

Jim Banquet 2011Everyone who knows my sister, knows she is a very strong and courageous woman! What some may not realize is that she is the glue that keeps everyone together. She is the one who “gets things done” in our family, with her grand-kids, friends and in her business. She is Superwoman!

Like many, with the economy, Deb and her husband’s businesses have been down (she is a graphic artist and he owns a drywall company). However, now they also have the added burdens of medical bills, deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance and expensive out of pocket medications.

Currently, she is now receiving chemo. As many experience, she lost her hair and struggles with debilitating fatigue, which is cutting further into her work and time with family.

I am trying to set up a fundraiser for my sister on Indiegogo. Thank you so much for considering helping me help my sister get through yet another major life challenge for our family.

Filed Under: Grief and Tribulations, Living My Life Tagged With: cancer, Deb Elliott, family, fundraiser, Jim Mitchell, lyme disease, medical bills, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story, traumatic brain injury

Going Fragrance Free When Visiting a Loved One – Video Interview

January 7, 2013 By Sherri

FF for Loved One Interview w Melanie ConnellLiving with Environmental Illness is a challenge that often brings about isolation from public, friends and family.

Many loved ones feel overwhelmed by the endeavor of going fragrance free. They don’t know where to start, where to buy products and often fear making someone ill by missing something. Thus, they often avoid the issue and in turn avoid the person living with chemical intolerance.

As I tell everyone I come in contact with, using fragrance free and natural products is health choice for everyone. In other words, it can be viewed as a positive change for all, rather than a sacrifice just for someone who has an issue.

For those who for whatever reason don’t want to change out all their soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion and hair products, one suggestion I have for people is to keep a Fragrance Free Kit.

Of course, if they want their loved one to visit their home, it will probably need to not have any air fresheners, new carpet, paint, lots of candles, carpet shampoo, stains, harsh cleaners, smokers, regular perfume wearers, etc. On the other hand, if these are not an issues, often there can be some compromise.

First, if the loved one cannot tolerate fragranced laundry products, those will need to be changed long term. These do not wash out easily and linger for many months or longer even when washed multiple times.

Second, we can purchase fragrance free shampoo, soap and deodorant. We keep this under our cabinet and pull them out to use for several showers before visiting with our loved one. We can omit other hair products, lotions, sprays, etc or add fragrance free versions to our kit.


For more information on living with Environmental Illness, the Choose Friendships Over Fragrances Campaign, resources and more: Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign

Do you or a loved one live with debilitating illness or pain? Invisible Disabilities Association

Disclaimer: I am not an expert and this may or may not work for you and your loved one. Please ask your friend or family member what they can or cannot tolerate and what will work for them. Also note that most likely alternatives will not work if there are air fresheners, new carpets, paint, stains, carpet shampoo’s etc. in the home.

Filed Under: Awareness, Making a Difference Tagged With: awareness, chemicals, choose friendships over fragrances, chronic illness and pain, cleaner indoor air campaign, educational, encouragement, environmental illness, family, fragrance free kit, fragrance-free, fragrances, friends and family, helpful tips, invisible disabilities, multiple chemical sensitivities, personal story, relationships, video, visit a loved one

Thankful for 2012 Fragrance Free Holidays with Family

January 6, 2013 By Sherri

I am so thankful for my family who made it possible for me to spend the weekend in their home for Thanksgiving. The weekend was filled with being surrounded by my amazing nephews and I was loving it!!

I enjoyed every moment of the kids running around, playing, wrestling and most of all for their giving and caring hearts! It was incredible to be there with my sister, brother in law, their kids and Wayne’s mom (Karen). I have not been there for a long time, because they had some remodeling done and it took a while for all the new paints and carpets to out-gas.

What’s more, they came and stayed at our house for two days after Christmas. And, we were able to spend Christmas Eve Day with Wayne’s dad, mom (Eloise) and more family. Yay!

Thank you all for switching to fragrance free laundry several many years ago (it takes a while to get out of clothes, so that is IMG_0514something that does need to be changed ahead of time) then using FF shampoo, soap and deodorant before we spent time together.
I hope that more families will see that it is possible and unleash us from isolation and back into the arms of those we love!
Watch my latest video interview, “Going Fragrance-Free When Visiting a Loved One. I interviewed my sister in law, Melanie and her son, Cole! Great tips and suggestions for bringing friends and family back together!

Filed Under: Counting My Blessings, Living My Life Tagged With: awareness, chemicals, chronic illness and pain, counting my blessings, environmental illness, family, fragrance-free, fragrances, friends and family, invisible disabilities, make someone's day, multiple chemical sensitivities, personal story, relationships, thanksgiving, travel, visit a loved one

What to Say, What Not to Say and How to Help People Living with Illness and Pain

October 30, 2012 By Sherri

Ask anyone living with illness or pain and they will probably be eager to share what many people have said to them over the years that they didn’t feel was very encouraging. In fact, many will tell you that they were very hurt by something someone said.

It is true, that some people in this world may say something that is intentionally judgmental or negative. Nonetheless, we believe that in many cases, friends and family really do want to be supportive, but simply don’t know how.

Some people choose to ignore the issue or person; some toss out platitudes like simple fix-its and others share what they feel is the right thing to say with an expectation that it will be met with appreciation for their insight. However, loved ones often they find themselves perplexed or even angry when instead of being elated by the comment, their friend or family member is clearly frustrated by what was said. Sadly, these encounters can lead to the breaking down of communication and the relationship as a whole.

The Invisible Disabilities Association Founder and President, Wayne Connell and his wife, Sherri, know all too well how relationships can suffer or even end. Wayne believes that loved ones need to learn what he calls, “The Language of Invisible Disabilities.” People can learn these communication and support skills by learning what to say and what not to say and why.

When they can discover why a certain comment or suggestion is not well received, they can gain a better understanding of their loved one’s perspective. This allows them to ascertain how and why certain comments may cause their loved one to feel misunderstood, judged or as if their situation, losses and perseverance are being minimized. As a result, they can move on to learning what kinds of interchange and assistance gives hope, encouragement and the strength to keep fighting.

All of these things are addressed in IDA’s book, But You LOOK Good! How to Encourage and Understand People Living with Illness and Pain, written by Wayne and Sherri (all proceeds go to IDA).

This book gives practical tips on what to say, what not to say and how to help. It also gives insight into why, we as humans, often respond the way we do to debilitating conditions that are not readily obvious. It shares how we may protect ourselves and try to protect our loved one with denial. And it explains how a loved one may appear as if they do not care, when in fact they do. Yet, they just find it too painful to acknowledge the situation, because they don’t want to see their loved one suffer. These points not only help friends and family, but they also help those living with illness or pain better grasp where their loved one is coming from as well. These are the first steps to restoring relationships.

The video below is from the Online Seminar, What to Say, What Not to Say and How to Help People Living with Illness and Pain with Wayne and Sherri Connell. It was presented during the 2012 National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week (NICIAW), founded by Lisa Copen. Wayne and Sherri were Special Guests for the NICIAW Seminar, Invisible Disabilities and the Husband as Caregiver in 2010 that was also featured in 2011. IDA has been involved in the NICIAW week since it’s inception in 2002.

This article first appeared on the Invisible Disabilities Association Website.


RELATED ARTICLES

Chronic Illness Tips: 263 ways to more than “just get by.” Available to download for FREE! Tips adapted from IDA’s booklet, But You LOOK Good! into a collaborative project by NICIAW Founder, Lisa Copen.

FREE Chronic Illness Tips eBook with IDA Founder. Chronic Illness Tips: 263 ways to do more than “just get by.” Lisa Copen and Friends. Rest Ministries.

IDA Founder Guest Speaker for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. IDA Press Release. July 15, 2012.

Invisible Disabilities and the Husband as Caregiver. IDA Founder and President, Wayne Connell. Interviewed by Lisa Copen on BlogTalk Radio. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week Online Seminar. September 16, 2010. Featured again September 2011. Listen Here

What to Say, What Not to Say and How to Help with Wayne and Sherri Connell. Online Conference Guest Speakers for the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Founded by Lisa Copen of Rest Ministries. Video.

Filed Under: Awareness, In the Media, Making a Difference Tagged With: accommodations, awareness, chemicals, chronic illness and pain, educational, encouragement, environmental illness, family, friends and family, helpful tips, invisible disabilities, lyme disease, marriage, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story, relationships, traumatic brain injury, video

Rallying Around My Incredible Momma in Her Time of Need

March 1, 2012 By Sherri

Carole and Sherri Mother’s Day 2008

Thank you all for your love, calls, cards, help and concern!! As many of you know, my mom has been battling lung cancer and other complications since January of 2011. She took a bad turn in September of 2011 and again after her treatments in October.

Last week, she was in the hospital again. Her BP skyrocketed and her heart rate was irregular. She collapsed and could not walk unassisted. They did a stress test and did not find the cause. They sent her home. She is still so weak, she can barely go from her bed to the bathroom. Today, she can’t even heat up her already prepared foods.

For the past 6 months I am finding I am being asked some of the same questions about her situation. So, I would like to answer some of them here.

Background: With my own illness and with IDA, as you can imagine, we are pretty well educated in the Medicare, Medicaid, Home Services Industry, Social Services, etc. Also, when I became ill, I had no insurance, no home, no hubby. I got my mom hooked up with Social Services many years ago and have been working with her Social Worker. I have also talked with Medicare, Medicaid and a specialist about a State Waiver for Home Care, Meals Services, Hospitals, Patient Advocates, Nursing and Home Services, Assisted Living, Attorneys and more. When she took a bad turn January of 2011, I stepped it up and then again last September.

TOP QUESTIONS People Have Been Asking:

1)  Can’t she move in with you?

  • This is a very understandable question, as many people take in their parents when it is necessary. However, they usually have two physically able bodies and often one of them stays home or they are retired. However, I can’t even take care of myself and is no way I can take care of her. I am in need of a caregiver myself. I can barely get my food, often go without eating and she has a special diet which it is different than mine. Wayne works full-time, plus most evenings and weekends. He is doing his best to help the two of us and has for many, many years. If she were here, she would still need just as much help as she needs where she is and she is much more comfortable where she is. She has a beautiful view, patio and all on one level that is very warm and comfortable.
  • She actually used to live with us, but she cannot tolerate our basement air and that is where our spare bedroom and bathroom are. Plus, there are stairs to climb, no kitchen down there and it is cold.
  • We have tried to bring her over here temporarily to stay in the living room, but it is too cold and the bed is very uncomfortable. Again, even if she were here, I cannot take care of her, so we would still need to ask for help.

2)    Can’t you get her home care?

  • MediCARE does not pay for Custodial Care (dishes, cooking meals, dressing, errands, shopping, cleaning), which is ONLY available through MediCAID and she does not qualify. Her Social Security is a bit higher than the cutoff, even though it is barely enough to cover her rent.
  • A Home Care Service costs close to $2,200 a month just for part time, in addition to her rent, groceries, car, insurance, medical, etc. My brother (before he passed away), Wayne and I have been helping pay her bills, even though we are struggling ourselves trying to pay our bills, with my high medical costs. This is an extra expense on top of that.

3)   Can’t she stay in a nursing home or assisted living?

  • Medicare will only pay for a month at a nursing facility when medically necessary and going straight from the hospital to the facility. They do not pay long-term. MediCAID does, but she does not qualify.
  • There are no nursing facilities she could tolerate. They are full of horrific chemicals and they don’t make fresh, live foods versus packaged and processed highly allergenic foods. If we send her there, we might as well say our goodbyes.
  • Medicare does not pay for assisted living. MediCAID does, but she does not qualify. Assisted Living is about $3,500-$5,500 a month.

4)    So, what do we do?

  • We are doing our best to provide for my mom’s needs and have been doing so for many years (shopping, groceries, medications, vitamins and supplements, special orders, gas, tires, restaurant meals, visiting, etc). We have also been getting help at home through nurses, volunteers, as well as paying people a little something for their time and reimbursing them for things like groceries and gas for rides.
  • The only home help her insurance or MediCARE pays for is for an RN to come over to check her vitals and give her medicine. She has had that off and on since last Fall.
  • We have recently set her up with Hospice, which also allows a CNA who will come bathe her a few times a week (as long as needed and as long as the RN is medically necessary). While they are there, they can do a FEW things such as warm up a meal, bring her some water, possibly cut up vegetables for a salad. However, they cannot do Custodial Care. The above assistance is not long-term and if/when she improves or plateaus, it will end. Moreover, although they have tried to find a CNA, they cannot find one who is Fragrance Free enough to come to her home. So, she has yet to receive this help.
  • She has been getting help with housekeeping through a neighbor and her daughter and her amazing landlord and friend has been a huge help when she can. We may add addition Caregiving Services from a Home Service Company as needed. This is quite expensive, so it will just be part-part time. They can help her with light duties such as warm up her food, put meals together and do some very light housework.
  • We have gotten meals from a local Nutritional Cooking School and have tried to find other services. I have one more to apply for. The issues have been qualifications, food allergies, nutrition and rural location where my mom lives.

5)  How can people help?

  • People can help by prayers, phone calls, a note in the mail, drop off a meal, bring groceries (for reimbursement), offer a ride and/or stop in for a visit and hugs (not reimbursable – LOL).
  •  I know people are concerned about being fragrance free. If you use FF laundry products, the rest is simple. All you need is a FF shampoo and soap to use before you visit (in most cases). If you want to come often and can’t afford this, we can provide some for you!
  • If you use fragranced detergents, let us know what they are. Some very mild ones she may be able to tolerate in certain conditions.
  • If you cannot be near my mom, you can still give a call, send a card or drop something off.

Thank you all for your love, care and support for my amazing mom! She is an incredible lady and I hope that she can be showered with prayers and hugs in her very difficult time of battling lung cancer and losing her baby boy!!

Filed Under: Grief and Tribulations, Living My Life Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, helping others, invisible disabilities, make someone's day, multiple chemical sensitivities, personal story

« Previous Page
Next Page »

About Me

About Me

I am a singer, dancer, actress, model. ... Oh wait! That was my life BEFORE Lyme Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury and Chemical Injury. Join me on my pursuit to find joy in the midst of loss and pain! The one thing I certainly still have in this life is my humor! I hope you enjoy my blog full of information about living with disabling illness, pain and loss, as well as counting my blessings and just being plain silly!

Social Icons

Subscribe to My Blog

Receive new blog posts via Email.
Add your email below and hit Subscribe.

In the Media with Sherri

In the Media with Sherri

TELEVISION: Tick Bite Changed My Life Forever
PARENT MAGAZINE: Living w/ Invisible Disability
FORBES MAGAZINE: Break Down the Barriers
AUDIO: Living with Late-Chronic Lyme Disease
AUDIO: Marriage with Chronic Illness
AUDIO: Reaching Out to Others
VIDEO: What to Say, Not to Say, How to Help

Tick Bite Changed My Life

Living with Debilitating Illness and Pain

We Can All Make a Difference

Friendship Over Fragrances

MCS with Pluto and Minnie

MCS Can Be Lonely

Snickers the Amazing Alert Dog

Show Someone You Love Them

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Pumpkin Plots Mission Impossible

Pumpkin and Cookie Litter-box Trained

Pumpkin and Cookie Jump and Slide

Additional Favorite Websites

Calvary Chapel Aurora - Ed Taylor
Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign
Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA)
Invisible Disabilities Community
IDA on Facebook
IDA on YouTube
Where Is God Ministries

RSS News from Dr. Mercola

  • The Uncommon Heart Attack That Kills Healthy, Young Women
  • New Study: Parents Opting Out of COVID Shots for Their Kids
  • The WHO Will Have Authority to Mandate Vaccines Globally
  • The Many Health Benefits of Fennel
  • Most Important Medical History Lesson We Must Never Forget

We Can All Make a Difference

Subscribe to My Blog

Receive new blog posts via Email.
Add your email below and hit Subscribe.

Copyright © 2023 | Sherri Connell

Site Designed by WRC2 Media
 

Loading Comments...