Iraina Caruso

Government shutdown and no SNAP benefits being dispersed during the holiday season is terrifying. No one should go hungry. Food insecurity rates have increased in a country where your health is determined by your zip code. Here is a list of food items currently that are cheaper than normal!

Vulnerability disclaimer: This list is for anyone suffering from incontinence. It’s a list of things that have helped me manage leaving the house. I hope this list helps someone with this embarrassing problem. Please know you aren’t alone, My pudendal nerves were destroyed to try to help my pain. Instead, it ruined my life. I had catastrophic outcomes from the procedure. My entire pelvic floor was denervated 100% leaving me with no function. It left me with no reflexes, no sensation, no bladder function, no bowel function, no sexual function, and it increased my pain. I didn’t leave the house for 18 months. I also stopped eating immediately and lost 30% of my body weight. Fecal incontinence at the level I experienced was something people do not understand. I still carry a backpack full of supplies and a change of clothes.

Let’s talk prevention and symptom management of cold and flu season! The cold and the flu are caused by viruses, which are not treated with antibiotics but rather supportive care. We call it “cold and flu season”, but this time of the years also comes with RSV, whooping cough, pneumonia, parainfluenza, COVID, and just about every other virus that rears its head during the colder months. There are certain things to consider when searching for OTC relief, which are important to note. Is your child over 12 months old? Do you have high blood pressure? Are you diabetic? Let’s chat about it!

Colder weather is here! That means dryer skin. I am in my 30’s and while I don’t have mature skin yet— it’s headed my way! I have very sensitive skin with a skin barrier that is physiologically troubled. I have atopic dermatitis (eczema), perioral dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, mast cell skin reactions, and more! These are products that I am loving for my skin!

I am 5’ 1.4” tall. I have little legs. These are some clothes that fit well for someone my height!

These are some suggestions for managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa!

Beauty items, med/pain items, and just things that I actually use and recommend in my every day life.

My usual purchases from Walmart and also some infrequent buys that are worth it (for me at least).

My usuals :)

My go-to self-care products that help me feel my best, even on tough days.

I developed PN immediately after my third endometriosis excision. These are things that I have used or still use to help me. Plus some awareness merch!

They put a 7 Brew in two years ago. Now, I recreate things at home occasionally. I also love getting flavored waters there also. These are some of the things I buy to do that. I also love iced coffee from Dunkin, Starbucks, local shops too.

I am disabled. I’m not Lazy; I’m Sick. I never understood how inaccessible and ableist the word is until I got sick, couldn’t stand up to take showers, lost the ability to a walk, needed a handicap placard, asked for a mobility aid, needed extra accommodations, etc. I wish this could be an exhaustive list, but it would be never ending.

Having foot/ankle/leg surgery soon? These are items that I found helpful!

I was dx 10 years ago. Stage III. Three surgeries. Last excision led to complications, snowball events, and now I’m disabled. Short version is endometriosis is the reason. Please refer to Nancy’s Nook for accurate endometriosis education. Nook surgeon’s are based on patient opinions however and not necessarily skillset. Please be mindful of that. Choose a high/volume surgeon who did an AAGL MIGS fellowship.

Promo codes, referral links, free shit!

TV and movie recommendations! ( I don’t have everything, but I do have Netflix, Max, Hulu, Peacock, Disney+, Prime Video, Freevee, and Paramount+)

Some yoga items that I use! I’ve been doing yoga for over 15 years. I have abandoned and come back to it many times, sometimes years. I was going to three classes a week before I got sick. My yoga looks very different than before. It’s mostly gentle stretches, like PT. I require a lot of help. A lot of modifications. I mostly stay on the floor. My body ate through my muscle, so it’s a very slow process to be able to do things again.

Apps I use to make and save money!