healthpuzzle-blog

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I have another blog post out and ready for readers (link in bio) :) I don't blame others for not knowing everything about epilepsy; even I am still learning. After all, no one can possibly know everything about every illness. This is mainly for anyone looking to understand more about a loved one's epilepsy and/or is meant to encourage those with illnesses to feel comfortable with sharing their symptoms, so that others can understand<3 P.S.- I spent a long time trying to draw this elephant, so take it easy on me; I'm proud of it! hehe ;D #HealthPuzzle #FindingTheMissingPieces #PurpleElephant #SassAlert #Seizetheday #epilepsy #epilepsyawareness #epilepsyacceptance #chronicfatigue #chronicillness #seizures https://healthpuzzle-findingthemissingpieces.blogspot.com/2018/01/silence-me-not-epilepsy.html

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I found this flower on one of my walks♡ #Seizetheday #SeeBlogInBio #Healthpuzzle #epilepsyacceptance #chronicfatigue #chronicillness #purple

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It was nice to take a moment just to enjoy Gray' s company, on our trail-ride-turned-walk. ♡ Picture credit to @shaian_6ire (we decided to walk because we weren't feeling great, but it ended up being something I might do more often, just for fun:) ) #SeeBlogInBio #Healthpuzzle # #GraySeizedTheDay #BooandShadowTotheRescue #equineandepilepsy #epilepsy #epileptics #chronicfatigue #b12deficiency #seizures #stilllookingformorediagnoses #seizethemoment #aussies #aussiepuppies

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Yesterday, we all went out for a nice trail ride, walk, then arena work. Though I've been feeling extra fatigued lately, it was really nice to have a day where my body worked for me! Wahoo!:) When those days come, you really gotta go all in and #Seizetheday ;) #blessed #GodIsGood #BooandShadowTotheRescue #GraySeizedTheDay #epilepsyandhorses #epilepsyandequine #epilepsyUS #chronicillness #chronicfatigue #aussies #aussiepuppies #trailrides #B12deficiency #activelifestyle #fitness

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A post shared by Rayna Marie (@rayna.marie.ibarra)

The tough part about chronic illness is that every day is a struggle, but that just makes each day more of a victory! So proud of my horse and our adventures together♡ #Seizetheday #healthpuzzle #equine #equineandepilepsy #seizethemoment #chronicillness #purple #chronicfatigue #dapplegray #thoroughbred #horsetricks #babygraysavestheday

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When in doubt, chair it out. #aussiepuppies #aussies #australianshepherds #seizetheday #seizethemoment #BooToTheRescue

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Eating healthy is always important, and having a chronic illness means that food intake especially affects how you feel throughout the day. Be assured, I'm not going to try to convince you that your illness would be magically healed if only you ate that extra carrot (we've all heard that one before lol). Most of us need specific treatment/prescription from trusted doctors (myself included). However, I will say that trying to stay healthy helps me in that it is one less stressful infliction on my body! With seizures and fatigue being so easily triggered, I can at least try to eat well and stay hydrated (know that this picture represents just a few of the snacks I'm eating tomorrow; that is NOT the main meal; being healthy also means taking in enough calories♡). I've been working to eat well for several years now, and I'll continue to do so. I definitely don't succeed every day, and I often have to mentally restart and remember my goals! What's important is that I'm trying and thinking of ways to add more nutrition and excersize every week! How do you stay healthy? #healthpuzzle #epilepsy #chronicfatigue #health #nutrition #Seizetheday #b12deficiency #excersize #chronicillness

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I am super excited to announce that over 4,500 people have read the six articles in my blog, "Health Puzzle-- Finding the Missing Pieces" (see link in bio), and the numbers are rising daily! This picture is the new theme/logo for my blog; I am truly excited about it because it is a group creation. I've had the idea for the logo for awhile, but had some trouble actually bringing it to life. While at the beach on the first day of the new year (spontaneous trip), I started scribbling something like this (with puzzle pieces that weren't quite. . .er. . . puzzle pieces at all). I was about to erase it from the sand and save the challenge for a different day, when my friends jumped in to work on it with me (Cheyenne drew the awesome puzzle outline; I wrote the letters, Maddie and Dakota helped with the finishing touches, and photo credit goes to Luke!). They didn't have to spend over a half hour of their beach time for me, but they did, and it's that kind of support from others that reminds me that I'm writing for an important purpose! Appreciate those types of people in your life! 💜💜 #healthpuzzle #healthpuzzlefindingthemissingpieces #epilepsy #epilepsyacceptance #seizures #Seizetheday #chronicillness #chronicillnesses #chronicfatigue #believetheundiagnosed

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She was so happy that I let her play in the rain♡ It's so easy to stay inside and avoid a mess, but that would mean missing out on an adventure -- or at least some fun. When chronic illness has you down, have a puppy around;) #Seizetheday #BooToTheRescue #Livealittle #epilepsyawareness #epilepsyacceptance #chronicillness #chronicfatigue #aussies #aussiepuppies

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A post shared by Rayna Marie (@rayna.marie.ibarra)

Boo waits by the dustpan waiting for me to ask her for assistance;) She also picks up other objects when I point to them (unless she's too excited lol). #BooToTheRescue #SeeMoreAboutHowBooHelpsInMyBlog #LinkToBlogInBio #aussiepuppies #aussies #helpfuldog #epilepsy #epilepsyawareness #epilepsyacceptance #fight4urhealth #fightforyourhealth #fightforepilepsy #chronicfatigue #chronicillness #b12deficiency

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I have been super sick last night and today (not sure if it's due to epilepsy, the concussion, or maybe just something I caught). Boo kept putting her face on my feet all day; whether it was because she was worried, or maybe just because she was wanting attention (more likely;P ), it was nice to have the company♡. I'm so relieved to be possibly almost starting to feel a bit better. When someone already has epilepsy and other health issues, any extra strain on the body feels catastrophic (not to mention that being sick is no fun, regardless!). My boyfriend brought me some Sprite, and that has really helped, just getting something in my stomach. I'm thankful that my seizures last night stayed at a safe level of intensity and that I have people and pets to help me and support me through these types of things. Thank goodness I got to enjoy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with some great people right before I got sick! #seeMyBlogInMyBio #blessed #bepostive #positivity #healthpuzzle #fight4urhealth #epilepsyawareness #epilepsyacceptance #epilepsy #chronicfatigue #b12deficiency #stillgettingdiagnosed #aussies #aussiepuppies #BooToTheRescue #equineandepilepsy

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Boo retires to her step when it's time to ponder puppy life.♡ Being sick while having a chronic illness (or 2 or 3 . . . Hehe), I've had lots of pondering time myself this week lol. Honestly, while my Insta posts gave been rather positive, my body has actually been feeling rather terrible this week. I'm not sure what the cause of my being so sick is right now, it might be from the concussion or other events. However, the flu is going around, so I'm writing to encourage anyone with a chronic illness to be SO CAREFUL. Especially with epilepsy, I've had to really give myself lots of couch time this week. Having something else wrong with my body increases how easy it is to have a seizure and/or faint. I of all people definitely understand the desire to tough it out and be busy! But I also understand the importance of letting my body rest as it fights off tons of bad events going on inside it. Take care of yourselves!♡ #seizetheday (or maybe don't seize it if you're sick :P ) #healthpuzzlefindingthemissingpieces #chronicillness #epilepsy #seizures #epilepsyawareness #epilepsyacceptance #chronicfatigue #b12deficiency #BooToTheRescue #aussies #aussiepuppies

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While I was driving, I waved "thank you" to a construction worker. He gave me a polite wave in return and then suddenly started waving much more enthusiastically. I realized Boo had stuck her head out of the window and was apparently much more exciting to say hello to than I was ;) #BooToTheRescue #seizetheday #epilepsyanddogs #epilepsyacceptance #SidenoteThankThoseWhoWorkOutsideAllDayTheyrePeopleToo ♡

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A post shared by Rayna Marie (@rayna.marie.ibarra)

Gray laid down for the 4th time, then Cheyenne's horse laid down ten seconds later:) (You can see the video of her horse laying down at @shaian_6ire ). It was great to be able to get back on after the epilepsy-related fall last week. I did try to be extra careful on him, since I didn't want a second concussion so close to the first one (back-to-back falls aren't good lol, especially with epilepsy). He was pretty naughty at first, so I hopped off for some ground work (so as not to jostle my head too much). Five minutes later, he was asking to lay down:) For me, riding is always worth the risk. I will always try to keep my horse and I safe, of course, but riding will always come with some risks. Days like this, when he lays down and we have such a positive training session, show that the rewards of riding outweigh the risks, for me ♡ So thankful for a horse who keeps me motivated! *For more information about my health and my journey, you can check out the link to my blog, which can be found in my bio:) #epilepsyandequine #epilepsyacceptance #epilepsyawareness #epilepsy #fight4yourhealth #fightforyourhealth #healthpuzzle #checkoutmyblog #epilepsyblog #chronicfatigue #chronicfatigueblog #undiagnosedblog

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Enjoyed the small moments today with my small aussie♡ It looks like Boo may have just a bit of extra fluff on her, so it looks like I have a new eating healthy and exercising buddy;) Don't worry, I waited until she woke up:P #BooToTheRescue #aussiepuppies #aussies #stayingactive

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He picked up his cone victoriously after he laid down with me riding him (see last post for the video). Love this silly guy! #Victorycone #epilepsyandequine