Redefining Wellness, One Story at a Time
This space is a personal journey through illness, healing, and the unexpected beauty found in life’s most vulnerable moments. Through heartfelt stories, honest reflections, and real experiences from the bedside, I explore what it truly means to be well — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether you’re facing a diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply searching for connection and understanding, these stories offer comfort, perspective, and hope. Wellness isn’t just a destination — it’s the quiet strength we find along the way.
The Art of Being ILL
Im a seasoned 40 year bedside nurse who created The Art of Being ILL out of a fire to explain a very broken often uncaring health care system. But there is so much more to me than just being a nurse.
I grew up in the 70’s without technology and a sense of freedom as a kid that doesn’t exist anymore. I lived on the Big Island of Hawaii in a shack in an undeveloped area of forest in a shack without running water or electricity for about a year. Exploring an amazing world that no longer exists.
I came home got married ,started nursing had a son and went about my life. I then got divorced and have spent the last 30 years becoming me.
I did the California Aids ride twice. A 500 mile one week bike ride to raise money for aids support and awareness.
I ran 9 half marathons, a full one seemed too much .
I packed up my life a few years ago bought a 30 foot RV and took off to travel the US by myself, towing my car, to see this amazing country for a year.
I spent 7 years living in that RV as a traveling nurse.
I am a mother, a grandmother and an independent often outspoken woman.
I like to garden, work with wood and read. I love my little house and my life. I have spent the last 30 years trying to find me and I think I have.
This blog is truly a passion project born out of years of experience. I hope you can see that.
Thanks for being here, looking into who I am and where – The a
Art of Being ILL comes from.
