Chronically Sexy

Scars run deep. Physical scars make emotional scars that much more difficult to heal.

I long for sexual intimacy, though I do not long for the explanation that must now accompany any act of such intimacy.

Posted: 5/31/2011 in Chronically Sexy

I’ll come clean at the start of this—I’m a babe with a kink in her step in more ways than one. Before I started to get ill, I was pretty feisty. I had a libido that would equal a teenager’s and I liked to try new stuff. My husband and I have a fairly unequal relationship in the bedroom—he is well and truly in charge. In fact this is one of the things that made him so attractive in the first place. We like a bit of kink.

Fast forward to now, and I’m in pain pretty much all the time. Given how important this side of things always has been to us, when it became apparent that this wasn’t going to go away we decided that we needed to make some adjustments so that we can still enjoy getting our kink on, because without it I (and he!) get grumpy and frustrated. I hated that along with all the other stuff that this part of me was being taken away and I didn’t want to let it go.

Posted: 5/31/2011 in Chronically Sexy  |  Also posted in: Coping

When I saw the topic for today’s blog carnival, I knew I wanted to take part in it.  I am not ashamed of my sex life, but I am married and my husband was horrified at the thought of sharing our sex life with the people we know who read my blog, i.e., my friends, his friends, his parents!! You never know who might be stopping by on any given day.

So Ms. ChronicBabe was gracious enough to let me post this directly on her blog.  I will not post this on my blog, there will be no link on my blog to the carnival, but here I am and you can always feel free to drop on by! That satisfied my husband's concern for privacy.

Posted: 5/31/2011 in Chronically Sexy

On the 10th day of the WEGO Health (they're @wegohealth on Twitter) Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge (HAWMC)*, in which they offer a blog prompt per day for a month, your humble Editrix has decided to do something completely insane and talk about sex. After all, the prompt is all about the Post Secret community, wherein people reveal secrets about themselves. (Well, usually they get to remain secret about their identity, and here I am just blabbing and YOU ALL KNOW WHO I AM.)

O. My. Gosh. And by O, I mean, you know, O. The Big O. 

Posted: 4/10/2011 in Chronically Sexy

In this third challenge for WEGO Health's (they're @wegohealth on Twitter) Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge (HAWMC)*, in which they offer a blog prompt per day for a month, organizers asked us bloggers to act as experts for a day. Well, as expert as you can be if you're answering questions on Yahoo Answers. Here's the challenge:

Yahoo Answers Post: Pretend you are writing a question about your condition - it can be as silly/humorous as you want. Now answer it. (Remember: Your answer can be just as silly.)

Posted: 4/3/2011 in Chronically Sexy  |  Also posted in: Ask the Babe

Admit it: There are times you don't feel super-sexy. Sometimes I don't either. Who can blame us, with chronic illness interrupting our days and nights with its yucky symptoms? It's impossible to feel like a sex kitten every single day, but there are a few things you can do to boost your vibe. No matter how sick you are, there is ALWAYS something you can do to feel more Babe than Chronic. Here are four ideas to get you started!

Posted: 5/28/2009 in Chronically Sexy  |  Also posted in: Cool Tools

My recent piece on how I think chronic illness can be sexy has drawn some interesting comments...including one from Rosalind Joffe, who inspired me to write the piece in the first place. Here's her response.

Posted: 6/16/2008 in Chronically Sexy

One of my favorite enewsletters comes from Rosalind Joffe, whose site Working with Chronic Illness has a ton of great resources. Today she posted a new article that touched a nerve. In "Chronic Illness Isn't Sexy," she talks about the banality of managing chronic illness and how difficult it is to help people understand what your life as a ChronicBabe is like...or to even draw their attention to the seriousness of it, especially if it's an "invisible illness."

But I think chronic illness CAN be "sexy." In my public relations work, we look for what's sexy in a topic—what's the nugget that sells the story, the tease that draws people in for a deeper look. Here are a few examples from my life, and from some of yours.

Posted: 6/5/2008 in Chronically Sexy  |  Also posted in: Coping

Sex expert Searah Deysach teaches you how to know what lubricants are right for your body, whether you have a chronic illness, chemical sensitivity or other issues. She reviews the qualities of water-based (with and without glycerin) products, silicone-based options, and oil-based lubricants. If you're a ChronicBabe who wants to have a fulfilling—and healthy—sex life, read on!

Posted: 1/5/2008 in Chronically Sexy

Even though I've been thinking about writing this post for a few weeks now, I can't keep the blush from creeping up my face. But I'm a twenty something, engaged woman, for crying out loud. There is a sexual element to my relationship. There is also a diabetes element to my sex. Here's how I handle my "equipment" in my relationship.

Posted: 10/31/2007 in Chronically Sexy  |  Also posted in: Relationships

Sex toys can be a wonderful addition to the erotic life of almost anyone. They can be used as just fun toys, as tools to explore your sexuality, or even as "helping hands" to those with limited mobility or strength. You can get toys made out of a wide variety of different materials, some of which are safer for your body than others, especially if you are sensitive to latex or other chemicals. It can all get very confusing, so Early to Bed owner Searah Deysach breaks it down for you, to help you make informed choices when picking out something sexy for yourself or your lover.

Posted: 7/26/2007 in Chronically Sexy

Welcome to the inaugural Chronically Sexy, our new column in which the fabulous and knowledgable Searah Deysach answers your questions about sex and sensuality for ChronicBabes. This month: Can a Babe with chronic hand pain still use her favorite toys?

Posted: 7/10/2006 in Chronically Sexy

About once a month, Searah will answer your questions about sex and sensuality for Chronic Babes. Searah is the celebrated owner of Early to Bed, a Chicago-based store and web site that sells sex toys and erotic gifts to people of all genders and orientations. She hosts frequent educational workshops, recently produced her first adult film, writes an advice column for Punk Planet, and her store has been voted Chicago's "best sex shop." Like Jenni the Editrix, she's also a member of The Real Hot 100. The girl knows sexy! And she's here to answer your questions.

Posted: 6/27/2006 in Chronically Sexy

Babe Isobel thought her new medication would be treating a problem. She had no idea it would also create a new one. Here's the story of what happened, and what she learned about medications and sexuality.

Posted: 5/2/2006 in Chronically Sexy  |  Also posted in: Relationships

Babe Iris is wired with a Holter monitor - a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) machine - and to get completely accurate results, the 24-hour test should include, shall we say, exercise. It's time to call the boyfriend and see just how nimble he can be. What happens when intimacy includes wires and cables and batteries, oh my? Iris gives us the inside scoop.

Posted: 4/18/2006 in Chronically Sexy  |  Also posted in: Relationships, Inspiration

If you're not doing your kegels, you're missing out on one of the best exercises a girl can do. They're fast, they're free, and you don't need a workout outfit or a gym membership to reap their benefits!

Posted: 6/1/2005 in Chronically Sexy

Let's talk about sex, baby! We know this isn't the easiest subject to address and yet it is such an important part of our healthy romantic relationships.  We asked you to share the reality of trying to have a healthy sex life when you live with chronic illness: the challenges, successes and creative workarounds! We are honored that so many of you spoke up and told your real-life stories.

Posted: 5/31/2011 in Blog Carnival  |  Also posted in: Chronically Sexy

About four years ago, I woke up one morning with the worst itch in my nether region and boobs. I tried everything to avoid going to the doctor, but finally, there came a point when I could no longer ignore the problem. I was diagnosed with vaginal eczema, a.k.a. Fungal Jungle.

Posted: 6/20/2005 in Coping  |  Also posted in: Chronically Sexy