Welcome to my blog! It’s great to have you here.
Below, you’ll find links to my latest posts. I hope you’ll take a moment to check them out and let me know what you think. And if you enjoy what you read, be sure to subscribe to my blog so you never miss an update. Thank you for stopping by, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon!
My Latest Posts
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Proof I Wasn’t Crazy, and Everything That Followed
I’ve thought about what to write for my surgery update for a while now. My original plan was to share my pre-surgery thoughts, go into surgery, and post an update a few days later. I thought the surgery would give me the answers I had been waiting for, and that relief would finally settle into…
My Thoughts on My Upcoming Surgery
The closer I get to my operative laparoscopy, the more everything feels painfully real. I’ve had small procedures before, like getting my wisdom teeth out, and my D&C earlier this year, but this is my first actual surgery with incisions, healing time, and a recovery that will swallow my entire holiday season. It feels overwhelming…
The Search History of a Girl Who Needs Answers
August 2024 8:02 AM: Severe stomach pain causes 9:45 AM: Rare stomach pain causes 11:10 AM: Functional dyspepsia and blood 12:30 PM: Bland food sensitivity 2:15 PM: Prescription anti-nausea meds 3:25 PM: Prolonged standing FND seizures 4:55 PM: Dysautonomia explanation 6:00 PM: FND and arthritis symptoms 7:10 PM: Functional seizures and blood pressure 8:45 PM:…
My Endometriosis Journey: A Battle with Pain and the Road to Diagnosis
It all started when I was 14, and my first period hit me like a freight train. My periods were extremely heavy from the very beginning. I remember going through tampons every hour, and by the end of each cycle, I had finished an entire box. I would try to go about my day at…
The Email I Regret Not Sending
7 years ago I was referred to a specialist in Ottawa to attempt to find an answer to my back pain. Pain that was caused by a terrible accident at a gymnastics competition in Buffalo in May of 2017. After 5 years of specialists and scans the cause of my anguish was finally found. An…
A Rollercoaster Ride of Updates and Resilience
Hello there! It’s been a while since we caught up, and there have been both positive and negative health experiences lately. Let’s dive in, starting with the good news: A recent MRI indicated that the tumor in my spine hasn’t significantly grown, which is a relief as it’s unlikely to be malignant. This news lightened…
The Pain of Invisible Illness: Living with Misunderstanding and Disbelief
For as long as I can remember, I have dealt with an invisible illness or disability. When I was a child, I had severe asthma. Some days, breathing became incredibly difficult, forcing me to sit out during gym class. Other kids complained that it was unfair because I appeared fine. Little did I know that…
Chronically Challenged: The Struggles of Traveling with a Chronic Illness
Traveling can be a thrilling and fulfilling experience, but for those with chronic illnesses, it can also be a significant challenge. Long travel days, navigating unfamiliar airports and being away from familiar healthcare can take a significant toll on someone’s well-being. One of the biggest challenges of traveling with a chronic illness is long travel…
Words of Wisdom: What People with Chronic Illness Wish They Knew When First Diagnosed
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness can be overwhelming and life-changing, and it’s not uncommon to feel lost, scared, and uncertain about what the future holds. Many individuals living with chronic illness reflect back on their diagnosis and wish they had known certain things to better prepare themselves for the road ahead. In today’s post,…
The Impact of Chronic Illness on Mental Health: Coping with Depression and Anxiety
Living with a chronic illness can have a profound impact on a person’s mental health. Chronic illnesses are long-term conditions that require ongoing medical attention and often involve a range of physical symptoms. However, the psychological effects of chronic illness can be just as challenging to manage. Chronic illness can cause a wide range of…
Finding Support and Connection: The Importance of Building a Chronic Illness Community
Living with a chronic illness can be an incredibly isolating experience. From navigating healthcare systems to managing symptoms, it can be challenging to find people who truly understand what you’re going through. That’s why building a chronic illness community can be incredibly valuable. Here are some reasons why finding support and connection is so important,…
The Importance of Practicing Self-Care When Dealing with Chronic Illness: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
Living with a chronic illness can be an incredibly challenging experience. Managing the physical symptoms, navigating healthcare systems, and dealing with emotional and psychological impacts can all take a toll on your overall wellbeing. That’s why practicing self-care is absolutely essential for those dealing with chronic illness. Self-care is all about taking proactive steps to…
Self Advocacy in Medical Care
Advocating for yourself when seeking medical help can be a daunting task, but it is essential to ensure that you receive the best possible care and treatment. Here are some tips to help you become your own best advocate: Remember, you are your own best advocate when it comes to seeking medical help. By being…
Managing Asthma during the Covid-19 Pandemic
How it began As someone who was born with asthma, I have had to navigate life with a chronic respiratory condition that affects my ability to breathe. Asthma is a condition in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrow, making it difficult to breathe. This can result in symptoms such as wheezing,…
Navigating life with Chronic Gastritis and IBS
What is chronic gastritis? Chronic gastritis is a long-term inflammation of the stomach lining. It is a condition that can develop over time and can cause a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after eating. Chronic gastritis can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacterial…
Life with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
What is POTS? POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, is a type of dysautonomia that affects the body’s autonomic nervous system. This condition is characterized by a sudden increase in heart rate and a drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a sitting or lying down position. POTS can cause a range…
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Chronically Thriving 