pain

Six months after the Heartastrophe

Six months ago I woke up in the Cardiac ICU having no knowledge of what happened. No knowledge of how close to death I was. All I knew was the excruciating and agonizing pain I was in. The screaming, the struggle to breathe. That’s all I knew at the moment. My mom took my hand in hers and explained the surgery didn’t go to plan. That I suffered a catastrophic injury that nearly cost me my life.

Since then, I’ve faced so many complications. So much lingering pain. Still lingering issues with my lungs that require 3 inhalers a day. Complications that have caused my hernia repair to fail, and thus my parastomal hernia to reoccur. Complications of a wound dehiscence. An incision infection that was initially dismissed by the Nurse Practitioner at the surgeon’s office. “It’s just a surface infection”, is what i was told. Complications and actions that have led to trauma. There’s days the pain around my incision is a 9, there’s days it’s a 4. It’s always a dull ache though.

I can barely walk these days. I can barely last 10 minutes outside in the heat and humidity due to my lungs. Bibasilar Atelectasis..still at 6 months post op. The fatigue is awful. Simple tasks leave me utterly exhausted. Is this my new normal? What quality of life do I have?

I had to go to a local wound care clinic to get help for my incision to close back up. Daily dressing changes with packing. Weekly Wound Care appointments for debridement. Do you know how that feels? It’s not pleasant. Having to use special packing and dressings to prompt healing.

I’ve also received no accountability from the cardiology office. As it turns out, someone had shut off the home monitoring for my pacemaker March 2023. Had it been on, and monitoring my device, we could have caught the malfunctioning of the device when it began in August 2023. Instead it wasn’t caught until January 23, 2024. However, it was not known the leads had frayed, and the risk was tremendous.

See, Biotronik has a monitoring alert system for their devices. If the home monitoring isn’t connected, the Doctor’s office is notified by Biotronik. So to ask, who ignored the alerts? How was it missed that my home monitoring was not connected, thus not transmitting data from my device nightly. I’ve asked this many times. I’ve used my voice not only as a patient, but an advocate to get answers. I’ve received none.

I’ve read the operative report so many times. I’ve learned what I could about what happened. Maybe that’s the PTSD. Though there’s still so much I don’t know. One big question, how was i stable when pulled from Bypass in the OR, but on a ventilator less than an hour later? WHAT HAPPENED? I’ve never gotten an answer regarding that. There’s only one note in my paperwork about it. Absolutely nothing else.

I’ve tried to transfer care. I’ve tried to find a cardiac team. Unfortunately I’m in a situation where I need a specialized team. This requires travel. Which is what I’ll do. I want a better quality of life.

Six months of wanting answers. Six months of trying to piece together what happened. Six months of trying to process and heal the trauma. I think that may be the hardest part. The flashbacks, the memories of being in such agonizing pain not knowing what is going on. The anger, fear, anxiety, sadness at times is so overwhelming.

I get frustrated. I’ve built my name in advocacy. I’ve built my own voice, and have advocated for myself and my community. Yet in this I feel voiceless. I’m not though. Maybe they wish I were, but I truly feel there needs to be accountability for this situation. Accountability for the abysmal post op care, the astronomical medical costs I’ve incurred due to the complications. The medical costs have affected me tremendously. Complications that may be permanent.

Six months of wondering how this happened. We need transparency in healthcare. We need accountability. This is a situation that possibly could have been prevented if the malfunctioning lead was caught sooner. I refuse to just let this go. I refuse to be voiceless any longer.

Heart-astrophe

On February 9th I was scheduled for a pacemaker replacement surgery at UF Health Heart & Vascular Institute. An overnight stay I was told. I’d be home Saturday. Oh how I wish that’s how it went.

Prior we had discussions over which pacemaker to be put in. It was decided to use a BIOTRONIK Edora. I was fine with that as I needed the CLS feature. I’d had a Biotronik Evia for 14 years. I had faith in Biotronik.

I arrived at the hospital. We went over everything. I gave my mom a hug and I was wheeled back to the OR. Ready for my new pacemaker. I woke up February 11, 2024 in Cardiac ICU in agonizing pain, confused and scared. I had no idea what happened. No idea why I was in ICU, no idea where the previous few days went. I have flashes of memories from those days, but it’s foggy.

My mom was there, at my bedside. Apparently she hadn’t left for days. I remember looking at her, confused about where I was. She took my hand and explained there was a complication and I was in the Cardiac ICU. It turns out it wasn’t a small complication. While trying to remove my Atrial Lead, it fragmented and frayed. I had a sudden drop in BP, and my cardiothoracic surgeon made the decision to perform an emergency sternotomy. Upon opening my chest It was discovered my RA/SVC had a complete tear. I was put on CPB to repair the tea, which they did successfully. I was removed from bypass. However I had to stay on the vent, as my lungs had to be deflated to access my heart and repair it.

To say I was confused and scared is an understatement. It took me days to fully comprehend what happened. The cardiologist and cardiovascular surgeon explained it to me. My mom explained it. The ARNP explained it. Yet I was struggling to comprehend and process it. My priority was my son. My son’s well being, HIS mental health with this. Also my mom’s. As a parent I can’t imagine the fear she went through. The sight of me laying in the hospital bed hooked to machines to help me breathe. She snapped a picture of what she saw when she first walked into my room in the ICU. She wouldn’t show it to me until weeks later. It was heartbreaking to see. Each day in the hospital I was told my restrictions. I can’t use my arms much, I have to protect my lungs and chest. I can’t drive for 4-6 weeks.

Heading Home, Finally

Finally I was discharged after 8 long days in the hospital. I’ve spent the last 14 weeks healing, processing and learning what happened and what’s next. It turns out they did not put the new pacemaker in. I also still have a fragment left in my ventricle chamber. I have a lot of questions for my team, though I’ve honestly lost trust and faith.

My dad spent the first 3 days with me when I got home. He helped with meals, making sure I ate, took my meds. And helped with Mathew. I’m so grateful he came up to help, and give my mom that small break. Once he went home my mom then traveled back and forth from where I live and where she lives t help me shower, do laundry and grocery shopping. Several nights a week, all while working 9 hours during the day. I’m so immensely grateful to both of my parents.

You see the post op care from the cardio team was awful. They dismissed an infection, dismissed breathing issues. Dismissing my concerns. The surgeon actually laughed at me when I asked when the remaining fragment would be removed. His reply, “What so I can knick your heart again?”. That’s not funny. To learn I CODED on the table. To learn, I almost didn’t survive. The nonchalance has been too much for me.

Through all the recovery I had my birthday in March. Turning 38 was a big celebration this year. I also celebrated my son’s 15th birthday in April. Small celebrations through this hellish recovery.

Finding out More Information

We found out someone at the cardiologist’s office shut off the home monitoring in March 2023. Biotronik sends alerts if data isn’t transmitting. This was ignored. Thus NO DATA was transmitted from March 2023 forward. This means when my atrial lead started malfunctioning, it wasn’t caught. This means when my low battery alert should have happened, it didn’t. Someone didn’t uphold their job. They didn’t maintain cardiac care. This is a scary thing. This has led me to have trust issues with that office. Honestly, rightfully so I believe.

I’m still dealing with fluid in my lungs. Still dealing with overwhelming fatigue. PVCs, low heart rates, palpitations. My portacath was also broken during the surgery and had to be removed.

A recent 48 hour Holter monitor showed 86 bradycardia episodes in 48 hours. Thousands of SvT episodes, PVCs.

A recent TTE Echo showed an enlarged left ventricle, left systolic function of 55%, left atrial enlargement, IVC Dilated, RA Pressure high, Regurgitation of the following: Mitral, Pulmonic, Tricuspid. -None of these findings were on my 2019 Echo. Were some of these the result of the surgery in February? Are these concerns? I’m still waiting on answers.

What’s Next?

I’ve decided to seek consultations from previous electrophysiologists that I trust. Consults with top hospitals and cardiothoracic teams in the country. Thus I can make a fully informed decision on what comes next.

Many know I’m a fierce patient advocate. I am vocal on healthcare change, holding physicians accountable for things. This time i’m conflicted. I praise them for recognizing there was a complication and reacting so quickly that they saved my life. My cardiac surgical team did amazing work. I’m told the repair time was amazing. My surgeon caught the sign something was wrong and immediately made hard decisions. I truly feel he is why I’m still here. Though the post op, after discharge care has been horrible. I can’t tell if that’s due to the surgeon or his office continuing to schedule me with the ARNP.

We sometimes focus so much on what physicians do wrong, we don’t acknowledge the good they do. We should. We should show the good and the bad. I’m grateful for his quick reaction. I’m thankful for his skill in cardiothoracics. I’m grateful for such an amazing surgical team. What I’m not grateful for is unanswered questions, anxiety and trauma from this.

My closest friends have been such blessings through this. Being there for me via text, calls. Understanding my mental health and just listening when I was struggling to comprehend this all. Aly & Chelsea, from the bottom of my heart I’m so grateful to you, and love you both so much.

I am still emotionally processing having open heart surgery. I’m processing what happened. This has left me emotionally drained. This has left me with anxiety, and trauma. This has been such a traumatic experience. This has also impacted me tremendously financially. Having to travel out of state for care is not easy financially. However I must get cardiac care. I have started a shop to help with costs, also any donations would be so immensely appreciated.

I’m grateful for my team. For their quick actions saved me. Praising my surgical team. Thankful for my nurses and my aides that I had in-patient. We often don’t acknowledge the good. Maybe it’s time we do. We can celebrate the good, while also advocating for transparency and accountability.

It was a wild 2023!

Hello my lovelies! I know it’s been a while since I’ve last written. Last year I had so much going on and I had to take time for self care, and family.

In March 2023 I relocated to a better school district for my son. It was a huge adjustment. New city, new school. Not knowing anyone over here. I did however find a beautiful place by the water that played live music on the weekends. That quickly became my peaceful spot. I mean water, live music and yummy food trucks! one local singer quickly became my favorite. He was very reminiscent of Chris Stapleton.

You see, in June 2023 I went to visit my dad for Father’s Day. That weekend I received heartbreaking news. He had cancer. That he had emergency surgery in January to remove a large tumor on his spine that was causing severe issues. Learning this was such a huge blow to our family. He started radiation in August, and is recovering the best he can. Our family has rallied around him and his wife with our love and support.

My son started high school in August. We relocated last year to a better school district, as the high school had higher level academic classes, which he needed. It was a bittersweet moment his first day of school. I remember when he was just a baby, and now here he is in high school!! Where did the time go?! As nervous as I was, I was excited to see how he grew as a person and how he adjusted to a new city and new school. He has THRIVED! Let me tell you. This kiddo is in all honors classes, and has maintained a 4.0 through the year. He has studied, done amazingly well on his exams, and even made it to states with his robotics team! That’s two years in a row for him!!! I am so so immensely proud of him. Watching him grow and adapt has made this momma so happy.

While all this was happening I was working on self care and my mental health. I was also preparing for a major abdominal surgery in December. December 21, 2023, I had a complete abdominal reconstruction. It was rough. I was immensely blessed my surgical team was able to do 8 small incisions instead of a large midline incision. What was supposed to be a 6 hour surgery turned into just under 9 hours. My surgeon said it was a very difficult surgery every step of the way. The amount of adhesions and scar tissue was causing a lot of issues. He also said the hernia around my ostomy could have reached an urgent situation soon. The good news is it was a successful surgery. He was able to repair the diastases recti, two hernia and several other issues. A full abdominal repair.

While recovering from this surgery was incredibly difficult, I was lucky to have help from my mom and son. I’m so incredibly lucky my friends and family were so amazing. Luckily I was home for Christmas! Celebrating Christmas in our home, our first Christmas in our new home was so important to me. I’m so glad I was able to! Here’s some photos!

We rang in the new year at home. Relaxing and comfortable! While a lot happened in 2023, some good, some bad, we made it through. I’m so grateful for all that was accomplished. We were prepared for 2024… or at least we thought we were.

An Open Letter to Doctors

This was also published by The Mighty.

Dear Doctors:

We come to you for help. We come to you already scared, frustrated, anxious. We don’t need any additional added to us. What we don’t need is for you to medically gaslight us. That’s not acceptable. Not in any way. We KNOW that as a rare disease patient, or a chronically ill patient we can be complex. We already know this. We don’t need reminding. Many of us struggle with being heard. Unfortunately too many of us have been dismissed, belittled, ignored. Too many of us have been gaslighted by those that are supposed to help.

Medical gaslighting is term used to describe doctors or medical practitioners who blame a patient’s illness or symptoms on psychological factors, or deny a patient’s illness entirely, for example wrongly telling patients that they are not sick

This is prevalent in the chronic illness/rare disease community. So many have experienced. Oddly many have experienced this with neurology. Neurology seems to be the one specialty many of us experience this with. However, this does not just happen with neurology, but many specialists. So many tell us it’s in our heads, go to counseling, or we’re just looking for something to be wrong. We’re easily dismissed. This leaves us frustrated, confused and angry. Some patients have developed PTSD from the traumatizing experienced within the healthcare system. We experience negativity, dismissiveness and unacceptable behavior from doctors to the point we have developed PTSD.. That is extremely concerning. This is causing us to mistrust doctors, some even avoid them for years for fear of this reoccurring.

What prompted this “letter” you may ask? Well, I was referred to a neuromuscular doctor, I saw him about 2 months ago. He was great at the first appt. Said there were signs of ataxia and MS. I saw him again August 9th. He did a complete 180. Appt was less 10 mins, closer to 5. He said no MS, which is fine. I asked if my EDS diagnosis plus my collagen gene mutation could cause the muscle fatigue and such. He said maybe. Then…then he really upset me. He said “let’s not look for anything else to be wrong ok?” Not the worst to say but still awful. Obviously I don’t want extra diagnoses. However his next comment and note in my chart really solidified why I struggle with neurology as a whole. He stated at some point if surgical intervention is needed, a psych evaluation should be done beforehand. I have never asked for a surgery or test. I have never been through a surgery that was not absolutely necessary.

What?! Why? I’m genuinely baffled at why this is always what doctors fall back to. It’s insulting and so unacceptable. I posted my experience in several support groups. It was overwhelming by how many have similar experiences with not just neurology, but many specialties. Many specialties do this. As a Dysautonomia patient, neurology is one of the specialists to follow that diagnosis. Yet, many don’t want to, or they’re dismissive. Our symptoms are real. Our pain is real. Our concerns are real. It’s not all in our heads. It’s not just mental health or depression. Yes, we can develop depression and anxiety. However, let’s look at it subjectively. We’re chronically ill. We go to doctors to help us. We’re turned away, dismissed, ignored, told to go to therapy. How could we not develop anxiety, or depression? Perhaps BOTH are reactive to what we’ve experienced? Perhaps both are reactive to living with a life altering diagnosis?

Yes, I’ll say there is some depression. Yes there is some anxiety. However it is most often NOT the cause of our symptoms. Some already attend counseling in practice of mental health and self care. Not everyone with chronic illness is depressed. Not everyone with chronic illness has anxiety. You CAN be chronically ill and have STABLE mental health. It is possible. I am a strong advocate of counseling, and self care. A strong advocate of discussing mental health within the community.

We want help. We want to be listened to. Most importantly, we want to be HEARD. We want to be treated with respect, kindness and compassion. We want to work with out doctor as a team. We want to trust out doctors. We want to work together. We want open communication. If you don’t know how to help us, say that respectfully. Set your pride aside and think of the patient, of us.

Please hear this plea. It’s not just a plea from me. It’s a plea from the rare disease and chronic illness community.

Let’s work together to create change. Let’s work together to refine and improve our patient-doctor relationship. I have hope we can do this, together.

Sincerely,

All of us.

Let’s Talk Endometriosis..

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.. So let’s talk about it. What Exactly is it?

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Mayo Clinic- Endometriosis

Now that we know what it is, let’s talk about it. I was diagnosed with it at 15/16. I was told I would probably never have kids. I remember sitting in the doctors office, the doctor telling me at 16, I’d probably never have children. I remember feeling so heartbroken, angry and confused. Why? Why was this being told to me. I didn’t understand at the time. No one really explained any of this to me. Soon i’d find out just what it all meant.

I had been rushed into emergency surgery in 2003, I was 17 years old. I had an ovarian cyst that had ruptured. While in surgery they removed my appendix, since most doctors were dismissing my pain as appendicitis. This surgery started what would become the “norm” for me. Another surgery revealed I was at Stage 4 at 18 yrs old. Unfortunately this wasn’t documented well by the doctor then. All we knew was that it was “everywhere”. We tried Lupron Depot, birth control. Various treatments to manage my symptoms and pain. Which just seemed to worsen each month. Lupron depot made it so I no longer had a menstrual cycle. This way they could manage the pain a bit better, unfortunately this led to other side effects from this medication, which is actually classified as a Chemotherapy medication. Here I was 18-20 and in menopause, on “chemo”. My life consisted of painful periods and doctors appointments.

My mom and I began to research. We found an amazing team of doctors in Atlanta at the Center for Endometriosis. I submitted a lot of medical records, and received word I would be taken as a patient. So off we went. Another appointment. Another doctor. This time though, we had hope. I was going to the best of the best. Little did we know just how things would go.

The consultation was overwhelming. I was basically informed i’d need another surgery. We prepared, we made plans. Traveling back and forth from South Florida to Atlanta wasn’t easy, but my mom made it happen. I was 20 years old, supposed to be in college and my periods were so bad I couldn’t function during that time. I remember my mom and I having the discussion. Me saying, “don’t let them take everything. I want a chance to have a baby later in life.” We expressed this to my doctors, Dr. Sinervo and Dr. Albee. They were aware of my fears, my anxieties, my desire to be a mom. They assured me they would do all they could. That day… that day is forever etched in my mind. Waking up in my hospital room. My mom sitting there, waiting for me to come out of the anesthesia. I looked at her, saw that she’d been crying. I asked her, “I lost them didn’t I? You took them out?”. I screamed, yelled and cried. Not only out of pain but heartbreak. She held me as I cried, as I mourned the loss. It may sound silly to some, but to me it was heartbreaking. She told me my entire right side was covered in endometriosis. The worst case they’d seen in someone my age. I had it on my right ovary, fallopian tube, intestines, pelvic wall. It was in a sense everywhere in my pelvic area. My mom had to make the decision for me, she had to make the decision to remove organs. Make the decision for her 20 year old daughter about her future. She agreed with my surgeons, remove the right side. So at 20 years old I had a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This means, my right ovary and fallopian tube were removed. They did this to remove the endometriosis, to buy me time.

I then had to have a LEEP procedure due to pre-cancer cells found on my cervix.. Then.. then a miracle happens.. I end up pregnant in 2008. It was a shock, lots of crying. For 9 months there was no endo pain. No hellish periods.. It was glorious!

My son is now 10, he’ll be 11 in April. I’m 33 and I still battle endometriosis. I’ve battled it for 18 years, I’ve had 6 surgeries in total for it. My last one was in May 2018. They found two endometriomas in my left ovary. Once again my doctor did all he could to give me a chance to have another child. I’m once again at Stage 3. We’re considering reaching back out to the Center for Endometriosis Care. I need another surgery, however after 8 abdominal surgeries, they’re waiting until it’s absolute necessity. I’ve had severe scar tissue. Scar tissue and adhesions on various organs, in various places. Scar tissue that made placing my feeding tubes, very difficult. It turns out the severity of my endometriosis has created quite the problems in my pelvic area. Intestines are fused together, bowel issues, bladder issues. Things you wouldn’t think about endometriosis affecting, but it has far reaching consequences. Even with my J tube, there’s damage from my endometriosis. They’re saying “frozen pelvis”. It’s horrific to realize just how damaging endometriosis is, and how little it’s explained.

I’m in pelvic floor physical therapy to help with various symptoms from my endo. I have trouble going to the bathroom, both #1 and #2. This is being attributed in part to my endo. Horrific menstrual cycle pain. Every month i’m out of commission for a few days. I’ve tried birth control, sadly they just make my cycle last for weeks, which I can’t cope with. Pain with intercourse, pain with bowel movement, pain with movement in general at times.. These are things rarely discussed or acknowledged by some doctors. Things that are often dismissed. I’m hopeful that Pelvic Floor PT can help, if anything, may be it can help with going to the bathroom. Or help with the pain. Even in some small way would be appreciated.

Knowing i’m running out of time, knowing that each month my pain and periods are absolutely horrendous, knowing I need more surgeries for my endometriosis, it gets to me. Sometimes I debate if it’s time for a hysterectomy. I begin to accept that fate, then it becomes too overwhelming for me. Too much, too soon. I know that’s my eventuality. I know that is what I will end up needing, but how do you mentally prepare for that? How do you mentally prepare for no longer being able to conceive? It’s not easy. In 2019 it was discovered I have a hydrosalpinx. Meaning my only remaining tube is blocked. I have to see a fertility specialist to see just how blocked. I haven’t prepared myself for that yet. I can’t determine which would be easier, just doing the hysterectomy and giving up, or trying with the fertility doctor, and having hope. How do you make that decision? It’s incredibly difficult to make.

The emotional damage from my salpingo-oophorectomy was immense. I felt like less of a woman. I felt broken, damaged. I wanted to be a mother, and here i’m facing that I would probably never be a mom by natural ways. Depression, anxiety it was there. I had to work through the pain, not just physically, but emotionally as well. That’s what no one tells you about endometriosis. Yes physically the pain is unbearable, but emotionally, it’s unbearable at times. No one talks about the mental and emotional aspect of living with endometriosis. I’m not sure why, is it taboo? It needs to NOT be. It needs to be discussed. Women struggle with both aspects of pain. Let’s be there for them. Endometriosis is hell. It’s physically and emotionally painful. It robs women of their joy, their lives, even motherhood.. their hopes of motherhood are dashed at times due to their pain, or severity. It can affect relationships. It can damage them. We feel inadequate. We wonder why our partner stays, we wonder how a new partner will feel when they find out you may not be able to conceive. Don’t push your partner away. Communicate your feelings, your fears with them. Lean on them. Let them help you face this.

The feeling of being unworthy due to being infertile, or due to the struggle and pain with your endo. The feeling can be so overwhelming, so soul crushing you can’t breathe. You scream; “Why”, you beg and plead. You try to grasp this, try to grasp how this happened. You feel alone, broken, scared, angry. I assure you, you’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re not less than, you’re not inadequate. You’re not unworthy. It’s ok to be angry, it’s ok to be scared. You’re worthy of love. So damn worthy. Just know you have a community of women behind you lifting you up in your time of pain. We are here, we will help you shoulder this. We are a sisterhood. We are a community. We are fighters with hope for a cure.

Anemia, And Hearing Loss you say?

Happy-December-7

I survived Thanksgiving! This year was my first year with my tubes!! It was hard, but we kept it small this year, just my mom, my son and I. My mom made a crustless pumpkin pie for me, which was great. Keeping it small really meant alot. I was invited to spend it with my dad and his girlfriend, but I didn’t want to spend it trying to navigate eating or not eating in a group of people. Hopefully next year I’ll be pretty well adjusted!

Now I’ve had some hearing loss, it’s mixed hearing loss. Meaning both conductive and sensorineural. We have a small idea why i’m losing my hearing, which is from a genetic mutation I have. My ENT is great and is recommending hearing aids at this point, due to struggles i’m having with certain situations. It’s overwhelming. I can say how many take hearing for granted. We never know when or how things can change for us. We always think, “Not me”.. Don’t think that way. Despite it all, and how overwhelmed I have been, I have confidence that it’ll be ok. One way or another.

Mixed-Hearing-Loss-1040x376

Now my tubes have been a bit complicated. It’s been a lot of ER visits. Last week my G tube nearly fell out!!! WHAAAT! Luckily I caught it right before it fell all the way out. I spent hours in the ER making sure it was in the right position (I pushed it back in), and having them secure it until Interventional Radiology could replace it the next day. It seems my balloon popped! Now idea how, and it’s so weird. Luckily IR got me right in the next morning and replace it within 5 mins. YES! IR is the best! I’m finally working my way up to continuous feed. Which means 24/7. I’m hoping to increase my rate so I can disconnect for a few hours a day! Being attached to a feeding pump or iv pump is frustrating, but the alternative is far worse. In time i’ll get back in to a routine. My intestines are being sluggish, which is creating a new set of problems. I’m also now anemic. More bloodwork now to figure out why, and to determine how we fix it. Hopefully it’s an easy fix. We decided if it’s low iron, we’ll do iv iron, so we don’t run the risk of my not absorbing it if taken orally.

We don’t realize just how much is affected by digestion, or lack thereof. Many don’t think of vitamin deficiencies or not absorbing the right amount through eating vitamin rich foods. With my gastroparesis, I have absorption issues, which in turn creates vitamin deficiencies. I’ve been experiencing extreme fatigue, hair loss, pale skin, and horrible freezing cold hands/feet. I’ve tried to eat regular food, it’s left me really sick each time. It’s just not worth it, but how do you give up food? How do you get to the point of accepting this is life? Tube fed, and applesauce and pudding are what you can safely eat? It’s left me angry, but again, in time i’ll adjust and accept it more and more.

Let’s talk beauty. Let’s talk self esteem. You’ve all seen my posts about how i’ve struggled with my insecurities. I currently have a few things in the works behind the scenes. I can’t announce just what yet, but hopefully soon I can! I will say, I aim to inspire, encourage and uplift others. Regardless of what you battle, YOU are beautiful and worthy my dear little warrior! Once my channel and videos are posted, i’ll link it from my site!

Feeling attractive, loved, and worthy is all so hard while battling chronic illness. Battling your body daily just to do simple function leaves you exhausted. Learning to love your body, which sometimes feels like a prison is hard. I urge you to not give up, find what you love about yourself, find your strengths, find you. Never give up. I know at times it feels like you can’t go on, or it’s not worth the fight. It is! You ARE worth it. When people compliment you, don’t question it, don’t scoff or roll your eyes. Accept it, believe it. If you ever need an ear, shoulder or just someone to vent to, reach out to me. If you feel all alone, reach out. There’s a community behind you, lifting you up.

Here’s my latest project! It is now LIVE!!! Tubie Photoshoot

DQLBCM7VQAE2dmC

From a Spouse’s Perspective

We hear so much of how being chronically ill affects us, but how does it affect our partners? What is it like from their perspective?? I quickly sent a text to my boyfriend, I explained I wanted to write a piece, essentially from his perspective. This is his view.

b3146938140004a7891313a9ac866e49

Last night as I sat reading an article on The Mighty, about partners of those that are chronically ill, I was hit with curiosity. We hear so much of how being chronically ill affects us, but how does it affect our partners? How do they feel? What is this like from their perspective?? I quickly sent a text to my boyfriend, I explained I wanted to write a piece, essentially from his perspective. He said he’d love to help me. So, I sat down, typed out some questions and emailed them to him late last night. By 7:30am I had his replies.

Let me preface with this, we met in September 2011. He was there from day 1 when all of this started.

Without Further Ado,

From a Souse/Partner’s Perspective:

1) When at first when my health deteriorated, how did you handle or adjust to that?

I handled it like every other day and I don’t feel like I had to make any adjustments that I didn’t want to make on my own.

2) Did/Do you ever feel overwhelmed? If so, how did you deal with it?

I never feel overwhelmed personally, but I do feel bad that you get stuck, probed and prodded regularly by nurses, and doctors. You’re shuffled from specialist to specialist, all while hoping for answers.

3) Have you ever felt helpless? Being my partner and unable to fight off this monster of a disease.

No I don’t feel helpless because you’re the strongest person I know and if anybody can get through this, you can.

4) What is the hardest thing you’ve had to face in dealing with my health?

I would say the pacemaker scared the living hell out of me. That’s dealing with the heart, so many risks with that. It was kind of hard to handle but you amazed me with how you handled it like a champ.

5) Do you prefer when I shield you from the bad days, or disease progression? Or do you want the truth of how things are?

I want the truth about how things are, no matter what, your love and well being are my first priority.

6) What is your biggest frustration in dealing with my health?

My biggest frustration in dealing with your health is that sometimes your attitude on life gets to me. The eating/drinking issues, you won’t do it some days because you know how sick you’ll be after. So you don’t want to do it. That you won’t do the feeding tube, even though you need it. You let your family talk you out of doing what your doctors suggest. You also don’t see yourself as beautiful, you feel like the feeding tube, will make you less beautiful to me. Scars, or a feeding tube won’t make me love you any less, or see you any less beautiful and amazing. That’s really frustrating for me.

7) Being a caregiver to your girlfriend, have you ever resented the role?

I never resented the role. It’s a role that I choose to be in, because I love you.

8) If you could tell me anything about how you’ve seen my struggle with my body, what would it be??

Nothing, your body is flawless. Scars tell stories and you have a lot of stories to be told. Your never ending strength is amazing to witness.

9) What’s the most vivid memory you have of dealing with all this?What memory sticks out the most?

The day you got your walker. I felt you used it as an excuse to give up on physical therapy, of getting better, stronger.. You have problems walking yes, you tire easily, but I could see that you wanted to give up, instead of pushing through to overcome it. That was hard for me to see.

10) What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to deal with in regards to watching me struggle with my health?

When your self esteem drops. You’ve grown stronger in who you are, you’ve found your inner strength, your voice. You inspire people with your words, and your realness. However, Nothing about YOU has changed, you’re the same person you were when I met you. You don’t see the beauty I see when I look at you. That’s hard for me, that you don’t see what I see, what others see.

11) If there was anything you could change about my health or how I see things, what would it be?

Your health does not bother me, but how you see things does. Open your eyes, look around, you have a lot to live for. You have a lot to be happy about.

12) Have you ever wanted to walk away, leave?

I didn’t think that was an option. A real man or woman would stand next to their partner no matter what.

13) If you could give spouses/partners new to this any advice, what would it be?

Work hard with what you got, and above all find happiness and peace within yourself.

Reading his replies, it really put things into perspective. It made me see myself with different eyes. This man, he’s loved me unconditionally for 7 years. He’s held me as I cried, he’s calmed my fears. He was there through cardiac ablations, my passing out, losing strength to walk. He’s seen the good, the bad and the hell. He’s seen me angry, cry, and grieve over losing my healthy body. He’s talked to me as I had convulsion like episodes, he calmed me when I was upset. He reassured me when I was scared. He was my strength when I wasn’t strong. Most of all though, he’s loved me when I couldn’t love myself. He’s watched me as I slept to make sure I was still breathing. His never ending strength and love have really helped me grow as a person, it’s helped me grow into myself. He’s encouraged me, embraced me, challenged me, and loved me. He has pushed me to do things I love, to do things i’ve dreamt of. He’s my steadfast rock, my cheerleader and my biggest supporter.

It’s not easy being with someone that has many health issues, but as he said, nothing about that person has changed. Love is love. Love them wholeheartedly. Love them despite it all. Love them through the good and bad. When they feel like giving up, lend them your strength, cheer them on. I assure you, your love, strength and encouragement mean everything to us.

So to my amazing, loving boyfriend, from the bottom of my bionic heart. Thank you for all you’ve done for me, all you do for me, and all you will do in the future. Your encouragement and love mean the world to me.

Grá Go Deo,

End of the Year… Reflection

I’ve spent the last week or so reflecting on my year. My 2018 started out promising..it seemed to have spiraled a bit!

January was interesting. It was probably when I first started having doubt about getting married. By March, I was thinking of my ex boyfriend, dreaming of him more often, and really started second guessing the wedding. Though I pushed forward. My health was up and down. Dealing with Emergency laparoscopy in May, then a HUGE HIPPA violation at the hospital post-op. Which left me reeling, and extremely upset. May brought me un June, and my proteins levels in my urine were climbing, thus an emergency renal biopsy was done! This led to the discovery of my having Thin Basement Membrane Disease. My nephrologist put me back on iv fluids, lactated ringers to be precise, 3 times a week.

The summer was busy with wedding stuff and keeping my son entertained. Dealing with my health and exhaustion. Spending time with my son. August prepared us for Back to School. August was the start of the spiral. I ended up canceling my wedding. Ending my engagement. So much has happened since then. In, September I reconnected with someone from my past, someone whom I’ve loved for 7 years. October, November led to may seeing him for the first time in 5 years. What an emotional moment that was. It had to happen though, we both needed to see each other, say what we both needed to say to the other that we never got the chance to. December led to health concerns, reconnecting with love, but most importantly time for reflections. It also led to my starting therapy. Therapy has been a godsend for me. It’s allowed me to really work through my emotions, and process it all. It’s a safe place for me to just unload my concerns, emotions and everything.

December also led to my son being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, High Functioning. We suspected it, having some answers has been amazing, but learning and navigating things with him is hard. I’m determined to learn all can, and find ways to help him be the best him he can be!!! We attended a football and hockey game! He’s starting soccer, he’s excited, but he’s also well aware of how overwhelmed he can get. We’re trying to find techniques for him, to make things a bit easier. It’s a learning process, we’ll get through it.

I’ve spent the last few months reflecting so much. Reflecting why I made the decision I did all those years ago. I’ve thought that maybe I should leave again, maybe he deserves someone worthy, someone not sick. I don’t want to be a burden. I’ve struggled with depression the last few months, especially the last month. Christmas was hard, for emotional and financial reasons. There’s days I feel like a failure as a mom. There’s days I cry at all I have to deal with. Days I feel like a failure as a girlfriend. My biggest biggest thing, is my self esteem. it’s such a struggle some days. There’s times I feel absolutely stunning, and others I’m like “WTF, what does he see in me?”… He tells me every day i’m beautiful, but he said this: “It doesn’t matter how much I say it, until YOU believe it for yourself”. How right he is, no matter how much he tells me i’m beautiful, it won’t matter unless I start to see it and believe it! My depression is sinking, it’s swirling around me. I sit here and cry wondering how I left 5 years ago, how I walked away from someone that loved me so unconditionally. I’ve become stuck in that loop. Instead of seeing he’s here, he’s still loving me, i’m stuck in the why, i’m stuck on the feeling like an annoyance, feeling like a burden. I know i’m not, but sometimes, in that moment it’s hard to see past it. It’s a struggle lately, a struggle sometimes I can’t overcome. I refuse to walk away again, no matter how string the fear is, no matter how scared I am. I can’t walk away from him again. If I do, i’ll lose him forever, i’ll lose my heart.

This year was full of struggles, full of hard decisions I had to make. Full of trials and tribulations, tears of pain, tears of laughter, tears of love. Ending my engagement, but finding my way back to someone I loved so fiercely, it’s scary. I’m working to let it all go. I can’t control everything, I can’t control the future. What I can control, is myself, my feelings, my reactions. I control me. I am choosing to let go of my insecurities, to let go of my fears. I’m ending 2018, i’m ready to let it all go. Let all the hell of this past year go. Let the self esteem struggles go. I’m choosing to wake up tomorrow, Jan. 1, refreshed, and on a new page for the next chapter of my life. I’m choosing to live, to be happy, to be loved! I’m choosing to let go of negativity, to let go of those that don’t bother in my life. I’m choosing to surround myself with supportive, loving, understanding people. I’m writing my story, i’m sharing my soul. For I have so much I wish to do, I refuse to be held back any longer by my fears or my insecurities.

2019 is going to be my year. My year for laughter, for friendships, for love, for inspiring others, for travel. 2019 is going to be the year I decide to move past the fear, and fully embrace who I am, fully embrace the past that I can’t change, fully embrace the future that is yet to happen. I am choosing to end 2018 by letting it all go. I choose to follow my path, be positive, happy and loved! I am choosing to let go and let God. If I don’t let go of the fear, I won’t live. I won’t accomplish anything I wish to, for the fear is holding me back.

I’m loved, i’m blessed, and without a doubt, you all are loved as well. You’re never alone. If you ever feel that way, reach out to me, I will listen. I will be here. Together we can build each other up.

Be you! Be Fierce, but most importantly, be true to yourself. Never give up your hopes and dreams. Lets all start 2019 off full of hope, full of dreams. My story is just starting…stay tuned…

My new reality…

cooltext307994895026427

I’ve been dealing with health issues. My gastroparesis has flared to a hellish point. It’s become extremely problematic, to the point i’m hardly able to eat, and i’m living in constant severe nausea. I’ve lost weight, most haven’t noticed because i’m wearing baggy clothes to hide how much I’ve lost.

However, things have come to a head. My kidneys are struggling, my POTS is out of control, and i’m beyond exhausted. I’m malnourished and not absorbing what I need from the food I am eating. Last Monday I saw a specialist 3 hours away. My best friend Jen was with me. She held my hand, and rubbed my back as the doctor told me, I need to accept this particular procedure I need done..a feeding tube. A J-Tube to be exact. I cried, I immediately had a moment of panic.

The doctor said I’m basically starving…. Now you may ask, how did no one notice? How did no one close to me realize this?? Simple, I’ve kept just how bad things have gotten to myself. My family didn’t know, my best friends didn’t know. Only one person had an inkling, he knew something was wrong beginning of November, but I tried to seem fine, I tried to brush it off. Until I couldn’t. Now things have come to a head. Things are bad, but we can still salvage it. There’s hope, I just have to push like hell to turn it all around.

Today as I sat in my local gastro’s office, we made a plan. A new Gastric Emptying Study, another endoscopy, then we do the J-Tube. I need it done soon, before I land in the hospital. I’m scared, i’m angry, I feel so alone. My family hasn’t been very supportive the last few months. I’m basically coping with all of this and more on my own, and a few, select friends. I texted my best friend telling her this is why I walked away 5 years ago from a relationship. I didn’t want to be a burden, I didn’t want to drag him down this hell with me. 5 years ago I walked away from someone that loved me unconditionally because I didn’t feel worthy. Today, I had the momentary panic of doing it all over again. We came full circle 5 years later, and here i’m facing this hell. I’m facing my body failing me, but I can’t make that decision for him. Not this time.

Why did I panic? I felt unattractive. Realizing i’ll have this tube sticking out of my stomach, and an iv in my chest, it was too much. Why would someone want to deal with all this? Why would someone put up with all this? The answer is so simple..Love. However, I am still so scarred from the abusive past I had, i’m still insecure in moments, I get stuck. Now though, i’m tired of it. I’m tired of letting my insecurities rule me. I’m fierce, i’m strong, i’m witty, I have amazing eyes. I’m beautiful. I’m me. No one can build me up, but me.

“You will be sexy and beautiful no matter what.”….. thats the text I got when I shared my concern with him. I’m so stuck on seeing it all as bad, he’s busy seeing me a a warrior, a fighter. He’s busy seeing PAST it all.
So, while I fear living with a feeding tube, i’m determined to own it. I’m determined to rock it like a damn pin up model. I’m determined to let go of my insecurities and live life, and love life. More importantly, to love myself and my body. I’m determined to find a photographer to work with me, and rock some pictures. Some might find it odd. Me? I find it empowering. This feeding tube is literally my lifeline right now. I need this, I need to let go of my fears, my insecurities and do what I need to feel confident. Having a feeding tube doesn’t make me unattractive. It doesn’t make me less of a person. I think as patients we can’t see the good, we can’t see our beauty. We’re too focused on the bad, too focused on what makes us feel bad, unattractive. Let’s break the cycle. Let’s silence those thoughts. Let’s lift each other up, lets build ourselves up. We’re worthy, we’re beautiful and amazing. We’re so much more than our health. We’re warriors, we’re strong. We deserve all our hopes and dreams.

So dream, love and live!! Let’s work together to let go of the negative and embrace what we do love about ourselves… Lets create a community of being empowered.

Be+Empowered

What do I love about me??

Fierce
Strong
Independent
loyal
Caring
Supportive
Witty
Funny
Inspiring
Ambitious
Hopeful
I’m beautiful.
I’m me.

Be Fierce..Be Strong, Be YOU!!!

SXcm1cZ

Now I choose to live…

**Trigger warning. **

The past month and a half has been incredibly difficult. I was supposed to get married, but things were called off. They should have been months ago… Ending a 2 year relationship and engagement wasn’t easy. However, the warning signs were there. The red flags were waving. I ignored them till i couldn’t anymore. I made the best decision for myself and my son. I will not crumble or yield. I will not apologize for making the decision i did. I didn’t ask for emotional abuse or manipulative behavior, and I sure as hell won’t put up with it. At first I was angry.. Now, I’m ok. I’m at peace with my choice, it’s been months in the making. I shouldn’t have let it get so far. My choice was the only one to make. I know there’s anger on his side, but I needed to do what’s best for my son and I. I won’t apologize for that.

Emotional abuse is hell. Manipulative behavior is hell. Being made to walk on eggshells day after day so you don’t set them off, is hell. Suicide threats when things go south, or not getting his way. I can’t live like that, I shouldn’t feel guilty for my feelings. But I was made to feel guilty. Constantly apologizing, constantly on edge watching what I say. I couldn’t be honest, because it turned into an argument, all the time. Not to say we didn’t have good times, because we did. We had a lot of them, but those don’t outweigh the red flags. They don’t outweigh the potential for things to go so bad, so quickly. Sadly, they did. It was toxic. There was no fixing it. Lies and Deceit, and anger have no place in my life. I put on a fake smile, and on facebook everything seemed perfect. Everything seemed fine… However a few were able to see past the facade I had in place. They saw behind the mask I wore.

His actions, and the stress led me to having a drink, then another. The first time in 10 years.. That night a phone call gave me a wake up call. (no one was injured. Just a blast from the past) That person knows me better than anyone else. He immediately understood my struggle, he understood my pain. He made me realize that this slip..it’s not me. I allowed someone else’s actions to break me. To break my strength. And that is utter bullshit. Two more nights, one drink each night.. Two more nights… I realized, while staring at my wedding gown that this..this relationship had been toxic. That I hid who I was. I let my strength die. My inner light dim. My friend caught onto it all. He reminded me of my strength, of who I am. Who and What I can be. He reminded me of the Phoenix within me. The power I always held. The dreams and hopes i’d always had.

My life has been difficult the last few years. Between my health, and other personal issues. My health has led to insecurities, and fear. It’s led to anxiety and depression. Through it all, I forgot to live. I just merely existed. I tabled my dreams, my goals, my ambitions, my faith and my hope.. Why?? Why did I do that?? Why did I hide part of myself? Why did I feel the need to?? There’s so many reasons. Reasons i’m not ready to share yet. Perhaps soon. I’m at a point where i’m almost ready to share it.. To bare that piece of my soul.

For now though, now i’m tired of just existing. I’m tired of not living!! I’m tired of being prisoner to my body! I’m tired of tabling my hopes and dreams. I’m tired of hiding who I am, so I don’t intimidate anyone. No more, More more will I just merely exist. I’m choosing to live. I’m choosing to travel. To love..oh to love fiercely… To smile.. Most importantly, to be happy! I’m choosing to not just exist. I’m going to live life to the fullest. I have faith, and hope.. With those anything is possible.

#imaphoenix, #spoonie, #emotionalabuse, #imstronger #iknowmyworth, #dontignorethesigns

Share this:

Heading Home, Finally

Finding out More Information

What’s Next?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Here’s my latest project! It is now LIVE!!! Tubie Photoshoot

Share this:

From a Souse/Partner’s Perspective:

Share this:

Share this:

Be Fierce..Be Strong, Be YOU!!!

Share this:

Share this: