Category: Health

‘Your kids have had more screen time than ever. I need my crap together. I should be doing more.’: Mom struggling with pandemic parenting says ‘throw the shoulds out the window’

“Your wardrobe is pajamas and your greys are down to your ears. You can literally knock a human being out with your boobs swaying in the wind because bras just don’t fit into your daily wear. You’re exhausted. You aren’t on top of things. All you did today was nothing.”

LJ Herman - Oct 23, 2020

‘If you send me home, I will die.’ The doctor looked me in the eyes. ‘We’re all going to die.’: Mental illness, chronic pain warrior finds peace through therapy, ‘I accept myself as I am’

“I’ve been in a car wreck I shouldn’t have walked away from. I’ve attempted suicide 3 times. I’ve come close to death often. ‘Why do I exist?’ Now I knew exactly why I’m here.”

Sophia San Filippo - Oct 23, 2020

‘One of your babies is behaving beautifully!’ Wait, ONE? I knew it was too good to be true.’: Woman births miracle twins, ‘They survived against all odds’

“In came another doctor, who also scanned his head. Then another doctor and another doctor. ‘His brain is likely to grow out of his skull.’ I tried to hide my bump. I didn’t let myself get attached.”

Elizabeth Grow - Oct 23, 2020

‘I probably won’t outlive my sister or may not be able to see my children grow up. ‘Do you feel like a burden?’—Yes, I do’: Woman with Cystic Fibrosis details journey, ‘If you search for the silver living, you’ll always find it’

“I had no energy to move, let alone scream. My parents had nothing to be concerned about. All was a mystery. I hid behind the paper and the little book in my wardrobe no one knew existed. I was fine about everything and I sort of still am, but I don’t want to die yet.”

Devon Ledbetter - Oct 23, 2020

‘Sedated and wearing diapers, I flew 3,000 miles during a global pandemic to have a life-saving surgery.’: After 23 years of not being taken seriously, woman finally diagnosed with 3 rare diseases

“The world was falling apart as a top neurosurgeon prepared to piece me back together. I watched the protests from a small TV in our hotel room and reflected on how I fought for 23 years to be heard by men and women in white coats who minimized my disabling symptoms and refused to acknowledge my struggle was real.”

Elizabeth Grow - Oct 23, 2020

‘My friends joked, ‘What if you’re actually pregnant?’ We laughed. At 19, my body was creating a life without my knowledge.’: Young woman details unexpected pregnancy, loss

“I’d been walking around with a big fat smile on my face, telling the world I was going to be the greatest mother for this little girl. ‘You made the right decision, it was meant to be.’ ‘You’re strong for going through this pregnancy.’ Then I felt a pop, and there I was, shaking my stomach trying to wake up my daughter.”

Sophia San Filippo - Oct 23, 2020

‘I simply gave my husband a thumbs up. ‘This has to be a dream!’ We prayed for YEARS. There were no words.’: Couple conceives through IVF, ‘We never take a moment for granted’

“I was paranoid something would go wrong. It didn’t seem real! We both sat and looked at each other in shock.”

Becky Balfe - Oct 23, 2020

‘I’ve never been a confident person, you know that all too well. That’s why you chose me to be your next victim that fateful night.’: Woman pens letter to her eating disorder, ‘I’m not keeping you a secret anymore’

“You’ve never really listened to me before, so maybe telling you all of this stuff is pointless. Maybe you’re not even listening now. Even if you are, it’s not like you’re going to feel sorry for me after everything you’ve put me through.”

Sophia San Filippo - Oct 22, 2020

‘SURELY nothing else bad can happen.’ The joy was short-lived. I needed to heal. We made an unorthodox decision.’: Couple adopts while pursuing IVF, ‘It’s been a humbling experience’

“I was SO sure we were going to be picked. It seemed like such a good match. Days later, we got the call, ‘She chose the other family.’ I was crushed all over again.”

Emily Richey - Oct 22, 2020