“’Yep, I’m in the hospital again.’ I have never known what it was like to be ‘not sick.’ Here is my conundrum: I am actually very happy. I’m choosing to live.”
‘People are in pain, you’re wasting a bed.’ My intestine had literally turned itself in a knot.’: Mother battles chronic pain and hospital stays, urges ‘mental health matters’
‘At 18, I had my WHOLE life ahead of me. It was a FREAK incident.’: Woman endures random back injury, leading to chronic pain, ‘I’m strongest when I embrace myself’
“I began leaking spinal fluid, and it soaked through my sheets. My parents were told they needed to prepare themselves to lose me.”
‘I felt incredibly optimistic, CERTAIN my old life would return. Boy, was I WRONG.’: Young woman battles Lyme Disease, turns to alternative medicine
“I was losing my vision, and could barely breathe. I spilled onto the platform packed with HUNDREDS of commuting New Yorkers.”
‘She just doesn’t want to go to school.’ At 18, I became a single mom living with undiagnosed pain.’: Chronic illness warrior becomes advocate with son’s help, ‘I couldn’t live without him’
“I had 9 months symptom-free. ‘I wish I didn’t have to give you this diagnosis.’ I felt like my life was ending.”
‘My first full sentence was, ‘My back hurts.’ I can’t imagine how heartbreaking that was for my mom.’: Chronic illness warrior says ‘I am brave and strong’
“I asked daily, ‘Why me?’ I was so frustrated and angry at the world. I didn’t understand why I had to endure this much pain and trauma.”
‘You’re SO inspirational!’ This is NOT a compliment.’: Young woman with Acute Flaccid Myelitis says ‘my life isn’t less worthy’
“It may SEEM like a compliment, but it’s exactly the opposite.”
‘The tests came back perfect, so you can stop convulsing. Take some Advil and SUCK IT UP.’: Chronic Lyme Disease warrior details journey, ‘I celebrate my small victories’
“Do you see her? There’s something VERY wrong.’ A group of my friends stood right outside the door, praying for divine intervention.”
‘Instead of planning our wedding, my fiancé was called to the ICU at 4 a.m.’: Young woman loses father, fights Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
“I was found cowering, fetal position, in the space between the washer and dryer. My legs, once strong from years of softball, no longer supported my own weight.”
‘He confirmed I was disgusting and worthless. He instilled in my mind there was better out there.’: Woman battles Ulcerative Colitis, finds love after infidelity
“Just last week I was celebrating my birthday and now I’m in the ER with the unknown happening.”
‘Mommy, am I going to get so sick that I die?’: Mom of Cystic Fibrosis warrior waits for a cure, ‘He takes it all in stride’
“What I wouldn’t give for his biggest worry in life to be a grazed knee or his sandwich cut the wrong way. He is my light and my strength.”
