“I spent my teenage years at the hospital, taking over-the-counter painkillers every day like they were sweets. I didn’t know how I would survive.”
‘For two days, I was on the floor in tears from the pain. My body shouted so loudly I had to listen.’: Woman with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic illness shares mental health journey
‘He said they were ‘non-symptomatic.’ I was sent off feeling relieved it wasn’t worse—if only I knew.’: Woman shares journey with Tarlov Cyst Disease to raise awareness
“When I woke up, I had lost sensation completely in my left leg, and I lost control of my bladder. The pain was excruciating.”
‘There’s nothing there.’ The tumor was breaking the bone from the inside out, but nobody believed me.’: Woman survives ‘invisible’ nervous system attack, shares mental health journey
“I lost every friend I had. Nobody would speak to me. I dreaded going to school, I just wanted to sleep. I hated myself for the pain and worry I caused my family.”
‘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’
“’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.”
‘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.”
