“My pre-baby body didn’t birth four human beings. My pre-baby body didn’t know the true meaning of sacrifice, sleepless nights. My pre-baby body didn’t know love like I know now.”
‘Mom, that’s when you were skinny!’ I saw a photo of my pre-baby body. I sighed and envied who I once was. I don’t look like her anymore.’: Mom learns to appreciate beauty of postpartum body
‘I had a once in a lifetime, freak emergency. When I tell doctors what happened, they don’t believe me.’: Chronic illness warrior urges ‘hold on to joy’
“I had severe pain on my right side that wouldn’t go away. I was taken to the ICU, where the fight of my life began. I was hospitalized for over 40 days while they tried to save me.”
‘Try to get him breathing!’ Experts said he’d remain in a semi-vegetative state for the rest of his life.’: Mom of near-drowning victim preaches water safety after ‘preventable accident’
“Leaving the bathroom remains the biggest regret of my life.”
‘But you’re too young to have it.’ My body aged from 26 to 83. I could barely walk a mile.’: Woman shares grief of psoriatic arthritis diagnosis
‘My diagnosis flipped my world upside-down. None of my friends could relate to what I was going through. I felt stuck in my body.”
‘The doctor walked in and said, ‘It’s time to take him.’ A rush of fear came over me. We were supposed to have another week.’: Heart warrior ‘defies the odds one day at a time’
“Thoughts of a nice smooth pregnancy went out the window. My biggest fears were coming to life.”
‘A bridesmaid brought a pair of angel wings as a tribute to Jessica. The wings flew off the table and left us speechless.’: Cancer survivor honors friend, ‘I think of her every single day’
“I finally came up with the PERFECT tattoo design to honor her beautiful life. 2 months later, my husband pointed to a spot on my breast and said, ‘Right there, that’s new.’”
‘If I sent you home now, I’d be ashamed to call myself a nurse.’ She held my hand, and advocated for me.’: Chronic illness warrior inspired to become nurse after act of kindness
“I relied on nurses for almost everything. Without hesitation, they lifted my spirits and held my hand. They allowed me to trust the health care system again and reclaim my passion. I knew I wanted to be part of that change.”
‘Just wait until he sees you in the hospital. He’ll definitely run.’ I never thought he’d love me back. He held my hand and took care of me.’: Liver transplant recipient shares powerful love story
“As I stood in front of him, he said my scars showed my strength. I couldn’t believe it. For so long, I’d let my illness make me feel like I deserved less. I realized I could do anything with him by my side.”
‘This isn’t living. It’s merely surviving.’ I was totally bed-bound. I was a shadow of the person I used to be.’: Woman with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome says ‘I appreciate every single second’
“The apartment above mine had a leak. My bedroom was full of black mold. They ‘cleaned’ it by painting over it. I gave up. 2 months later, I couldn’t get out of bed. I desperately searched for answers.”
‘Everything is fine, but…’ I tensed up. I thought everyone was in as much pain as I was. I found myself alone with NO answers.’: Chronic illness warrior urges ‘NEVER give up on your health’
“Doctors told me, ‘It’s all in your head.’ I started to lose hope. I couldn’t even take a shower or wash my hair without help. I couldn’t swallow without difficulty and occasional choking. It started to sink in. My life will always be different than others.”
