Let me start with some background so we can get to know each other.  I am a 28 year old wife and mother.   My journey started at age 13.  After being a lifelong athlete and overachiever I was stricken with Hashimoto’s Disease.  This led me to a yearlong bout of fatigue, depression, and multiple illnesses until a diagnosis was determined.  Once stable, I returned to an active lifestyle.  I graduated high school  and set out on my way to college with goals of completing a BS in psychology.

I remained active.  I was a full time student, worked part time in food service, and a competitive runner of local 5-10k runs as well as a half marathon.  My fourth semester I was sent to the Emergency Room after waking up to no vision while battling bronchitis.  At the ER it was determined I was suffering from Type I Diabetes.  After taking a short break from school to stabilize my new disease, I returned with the decision to double-major in nursing and psychology, all the while still holding down a job.

The next year I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis.  A few months later, my high school sweetheart and I were blessed with an unexpected pregnancy due to the fact I was believed to be infertile.  To ensure a safe pregnancy it was, once again, recommended I slow my busy lifestyle.  I remained working part time and lessened my course load. 

I delivered a healthy baby boy nine months later in late October.  The next semester I solidified an Associates Degree and forged on to reach my goal of nursing and a psychology degree.  I also completed the certification program for Medical Assisting.

Shortly after delivering my son, I began showing signs of a new disease process.  The symptoms included grand and petit mal seizures, rashes, weakness, extreme fatigue, vomiting, numbing of my extremities and much more.

I began a career as a medical assistant and continued online courses despite feeling ill, while continuing my role as wife, mother, and an avid runner.  Eventually my symptoms got severe enough my family was forced to move closer to the larger support group of our extended family in hopes that the lower stress of a slower paced lifestyle would lessen these episodes.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.

While working full time as a medical assistant and studying full time with online courses, things only worsened.  I was told by doctors to withdrawal from school and begin the process of applying for disability.  As I fought that idea at the age of 25, thinking it was a ridiculous option for someone so determined, I was eventually left with no other choice. 

In the summer of 2008 I was sent to Mayo Clinic in Arizona to determine why my health was declining rapidly despite all efforts on my own part as well as my local doctors.  Although the Mayo Clinic began treatment for epilepsy, they were stumped as to what the underlying disease was that was causing such widespread symptoms.  I was sent home with few answers and told I needed to be closely followed until the full picture was in view.

The next year was extremely rough and loaded with specialist appointments, medical tests, a hospital stay, and the loss of the privilege to have a driver’s license.  In November 2008 a biopsy revealed disseminated histoplasmosis.  Following that, in February 2009, a tentative diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease was established with the possibility left open for the development of full blown lupus.  In June 2009, I was diagnosed with a severe case of Celiac Disease.  That discovery lead to weight loss and malnutrition.

Feeling hopeful that all these complicated symptoms were being explained and treated I felt some relief.  I returned to work part time at a local bank to keep stress low, but giving myself a chance to get out and feel productive.  I would feel better for a few months at a time and then symptoms would return.  The most frustrating being fatigue, lack of stamina, body aches, head aches, nausea, vomitting, and other digestive issues as well as seizures.  A return to the hospital in October 2010 revealed my pancreas was no longer producing digestive enzymes, hence I was not digesting food.  Another discovery leading to weight loss and malnutrition.

A bout of seizures the summer 2011 along with continued digestive issues despite all efforts induced fears a yet another disease process.  July 2011 I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia.  This brought my grand total to 6 autoimmune diseases and 1 additional chronic condition of epilepsy.  Here we are waiting for more answers.  I am continuing to have trouble with food, nutrition, weight, and general feeling of bleh. 

This blog is being started as a release.  I have so many hopes and dreams, so many goals and aspirations.  I hope to connect with people.  To support each other as well as teach and learn from each other.  A dream would be for this to spark interest for new research and treatment options.  With everything I have been through, my life has made a complete 180.  So much has been taken away, I just want to get something back.

Everybody has a story.  It may not be disease, it may be family, or emotional, or mental, or financial trouble.  We all need something to look forward to everyday.  We all deserve happiness.  It is a choice.  I have lost so much, but I have gained so much.  It has to be a trade off.  I do not believe God gives you challenges and struggles to make you suffer.  I believe there is a reason for everything, whatever you believe in.  I want to open new doors and try new things to fill the holes and make something good out of all this.

Let this be an open conversation.  I am not judgemental or political.  I do have my own opinions and beliefs and I ask that they be respected, but I respect your beliefs and your opinions.  No two stories are the same just as no two people will react the same or have the same point of view.  Let's talk.