Why You Should Never Be Afraid to Speak Up to Your Doctor and Get a Second Opinion
In early January, I was struck down with one of the worst pains I have ever felt in my life. I spent all day on the couch holding my stomach in pain. I could barely move. I’m somewhat known for being stubborn and decided to “tough it out.” I went to work the next day […]
How to Ace College (and Have Fun) Despite Having Chronic Condition
Now that school has started, what’s your biggest fear? If you’ve been recently diagnosed with a chronic condition, your excitement might be replaced with fear. Fear that you might fail. Fear that you won’t have the strength to accomplish everything you’ve set out to do. Anxiety and fear are normal. But it doesn’t have to […]
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Hey, there! My name is Sarah Tsacogianis, and I’m from a suburb just outside of Boston, MA. I am 23 years old and have been diagnosed with chronic illness for 5 years now. It all began at age 18, when I found myself in and out of doctor’s offices, constantly being told “it’s all […]
Lessons Learned on the Road to Acceptance
My name is Emmy, and I’m an 18 year old battling Systemic Arthritis, along with other autoimmune diseases, Mast Cell Disease, and more. Back in 2014, I went from being a healthy kid, about to start her freshman year at a new high school, to a girl I no longer recognized. The road to finding […]
3 Tips to Make Organization One Less Thing to Worry About
My name is Jess, and I am diagnosed with high-functioning anxiety disorder (HFAD). To break down why my specific diagnosis is different from generalized anxiety disorder, those who deal with HFAD on a daily basis are mentally programmed to focus heavily on details, overthink, and overanalyze. These behaviors and ways of thinking are often times thought of […]
President Trump’s 2018 Budget: What’s Getting Cut in the Health Department?
On May 23, the Trump administration released his full 2018 budget proposal, which details many of the changes that may be made to the United States federal government’s spending. Outrage from politicians, mayors, outside parties, and citizens followed the release of these plans. According to the Washington Post, the Environmental Protection Agency, the State Department, […]
Being Ill in Any Way Is Better When You Are Not Alone
Jess shares how her “face-to-face” battle with mental illness has made her a stronger person. A few years ago, Jess would have told you, “my disorder has destroyed me.” But after consciously confronting her illness head on and developing a caring support system, she no longer views her anxiety as a weakness, but as a […]
My Illness may have my body, but it does not have me
“Chronic illness is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever had to go through in my life. It often feels nearly impossible to wake up every morning and continue the fight. There have been so many times throughout my journey where I didn’t want to fight anymore, wanted to give into my illness– let my body win.”
My Inspiration To Become An RRT
Most people find their inspiration in a parent, an older sibling, or even someone famous. For me, it was my younger sister – a beautiful person inside and out.
High Functioning Anxiety
I have high functioning anxiety. What is high functioning anxiety, you ask? Strangely, it doesn’t mean that my anxiety is constantly functioning and that it is constantly in effect. It actually has nothing to do with the amount of anxiety you feel on a daily basis. This is the quote that hit home for me. […]
Looking Forward When You Fall Back
Most of the friends that I have talked with about my Osteomyelitis have been very supportive, but they still don’t fully ‘get it.’ So far, I’ve had two surgeries in the past two months (both emergencies) to stop the spread of the infection in my bones. The first surgery led to the amputation of my […]
How I Found A Few Extra Spoons In A Haystack Of Spirochetes
Recently, I was asked to describe how Lyme Disease has changed my life. Originally, the words that I used to try to answer this question reeked of pain. Truthfully, yes, this disease has broken me in ways I never thought possible. But I can’t go there. Going there would only be a setback. If you […]