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Advocate for Yourself

The great conundrum I face at 35 years old is realizing that my doctor looked me in the face yesterday and said, "Well because of your age..." Wait, what? When did I get "old" by medical terms? 

I have health problems. I have pain like I am old. In fact my husband, D, never lets me forget that one time in my late 20's a doctor diagnosed my feet as being that of 70 year old! For the next month when we drove past a retirement home, he offered to drop my feet off. HAHAHA 

I have heard crazy things over the years, but I had to stop in my tracks yesterday. The initial blow was her words telling me "Because of your age", but her further explanation sent alarm bells going off! 

You see I have spent the last 2 years working on a health journey. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes during COVID and shortly after I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disease with no treatment or cure. I refused to accept that. I pushed my morbidly obese body and shifted my mind set. 

I am proud to say I am down 70 lbs, but the pain is getting worse. This makes no sense. I decided to ditch my ding-dong rheumatologist and get a second opinion. If it doesn't feel right, even if a doctor tells you, keep pushing to advocate for yourself!

The new Rheumatologist took one exam of my knees and confirmed it's definitely arthritis. SHIT! She believes my entire body has arthritis and I don't have Fibromyalgia, but more testing is needed. I am relieved to know there could be a treatment for my body that is riddled with arthritis and causing chronic pain unlike fibromyalgia which has no treatment.  

Yesterday I gave 9 vials of blood to test for everything because I already have another auto-immune disease so this will rule out other diseases. In a few weeks, I will go for a 5-hour block for 15 x-rays! That means I have 15 joints that hurt. UGGH. 

In mid-September I should have a more clear picture. Join me as I pivot and continue my journey! I want to use my physical pain to empower myself to change. I can do it and so can you! 

Wishing you Light, love, & happiness-

K

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