sustainable systems & storytelling
Six years ago, I was diagnosed with a condition I had never heard of, despite living in the epicenter of fungal respiratory chaos. Three years ago, I learned that the infection had disseminated to the soft tissues of my leg, hiding behind my patella, clinging to my shins, and padding the soles of my feet.... Continue Reading →
Last week was relatively uneventful, that is until I started compiling medical records for my new Integrative Doctor. My goodness, there are a lot. My father-in-law, a retired radiologist, reviewed my PET-CT scan back in September and didn't see anything noteworthy. My vital organs were good. Thus, when I received the radiology/oncology report back, I... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I received a call just moments before 5pm. An infectious disease doctor at a local hospital wanted to see to me. The medical assistant asked, "Can you come in tomorrow at 8am?" I did not hesitate for a moment in my response. I arrived and the doctor asked me to go over the entire... Continue Reading →
I spent thirty minutes talking with my infectious disease doctor and nurse practitioner this morning. How am I progressing (or not)? What are my prospects? How does my recovery compare to similar cases? Would a different diet, more sleep, or alternative medicine help? "I don't expect you to get worse," she offered. "Gradually, over the... Continue Reading →
Lightly child, lightly. I have been repeating Aldous Huxley's words over and over in my head for days. It's become my mantra, a reminder that it's okay to lay low and go slow. Entering month five of treatment, my lab work has remained stable as my physical condition has declined. At time of posting, I'm... Continue Reading →
Cancer is rampant in the world and in the media. Nearly all of us have been affected, whether personally diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or watching a friend's battle on social media. It's scary and it's disarming. And yet, it's a topic that comes up in the news and conversation. People understand, even to the... Continue Reading →
After completing my sixteen-week trial run on a high-dose anti-fungal medication with no improvement, I asked my infectious disease doctor what our treatment plan would be moving forward. I could hear a small sigh over the phone before she replied, "For every 100 people I diagnosis with valley fever, I encounter 100 different diseases. The... Continue Reading →
My anti-fungal medication has been rough. Basically, my entire body has withered up like a raisin, my liver is confused as hell, and I look like death. My boyfriend recently made a joke about the movie Alien, I think proposing a Halloween costume he saw online that involved a pregnancy belly, doll parts, and red paint. My... Continue Reading →
Valley fever is an infection caused by inhaling the microscopic spores of a particular fungus that lives in the arid soil of Arizona and California. For some, the infection is completely asymptomatic, while for others the disease can be fatal. My Story I was first diagnosed with valley fever 3 1/2 years ago. The fungal... Continue Reading →
I've been to over 50 doctors’ appointments so far this year, all of which inevitably involved a blood pressure test. The physicians typically just scrunch up their face ask if I've been tested for anemia. I reply, "I think so," and we move on. Last month, a new doctor took my blood pressure and was... Continue Reading →
The pulmonologist looked at me, his wrinkled forehead scrunching further as his eyes focused in on my face. "That rash on your leg is a signature symptom of valley fever, but I've never seen the disease re-activate. The CT scan of your lungs is clear. You're sitting here with me. Nah, it's not valley fever," he... Continue Reading →
I believe wholeheartedly that every experience offers a life lesson, and the universe never doles out more than we can handle. That being said, I'm pretty sure there is currently an angry flock of lessons trailing along behind me like Canadian geese, hissing and nipping at my ankles. Lesson #1: Slow Down, Sweetheart This weekend,... Continue Reading →
Two weeks ago, I wrote about being sick, broke, and homeless. Repeatedly, I've been reminding myself that it's all about perspective. My in-laws just returned from India, where poverty was uncomfortably rampant. My good friend's boyfriend moved out without explanation, and then returned back the next day with the loaded moving truck and a half-hearted... Continue Reading →
