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Jill’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Breast Cancer)

by 15 Comments
Dec
12
2011
Jill's Story (Breast Cancer) LR

2010….what a GREAT year for me! I had a beautiful family, I started my own photography business, then I heard the words "you have breast cancer". Okay, so that last part wasn't GREAT…but it did change my life for the BETTER. In September 2010, I felt a lump that seemed to be on my rib, so it was hard for me to determine what it was. So, I ignored it for a month. When it didn't go away, I went to the doctors. The doctor felt it, and said, "I really don't think it's anything to worry about" giving me that look as if to say "you are only 37, you can't have breast cancer". Luckily, I went with my gut. What followed was a mammogram, ultrasound, and a biopsy all within a few days. That following Friday I was told that I had breast cancer, DCIS. PHEW…I thought. That is the best type to have…if you have to have any. I was told I would only need sugery to remove the disease, radiation for 6 weeks, and I would have to take Tamoxafin for 5 years. Okay, I can handle that, at least I can … [Read more...]

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The Liver Girl’s Story

by 5 Comments
Oct
28
2010
My family

Hey Guys n Dolls! I realized that in these few months of writing I never properly introduced myself. (This realization came to me because of one of FLAGC newest features "Power Stories" where you can tell everyone your story... Awesome feature BTW) So I figured you guys might want to know a little more about the person behind the liver articles... who holds such wisdom... hehehe (kidding) Well, it all started on a dark and stormy night on February 17th, 1981 (just kidding... it could have been a nice sunny day for all I know... just being dramatic) Either way it doesn't really start then anyways, though I will say, my poor mom really had a rough time with my childhood (besides the Hepatitis C... We didn't even know about that one yet). I wasn't wild, but boy, name a weird sickness and I had it. How many children do you know that have spinal taps, EEG's,  and other strange studies done before the age of 7. Doctors thought my mom was crazy with all the things I was tested for. Most … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Liver Disease Tagged With: , , ,

Fallen Warrior: My Hysterectomy Experience Part 2

by 15 Comments
Oct
05
2010
fallen

Click Here to Read Part 1 A few minutes later, the nurse came into the room and announced that they were ready. Without any warning, the tears came swiftly and in abundance.  My husband hugged me and I couldn't let him go.  I can remember repeating "I can't do this. I don't know if I can do this." We both cried and friends and family gathered around for a time of prayer.  One of the ladies at my church had knitted me a prayer shawl and the nurses were kind enough to allow me to take it back with me. I finally let me husband go and he gave my hand one final squeeze and they wheeled me out the double doors.  Once in the OR, they moved me to the table.  A nurse with kind eyes and a sweet smile peered over me and said that my doctor was on the way down so they could go ahead and give me the sedation or I could wait to speak with her if I had any questions.  I had loads of questions going through my head so I wanted to stay awake. Before I knew it I woke up in recovery with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Endometriosis Tagged With: , , , ,

The End of the Beginning

by 4 Comments
Sep
30
2010
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So here’s the rest of my story. Or at least the rest of the beginning of my story. The Monday following Thanksgiving in 2008 I called my doctor for the referral to a rheumatologist. When they called me back they said they had made me an appointment. In January. I knew there was no way I could wait that long. At that point I could barely walk. It was all I could do to pick Avery up out of his crib. So I called every rheumatologist in the area until I found one that could see me the very next week. At my first appointment with the rheumatologist, she took note of my symptoms - morning stiffness that lasted for hours, pain and swelling in almost every joint, fatigue, etc. She ordered blood work and X-rays of my hands, feet, knees, and hips. I went back a week later, on December 18, 2008, and heard those dreaded words. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sero-negative RA, to be exact, which simply means that my blood does not show a rheumatoid factor. Turns out a lot of RA patients don’t have … [Read more...]

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Introducing Me…and my RA

by 7 Comments
Sep
29
2010
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Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Aubrey and I’ve been living (quite begrudgingly) with Rheumatoid Arthritis for more than two years now. That’s not a lot of time to become an “expert” about any subject (with the possible exception of “types of celery”) and I hope I never become so presumptuous as to consider myself one. What I am, though, is a woman determined to fight this disease and to help others do the same. My story begins February 15, 2008. That’s the day my son, Avery, was born. My twin daughters, Alana and Alexis, were two and a half. Just as I did with the girls, I started breastfeeding Avery from day one. He took right to it and we had no problems whatsoever. He was an almost perfect baby! It broke my heart to put him in daycare when he was eight weeks old, but I was needed at my job. In June of that year, I took one of my thrice daily breaks at work to pump in the supply closet. I sat on the floor “criss-cross applesauce” style like I always … [Read more...]

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Fallen Warrior: My Hysterectomy Experience Part 1

by 13 Comments
Sep
22
2010
fallen

It was a beautiful spring day when our battle over whether to pursue adoption or IVF (in vitro fertilization) was decided. It was not a decision that was made lightly as it weighed heavy on our thoughts for weeks.  My husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for 2 1/2 years but had been unsuccessful even with fertility treatments.  We tried cycles of both Clomid and Femera as well as 2 IUIs (intrauterine insemination).  Month after month, we would be optimistic only to be let down. Let me say upfront that we had both male and female infertility.  Endometriosis does not necessarily mean an infertility sentence.  In fact, statistics show that 80% of women with endo will not have any problems getting pregnant (source).  So please don't let my story scare you.  After all, it is just my story. We began to wrestle with the decision of what to do next after we were told that IVF would be our only hope of getting pregnant.  IVF is expensive and there are no … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Endometriosis Tagged With: ,

Fibromyalgia and CFS – An Introduction

by 28 Comments
Jul
29
2010
Fibromyalgia and CFS - An Introduction

Being as I am a new phenomenon to many of you (!), I figure I should at least introduce myself and what I plan to be writing about for The Fight Like A Girl Club. My name is Annie Martin.  I am 23 years old.  I have been mysteriously ill since roughly 13 years of age.  Over the past ten years, I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome – as well as Celiac Disease, Asthma, general autoimmune attacks, and multiple mental health issues. But enough about me, I’m here to give you the all the goodies (and not-so-goodies) about the first two controversial, misunderstood illnesses.  Also, I personally like to call the latter ME/CFS – as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sounds as though the person afflicted is just lazy and wants to take a nap...which is not the case at all. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) – An Introduction A)     It sucks. B)     At least it isn’t fatal. C)     It … [Read more...]

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Fighting Liver Disease Like A Girl

by 4 Comments
Jul
29
2010
Combat Girl Liver Disease

Right now, I am less than 2 weeks away from a partial liver transplant. I am 29 years old and finding out you have any life-threatening disease is scary (to put it mildly), but finding out you have a disease that carries the stigma of Cirrhosis… well, let’s just say it sometimes makes it tough to handle like a “dignified” gal. I can honestly say, being that I found out I had Hepatitis C when I was 12 years old; I have had a lot of experience with this. However, (in my expert opinion) I also feel that if you are going to have a diseased organ – the liver is the way to go. (As if we had a choice) Why do I say that? Well, not to be biased, but the liver is an amazing organ! Not only because of all of its jobs it usually completes seamlessly, but because it is one of the only organs that can regenerate itself. Why is that important for us? Because that means in most situations, the liver CAN heal! Liver disease is not a death sentence, even if it advances to cirrhosis, there … [Read more...]

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EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) – My Story

by 26 Comments
Jul
29
2010
EDS - My Story

Greetings fellow FLAGC Members! My name is Dani and I am honored to be the official writer for all things EDS. In case you’re wondering what EDS stands for…it is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. EDS is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen (a protein in connective tissue). The collagen in connective tissue helps tissues to resist deformation (decreases its elasticity). In the skin, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, and visceral organs collagen plays a very significant role and with increased elasticity, secondary to abnormal collagen, pathology results. Depending on the individual mutation, the severity of the syndrome can vary from mild to life-threatening. There is no cure, and treatment is merely supportive at best, including close monitoring of the digestive, excretory and particularly the cardiovascular systems. Corrective surgery may help with some of the problems that may develop in certain types of EDS, although the … [Read more...]

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Newly Diagnosed With Lupus? – So Now What?

by 37 Comments
Jul
27
2010
tiff

Hello Lovies! My name is Tiffany Marie and I'm a twenty-four year old luscious lavender butterfly living in New York City! Recently diagnosed with Lupus SLE this past January 2010. I can remember having lupus symptoms like joint pain and extreme fatigue as far back as six years ago. For many of us Lupus has always been a silent disease until that day we are struck with a severe flare up. The road has been rough, but I'm glad to finally know my health status after being in the dark about it for so many years! One of the biggest challenges I have come across after being diagnosed with Lupus was the attempt to share that knowledge and understanding with friends and family. How often have we been called "lazy, oblivious, slow", and many other painful names because of the misunderstandings of others not comprehending our body and battles with Lupus? It may seem daunting at first, but I've found thee best way to tackle it after much trial & error! The FIRST step is acceptance. We … [Read more...]

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