CHRONIC ILLNESS



🧠 My Chronic Illness Journey & Chiari Malformation
Living with chronic illness is a journey I never expected to take, but it’s one I’ve learned to navigate day by day. From Chiari malformation to the long list of other conditions I manage, including EDS, endometriosis, adrenal insufficiency, and a VP shunt, my body often feels like it’s fighting me. 🤕
I’m not here to sugarcoat the reality. Some days, it’s hard. REALLY hard. 😞 There are days when I can barely get out of bed, and other days when I push myself too hard and pay the price later. But there are also moments of joy, clarity, and realizing how strong I am 💪. And even on the tough days, there are little bits of joy to be found.
One thing I’ve learned through it all is that it’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to slow down. ⏸️ Slowing down has been one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, especially when my body needs a break. It’s something I still struggle with. 🤦♀️
This page is where I’ll share my experiences, tips, and real moments of living with chronic illness. I’ll offer resources that have helped me along the way and insights into how I manage the day-to-day struggles. 💭 Most importantly, I want this space to be one of connection. You’re not alone, and we can navigate this together. 🙏
So, if you’re living with a chronic illness or know someone who is, I hope you find some comfort here. It’s not always easy, but we can still find ways to appreciate the beauty in the chaos.
✌🏼💜💫

🥴 Hormonal Dance of Doom
Menopause is wild. Some days I feel okayish while other days I want to scream, cry, or nap in the fridge. Hormones go rogue, sleep disappears, and my patience? Yeah, she left the group chat a while ago. I stopped HRT this week, not because it wasn’t helping, but because the break from progesterone every…

🤔 Living with a Body That Doesn’t Follow the Rules
Living with multiple chronic conditions Chiari, EDS, adrenal insufficiency, endometriosis, cluster headaches, and peri menopause to name a few can often feel like navigating an unpredictable maze 🌀. The unpredictability of symptoms, the mental and emotional weight of managing them, and the constant need to be aware of what’s happening in my body is exhausting…

🤕 Living with Chiari — A Decade of Strength, Struggle, and Survival
I was diagnosed with Chiari malformation in November 2013, and life hasn’t been the same since. In January 2014, I had decompression surgery. Not because I had time or options, but because a kink in my brainstem left no choice. That surgery saved my life… but recovery?…..that was a whole other story. 🫣 Post-op complications…