Hey everyone! I'm sure you have all noticed how absent I've been on my blog and how I haven't been posting much on Instagram. I thought it would be a good idea to give you all an update.

Life Lately

The past couple of weeks have been difficult. Since getting back from Baltimore, I've been extremely tired and the new medications are giving me some pretty bad side effects. 

I've also been seeing so many doctors since I got back. The day we flew home, I saw my nephrologist and my cortisol level was low, so tomorrow, I'm going to get a test to see if I have Addison's disease. Thankfully, it can be controlled with cortisol supplements and if needed, some steroids. 

My mom preparing my fluids for my infusion. 

My Appointment With Dr. Francomano

For those of you who don't know, I have a rare genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). This condition causes defective connective tissue which is basically the glue within your body. Many people experience hypermobile joints, painful joints, stretchy and soft skin, scarring problems and many other symptoms. Dr. Francomano is one of the top doctors for this condition and people travel from all over to see her. It takes over a year to get an appointment with her. On Tuesday, I had my appointment with her and I wanted to share it with you.

My Health

My health has never been that great but in 2009, it all got a lot worse. Out of the blue, I started getting extreme hip pain. I've always been use to pain but this was different, it hurt to do anything. We went to my doctor and he did a bunch of blood work, one of which was Lyme disease. At that time, they said that it was impossible to get Lyme in North Carolina, but my doctor being the doctor he was, he tested me for it anyways. And that is what it was. 

I was treated with antibiotics and it went away but by the time 2010 came around, I was still getting the hip pain. At this time I was a competitive swimmer, and a very good one. He ordered X-Rays for my hips and the technicians said they were normal so he did some more blood work which reviled that I had a autoimmune disease. 

For those who don't know, an autoimmune disease is when your own immune system attacks your body like it's a virus.