Medical

But I plead with you to pay attention — If you are having trouble viewing this content, here’s how to fix that. You may know that I have been alone all this week. I am pet and house sitting. I’ll be here, on my own, for the next 6 days. Aloneness suits me. …

I’m raising money to pay off medical debt from multiple surgeries for my chronic illnesses. — Hello dear readers, Today I have a favor to ask. I’ve been writing on Medium for several years now. During that time I have shared intimate glimpses into some of the challenges I’ve been through: escaping a repressive religion, advocating for reproductive rights, working to put myself through college, and rescuing horses. But…

When everything you read actually makes it worse — When I was first diagnosed with lymphedema, I was endlessly looking at medical journals and pictures and trying to figure out how I could possibly have it when my legs did not resemble other cases. The symptoms sounded the same, and many things were similar, but it still bothered me…

A memory shared is a memory treasured. — An ill young woman of twenty-five, I found myself riding the clinic pony with stirrups. The road trip to Yosemite was off to a rough start. At 9 p.m. I scored the intern Doctor Newbie (yes, I’ve named him!) at the emergency walk-in clinic. He was nervous. He paced around…

It’s sad, really — I never thought I would be in a position like this. To explain just what kind of pickle I am in right now, you need to know my situation. I support a family on what I make from my social security disability, and I have for at least the last…