"Casserole of Diagnoses": Megan from The Life of Me, Smile Magee
I have met so many people as you have probably read about with interviews. However, Megan is different. She was the first person I knew who had cancer and didn’t die from it…. Asking her to guest post on my blog means a lot. This is a different style as it is not an interview style but it tells her story. Besides her many diagnosis's she listed I am sure she wracked up more since I asked her to type this.
When I was a kid, I thought EVERYONE was in pain , and no one wanted to be a wimp and complain about it .
How it all Started
In 2nd grade when I learned that wasn’t the case, my world was absolutely rocked. I spent YEARS trying to hide the fact that I was “ different “ than everyone else .
Then at the age of 14 , when good old puberty walked hand in hand with a complete and utter health spiral. That secret became nearly impossible to hide .
My journey with chronic illness is different than most . Because as I lost, and continue to lose aspects of my physical health. I've had to constantly find myself
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ42CMKsh5s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The Diagnosis
Through roller coasters leading to multiple diagnosis’s : Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease , CVID, Glaucoma, Dysautonomia , Asthma, Gastroparesis , chronic migraines , tremors , ITP, and even a brief battle with DFSP ( a soft tissue sarcoma ) , and probably more diagnoses to come .
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRz6qWtM-MG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
What the Diagnosis have Taught Me
I've been left bruise, and bloody (at times quite literally lol) Wondering how much time I have left . But all in all my illnesses have taught me the importance of today … and the importance of life in general.
Because the ability to eat orally isn't promised .
Your body’s ability to create antibodies isn’t promised
The ability to take a full pain free, oxygen fulfilling breath isn’t promised
Full vision isn’t promised
The ability to laugh , interact, create, sing, exist outside of the 4 walls of the hospital Isn’t promised .
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQoM9owAQQM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
It's a gift.
All these little things are gifts that we all too often take for granted. That I 100000% took completely for granted until I realized they can be taken away. As much as I hate my illnesses .
It's only because of my dances with death. That I appreciate life. And it's amazing how God can use the most horrid of situations, to teach us the most amazing lessons
Advice to others with Diagnosis
To those in a similar situation to me:
Who feel like their physical health is a “casserole" of life threatening conditions baked into one complete and utter disaster. And when asked " where do you see yourself in 5 years ' you want to respond. "Alive .. hopefully" Appreciate every today.. But Never stop fighting for that possibility of a big beautiful future . That hope of something more will get you through your toughest days.
