Finding Silver Linings Through My Work as a Health Advocate Has Helped Me Live with MS for 38 Years
Every day, I lean into support, community and curiosity
Every day, I lean into support, community and curiosity
When my biological clock started ticking, I had no idea how many challenges I would face
Don’t stop researching, and never accept that this is just how it is
For me, the mental benefits of taking an anti-obesity medication are just as important as the physical benefits
Being open and honest with myself and my colleagues helped me balance work and bladder cancer
Ser abierta y honesta conmigo y mis colegas fue útil para encontrar un equilibrio entre el trabajo y el cáncer de vejiga
Despite having many surgeries over the years, I live a happy, healthy life with heart disease
I embrace support, self-care and self-advocacy
Now I see a difference thanks to my own persistence
Ahora veo una diferencia gracias a mi persistencia
I go booze-free in January for me — not for anyone else
The pain was unbearable, but with a rheumatologist, I’ve finally found an effective treatment
After months of not finding answers, a Facebook support group led me to the answers I needed to get better
Fundraising and advocating for research puts hope within my reach
Thanks to a clinical trial, living with beta thalassemia is now so much easier
Gracias a un ensayo clínico, vivir con talasemia β ahora es mucho más fácil
After EMDR helped me process my sister’s suicide, I decided to help others through EMDR therapy
In my bladder cancer advocacy work, I see many other women overlooked by medical professionals
I encourage everyone to embrace the HIV-preventive medication, no matter their sexual orientation
Fortunately, I wound up with a supportive team of healthcare providers who helped me get well
As a young mom and recent immigrant to the United States, I thought my life was moving and changing quickly — but cancer was moving even faster
Puesto que era una mamá joven y que había inmigrado recientemente a Estados Unidos, pensaba que mi vida se movía y cambiaba rápidamente; sin embargo,el cáncer estaba avanzando aún más velozmente
I wasn’t taken seriously until I developed symptoms of organ failure
I wish doctors had listened to me, and I wish I’d known to advocate for myself