Personal Narrative: A New Mom With Chronic Illness

I am a very strong willed person. I can never be sad or so I thought.

Many people these days take their health and body for granted. Imagine losing the ability to walk suddenly due to an accident or a disease. This is exactly what had happened to Nancy Mairs, author of the essay “On Being a Cripple.” She herself had lost her ability to walk normally when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or MS, a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system. Her essay talks about her life and dealing with MS. The purpose of the essay is to show how being crippled affects your life and how to stay positive and deal with it.

Carole Lauren is a 44 year old mother of two, a wife, and a school teacher by profession. Her story began 21 months ago when she had a cerebrovascular accident that left her hemiplegic. Almost two years passed since the event. Carole regained most of the lost function in her left leg, ankle, and foot. However, she still has limited function in her left arm and hand. She also has difficulty organizing her thoughts and read her message from a paper. Her story is about a journey through the health care system.

Abraham Maslow once said, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step backward into safety.” My whole life I have had many medical issues typically preventing one from doing a lot of the “normal” things a child can do. But I truly believe that life is not about the circumstances you were given, but much rather how you choose to react to them. So growing up I have always managed to find a way to not let my disabilities hinder me from living my life like everyone else and defy the odds I was handed.

My condition has helped me to understand the plight of others who live with chronic conditions and, more broadly, people who have daily struggles that they have to overcome. I have realized that in life we do not choose what journey we will be given, but we can choose how we will take it on. From my own journey I have learned to see from the perspective of others as they try to navigate their own paths and to look at others not with our eyes but with our hearts.

With three members of my family having breast cancer, it is believed that getting genes tested for mutations would be a intelligent decision. Due to breast cancer being a common disease in my family I decided to investigate scenario three into further detail. I feel it would be beneficial to get my genes tested to determine if I have a chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.

I’ve overcome most of these things with seeing a therapist and also reminding myself that it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to ask for help, we are not alone in this world; people do care. I’ve coped with my disease by seeing a physical therapist, who has taught me many things about how to build muscle to support my weak tendons, ligaments, and so on. I haven’t given up, and that’s where my thesis comes in once again, success is attainable, no matter the struggle. I have succeeded in overcoming my issues, no matter the

For the past four years, I have had nothing but time—one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five days to work on regaining my ability to walk after an automobile accident. Due to this life-changing event, a gap developed in my work history. Unfortunately, during that time my confidence dwindled even as my determination and motivation to get my health back on track was at an all time high.

I’ve just had my last parenting session with Rebecca Meredith and she mentioned that Lisa Williams, her sibling that lives with her aunt Sumner, has not been consulted regarding the potential of caring for Lexi in the event of a negative outcome. Rebecca also mentioned that that she has an Uncle Paul and an auntie Sue on her mother’s side, were they consulted?

Diseases can be one of the most traumatic experiences one can go through on a day to day basis. While many people may experience this, there are many that do not. Everyone can sympathize to the struggles associated with diseases, but few can empathize. This is why I am writing. I want people to know not only the obstacles I had placed before me, but also, how I have conquered over them.

First off, you need to be comfortable with yourself about your chronic illness. Just because

Patients who suffer from Psoriasis face many challenges. This skin disease that has no cure is very difficult to treat and has many physical, emotional and financial problems associated with it. We, as medical assistants need to be made more aware of this disease. We also need to educate ourselves so we can help educate our suffering patients. Through education and counsel, as well as emotional and medical support, we can make a difference in these people’s lives.

The most significant event in my life is that I grew up with a parent with a disability. My dad has been suffering from late-stage liver cirrhosis, waiting for the liver transplant. This terrible illness caused his permanent disability, which has changed my life in many ways. My parents have been battling bravely against the disease, while I picked up much of the house chores and have taken many other responsibilities. My dad’s attitude toward the disease taught me to persevere in the face of difficulties while staying strong. The hardship molded my approach towards adversity and caused me to mature at an accelerated rate.

Mother: I have a case of moderate arthritis from playing tennis and gardening, so my doctors were concerned about my body's ability to carry the pregnancy to full term and handle the full ordeal of the delivery. The birth of our child took a long time. I was in labor for nearly four days. We hired a lovely midwife who has specialized knowledge in handling special births, but after the second day, we decided to load me up in the car and head for the hospital. It was frightening, I suppose, but I also felt a clarity of purpose. I really wanted this baby and I knew that the baby's best chance and my best chance for survival was for me to stay calm and coherent as possible, for the sake of my family.

While being pregnant , and having to tell the loved ones around me was major. I had also been suffering from a very deadly and hereditary disease, I was what some people call a functional alcoholic . And now finding out that I was also pregnant. While my disease was never a big deal to me and my life style. It was now a big change I was not prepared for, and there would be changes I could never prepare for. I couldn’t sleep, hot and cold sweats, withdraw, and shakes. It was now a struggle every day. Have to get out of bed after no sleep the night before, Attending work, having to be accountable for my actions. While most people call me “P” for short they know called me “2P” for two people and two many personalities. It