I was born in 1958 with a congenital heart defect. I spend my child hood in hospitals off and on until I became a teen. I had open-heart surgery in the summer of 1976 to fix the issue and went on with my life, gave birth without complications in 1977 to my now 38 year old daughter.
In 1995, (after giving birth to my second daughter also without complications in 1993), I broke my back slipping on some ice while walking to work. I endured physical therapy and learned to walk again. Once again, my life continued...
In 2000 was diagnosed with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. Because of my previous heart issues I was not a candidate for Biologic medications and began taking over-the-counter medications and drinking heavily because of the pain..
I was granted disability in 2004 but could only afford Medicare part A (hospital only). So, as I have always taken vitamins and supplements all my life, I spoke with a nutritionist to see if Alternative Medicine and a diet change could help me rather than spending money I didn't have to see a doctor.
I continued on this way for over 10 years, until my then boyfriend, youngest daughter and I lost our home in 2009. My daughter moved in with her boyfriend and his family to finish high school, my boyfriend and I moved into a motel. I began to gain an enormous amount of weight and had no idea why.
It seems in retrospect, my soon to happen organ failure was in full bloom. I began seeing things that weren't there and no one else could see. I am told it was because my excessive drinking and exceeding the recommenced amount of OTC medication caused my stomach to develop 7 ulcers which were bleeding into my organs, causing the weight gain (75 pounds in one month, I am 5'11 and my normal weight is 150 lbs. I entered the hospital weighing 285 lbs.) and was instrumental in my organ failure.
Near the end of November 2010 (I don't remember the exact date) I finally collapsed and woke up in a hospital after being in a coma for 7 days.
Prognosis, multiple organ failure of my liver and kidneys, my heart and ER doctors were the only thing that kept me alive.
I spent 16 days in the hospital, unfortunately the hospital was intent on having me sign up for organ transplants (which I flatly refused) we argued and I had my boyfriend carry me back to the motel room to rehab myself rather than go to a nursing home.
I was so weak from the medications used to drain the blood from my tissues that I couldn't lift myself out of bed. I lost the 75 pounds I gained in less than three weeks which destroyed some tendons and muscles in my legs leaving me wheelchair bound and left me with a hernia next to my navel in my stomach.
My boyfriend drove my wheelchair and I to all my follow up appointments and paid for the $1500.00 a month medications I was told were the ONLY thing that would keep me alive.
Meanwhile back at the motel, I lifted cans of soup to strengthen my arms which enabled me to finally lift myself out of bed. Used Icy Hot and a heating pad on my legs to stretch my tendons and muscles in my legs to strengthen then to stand and eventually to walk without assistance. My wheelchair is now gathering dust. I do use a cane on occasion because of my RA.
I had the good fortune of excellent follow up care and my own stubbornness, then I was evaluated after 5 months of my own rehabilitation at one of the finest hospitals in our area.
I was told I no longer needed those medications or their side effects and if I could find something with herbs, vitamins to do the thing for me then I should try them and see what happens.
At that point I weight 125 lbs (I looked like a pregnant skeleton from a 3rd World country) and had to have a needle put into my stomach to withdraw the protein build up in my stomach as my liver was still functioning a very low level. They also suggested a low sodium diet to aide in my Liver & Kidney recovery and of course STOP DRINKING (which I definitely have done, I am also very careful with ANY medication OTC or not), they were willing to see what would happen.
As of August 8th, 2012 I had fully recovered from the organ failure. I did not need to under go either a liver or kidney transplant, no longer have Fribromyalgia.
I now handle the pain of my RA with herbs, vitamins, chiropractic care, acupuncture, meditation, yoga and because I live in Colorado medical marijuana. I handle my ulcers and hernia in much the same way.
My point of sharing this with you is, I never gave up, I caused my own problems and have since learned to handle them in what is the best way for me and my very broken body.
You know your body better than anyone. Medicine can't solve everything and if you find a doctor or a hospital that is willing to learn along with you how to overcome an illness, sometimes the student can become the teacher and I believe is better for everyone.
x
Cindy's Dance with Death
Covid survivor 12 months on still with long covid❤️🩹
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Where there’s life there’s hope
