Hi, I’m Jessica! ♥ I made this blog to vent about my chronic illness and pain in a positive, humorous, and constructive way. My hope is that I can interact with others who can relate with my story and develop a feeling of solidarity and community.
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ABOUT MY ILLNESS
If you would like to read a summary of my journey through my illnesses in order to better understand me, I would be happy to share. Please keep reading only if you wish:
I have been a spoonie for almost 8 years. After puberty I developed constant chronic bladder pain with & without recurrent UTI. I have never been officially diagnosed with anything, including interstitial cystitis, and I still live with daily bladder pain.
Nearly 2 years ago I showed my first signs of Ciprofloxacin toxicity. I was prescribed the antibiotic 9 times in 1 year for recurrent UTI. I had no idea of the risk of severe side effects at the time. Since being floxed I have been diagnosed with trochanteric hip bursitis, achilles tendonitis, and chronic sacroiliac pain. I also have all over body pain, often in my shoulders, elbows, and back. Typical therapy has not been able to cure my multiple-site tendonitis and I suffer limited mobility and pain.
Due to the weakening of my tendons, my TMJ also malfunctioned. I slipped a disc in my jaw joint over a year ago and it has been locked ever since. Thousands of dollars later, and again, typical therapies have not fixed my TMJ. Because of this I have limited ability to eat solid foods. The pain in my jaw can become extremely severe; easily reaching a 9 on the pain scale on bad days.
Besides chronic tendonitis, I also developed peripheral neuropathy, primarily in my feet from Cipro-toxicity. It manifests in a visibly red burning inflammation, as if I just dunked my feet in boiling water, at room temperatures above 75 degrees. Because of this I have to keep my house very cold so my feet feel normal, and when I go outside I just have to ignore the pain in my feet.
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MY GOAL WITH THIS BLOG
The past 2+ years have seen a long string of doctors visits, physical therapy appointments and late night online research sessions. Besides my wonderful boyfriend, I have gone through this alone. I am fully dedicated to healing and recovering, to whatever degree my body is physically capable. My hope is to find others like me; those working towards as happy & healthy a life as is possible for them, despite their illnesses or physical challenges. Please feel free to PM me anytime if you would like to connect and talk. I don’t know anyone quite like me in person/“real life”, but I know there are many out there! Please reach out if you are so inclined. (: For anyone who stumbles upon it, I hope this blog will be a reminder that you are not alone.
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ABOUT ME
I am an artist and a student! I am slooowly working towards a BFA in Graphic Design from UH. I am definitely a jack-of-all-trades sort of artist. I create hand sculpted and painted jewelry which I sell at shoplolipop.etsy.com (this has been my primary source of income since Highschool, so you know I’m not rich lol). I also make digital art which you can find on my main blog @lava-pop. When I’m not creating art or crafting I’m probably kicking ass on Overwatch, playing Animal Crossing, or lurking for funny memes online. If any of this interests you 1) lets be friends &2) check out my side blog for my side interests! @sleepy-virgo
