The picture with me in the coral top was taken on March 22, 2013 and I remember the date clearly because it was at a farewell luncheon from my job at a law firm. The other picture was taken on June 11, 2014. I had decided to snap a selfie and then do a side by side collage to show the results of my weight loss efforts up to that point and the evidence was clear. However, the significance of June 11, 2014 is far more important that showcasing my new "slim down". That date, my friends and readers was a pivotal day in my life---- it was the day I WON. I was scheduled on that day to have my 12th surgery for excision of an abscess related to Hidradenitis Suppurativa. A few weeks prior I had met with my surgeon and I was tired, I was depressed, I was broken, I was afraid and get this, I was also stronger & more determined than I had been in all the years I had fought HS. We had carefully decided the surgery date and it was indicated that I would need around 6 months off from work to fully recover. It was then that out of my despair a hope emerged. I told my surgeon about the Whole30 & other lifestyle changes I had made and that I was confident that somehow the abscess would go away (it had to) and that I would no longer need the surgery. I asked him to give me his strongest antibiotic to fight the infection and I assured him that I would come back if I needed medical attention. So the battle ensued and raged as the weeks leading up to the surgery crept closer. I ate a super clean Whole30 Autoimmune Protocol Diet, took supplements, took the antibiotics, reduced my daily stressors and prayed fervently. Can I tell you that I won the battle? There was no trace of the abscess from that day to this one. Needless to say, I did not have that surgery. That was the first surgery date I had ever beaten. Join me today as I discuss my battles and eventual triumphs with Hidradenitis Suppurativa and my efforts to raise awareness of this disease/condition/illness on the radio talk show: JEFFREY with Jeff Lloyd on Star 106.5 and Cable Channel 5 at 4:30pm. #HidradenitisSuppurativa #AwarenessWeek #outintheopen #puttinganendtoprivatepain #stompingoutsecretsuffering