31/12/2025
Story Time: I was born in 1981 with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart defect characterized by an open valve in the heart. Consequently, I underwent open-heart surgery at 18 months and had one additional surgery by the age of two. I now have cornary artery disease. During my kindergarten years, around the age of five or six, I frequently missed school due to recurring illnesses and hospitalizations, ultimately necessitating repetition of the first grade. This period was marked by numerous missed school days, doctor appointments, hospital stays, and diagnostic tests. For years, I struggled with weight gain and remained underweight. At 12 years old, medical professionals diagnosed me with lactose intolerance, prompting my mother to remove dairy products from my diet. Despite these efforts, I continued to experience severe symptoms until I was approximately 14 years old. I went into remission. During my pregnancies, I suffered from severe hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition far more debilitating than typical morning sickness. However, when I turned 24, my symptoms returned with increased severity, prompting an extensive series of doctor visits, emergency room trips, and diagnostic tests. A turning point came when I watched episodes of Dr. Oz, Grey's Anatomy, and ER that coincidentally discussed cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). Armed with this knowledge, I consulted my doctor and underwent further testing, ultimately receiving a diagnosis of CVS at the age of 24 or 25. Although this diagnosis provided clarity, it also presented new challenges, as CVS is incurable and often requires management through medication and lifestyle adjustments. Unfortunately, my condition has progressed, and at 38, I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a complication of CVS. Additionally, I have developed numerous secondary conditions, including low iron, potassium, magnesium, and calcium levels, GERD, a hiatal hernia, IBS with both diarrhea and constipation, and two autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which are not directly related to CVS but often flare up concurrently. At 44 years old, my experiences with these medical conditions have motivated me to pursue a career in the medical field and create this platform to advocate for awareness and share my story, following the loss of my previous page due to hacking. Thank you for reading my story. Thank you for understanding, and please share yours.

