fbpx

Tag: preteen

My Endless NJ Tube Series

The hospital room I stayed in when my NJ tube wasn't enough to keep my electrolytes in balance

If you wanted to look up the word sick in the dictionary, you would probably find a picture of me. Ever since I was eight years old and started struggling with muscle fatigue and appetite loss I have been on a downward trend in my health. By the time I was ten I had had my first NG tube. This was followed by my first surgery when the NG tube caused a bowel obstruction. Then I had to deal with an even thicker NG tube to suction. This was followed by my first NJ tube.

I spent a good chunk of fifth grade in the hospital, and went home from the hospital with the NJ tube still in place and a diagnosis of severe gastroparesis. The rest of my childhood was spent racking up frequent flier miles at my local children’s hospital. At age thirteen my heart rhythm disturbances took … Find Out What Happens Next

{ Add a Comment }

A Mom and Her Love and Other Safety Nets

My mother smiling at me because she loves me so much

Trying to see things the way my mom used to, back before I got my medical diagnoses confirmed shortly before my eleventh birthday, was like looking into a totally distorted funhouse mirror.  She thought my body was healthy and my anxiety was the cause of all my health issues.

My mom who loves me unconditionally but had a distorted viewpoint on what was wrong with me
The funhouse mirror my mom saw things through

My mom always fights for me no matter what, anyway, to make sure I’m doing ok. She would even stand her ground with the nurse and the doctors if she didn’t think they were right. After the elevator episode, she never left my side.

I’d had a weekly blood test to check my electrolytes that Dr. Monroe, my pediatrician kept warning me were “circling the drain”. Dr. Monroe wanted to blame it on an eating disorder. She was doing weekly bloodwork. It just kept looking worse and worse due to my intense vomiting, … Find Out What Happens Next

{ 1 Comment }