I’ve been experiencing issues with lower back pain for the last 10 years or so. The pain has gotten worse and more debilitating as I’ve gotten older, to the point to where it hinders my daily life. I’m only 30 years old, so this is a big problem. In fact, it’s been a problem going back to my childhood. The journey has taken endless doctors to figure out what’s going on and why I experience so much pain. I’m happy to report that I finally got a solid answer from a rheumatologist: I have osteoarthritis.
The Day Chronic Illness Saved My Life
Exactly three years ago on this date, my body’s thyroid cells grew little stick figure arms and began waving the white flag. “We surrender! We surrender!” I spent eight hours getting acquainted with the porcelain throne that night but little did I know my life was about to change…and for the better.
From Banker to Blogger
I graduated from Arizona State University in May 2011. I was 22 years old. Needless to say, I was pretty proud of myself! A Bachelor’s degree already at the age of 22 and I now had my entire life ahead of me. But I also needed a job. That was fine with me – I was ready to start making money instead of spending it on student loans. The problem? I couldn’t get a job in my field of study, which was history and culture. I went to school to be a high school history teacher but by the time I was ready to graduate with my Bachelor’s, I still needed to get certified as a teacher. Forget it. I started applying for jobs. On August 1, 2011, I started a job as a banker. Little did I know, it was the beginning of a miserable career that would turn into a dream come true.
Hypothyroid Dog Mom: Living with an Invisible Illness
I’ve been going back and forth on writing this post. It’s about an issue that effects me everyday and it’s changed my life. I have amazing readers and supporters, and in the end, I’m hoping someone can relate, or that I can let a sufferer know that they are not alone. I’ve written personal posts before, such as my chronic pain post, and the outpouring of support was incredible. I love all you guys! Anyways…