Rare Disease Day is observed globally on the last day in February with hopes of raising research and awareness for people living with rare medical conditions such as Fibrosing Mediastinitis. While each disease may affect a small number of people, together they impact millions of families. Today is a day to educate, share stories, and remind those walking a rare journey that they are not alone…because alone we are rare, together we are strong!!
I appreciate all of you who have continued to reach out to me this past year to see how I am holding up regardless of my lack in blogging. I am so excited to share that one of the reasons for not writing is because I am coming up on that full year mark without having an angioplasty!!!
Since 2012, I have made exactly 100 trips to Iowa City for my rare disease after it began progressing again. Thirty-four of those visits have been angioplasties. Thirty-four times going in to open veins and arteries that scar tissue keeps trying to close. Thirty-four recoveries and wondering how long it will last or if my body would finally give out. This March will be the only full year I have gone without any type of angioplasty since the progression of my disease, minus when I made it one year in 2019!
I still have plenty of challenging days but the Lord has been gracious and filled my life with so many blessings in the midst of this! I am beyond grateful for a God who continues to draw me closer to Him and for the incredible support He has surrounded me with! Thanks for being a part of my journey and I will make sure to update next month after my scans as to if and when I will need angioplasty!
Always find something to smile about, especially on the hard days…
Faith, Family, Cows, Fibrosing Mediastinitis #mylife 