After a lifetime of being misdiagnosed, gaslit, and ignored, I’m sharing my story to connect with others who’ve experienced the same and find community. I want to give doctors, medical professionals, caregivers, and families of us with complex or chronic conditions a candid, honest glimpse into how actions (or inactions), words, and attitudes can have a lasting and often detrimental effect on us. Unfortunately, my story is not unique, nor is it new. My hope is that by sharing it we can work together to make a positive impact and change a system that has been broken for far too long.
I'm back after a little summer break! This episode was a tough one for me. It's been a busy, wonderful, and challenging few weeks. Lots of great things, but also some definitely difficult ones as well.
In this episode, I talk about a very recent conversation I had with my mother that brought up some hard truths (for both of us). I've had to re-examine some aspects of myself throughout the years, and I've realized just how much I masked things. Initially it was to protect myself and those around me, but now 30 years later I'm seeing the long-term effects that it's had on not only me, but my family.
Have you gone through the same thing, or have questions you want to ask? Feel free to reach out: Not.Always.Anxiety@gmail.com. Thank you for listening and sharing!
7 Jul 2023
Episode 5 - Helpful Tips: Self Advocacy!
I think I'm going to start a little series of "Helpful Tips" I've picked up that have worked for me as far as changing the way doctor visits go. This week's topic is probably the most helpful thing I've learned since I started on this journey. Self Advocacy! It was definitely difficult and uncomfortable for me at first, but practice makes it easier each time. I talk about some of the things that have helped me learn how to advocate for myself, and how to be more comfortable and CONFIDENT doing it.
Feel free to reach out if you want more info or clarification on this! not.always.anxiety@gmail.com
29 Jun 2023
Episode 4 - Rheumatology Visit, Hard Weeks, and an Awesome Surprise
*Warning - A little adult language in this one!*
I'm not going to lie, it's been a tough couple weeks. Between having kids home from school, frustrating doctors appointments, and my pain levels being more acute recently, I feel drained, overwhelmed and just desperate to hide.
I go over my recent rheumatologist visit and WHY an official diagnosis ON PAPER matters so much. After having such a rough week, a friend's surprise gift in the mail gives me a huge burst of hope.
23 Jun 2023
Episode 3 - Best. Appointment. EVER!
Wow. I recently had the absolute BEST appointment with a medical professional in my entire life! It's so crazy to me the difference between a provider that just seems to be OVER IT and one that is truly passionate about what they're doing. My provider's positive attitude, curiosity, and drive made this visit my new Gold Standard. I know that it IS possible to have a visit that checks off all your boxes, even some you now added because they were that good. I wish that every appointment was like this for everyone. The only problem now is that the bar has been reset: I know what a truly good appointment is, and I don't want to settle again.
16 Jun 2023
Episode 2 - The Ortho Aftermath
Hi again! This one is about going over a not great orthopedic appointment I recently had and how that affected my home life. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what’s happening within yourself and what you’re going through as a chronic patient, but sometimes the domino effect is even bigger on your loved ones.
25 May 2023
Episode 1 - Introduction
*Contains Adult Language and Subject Matters* Aaaand here we go! Welcome to the first episode of Not Always Anxiety! This one is a brief introduction to myself and what this whole thing is about. I plan on all the episodes being open, honest, and candid, so I’m just going to roll with it and not do a bunch of editing. I hope to release episodes on a somewhat regular, frequent schedule, but I’m a chronically ill person with a family, and life happens. If you want to reach out, the email is Not.Always.Anxiety@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from other people in the same situation!
24 May 2023
Not Always Anxiety (Trailer)
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