These Days of Our Lives

This week has been a mixture of ups and downs as usual. My parents are out of town, and they are allowing us to use their house while our house is being remediated for mold. We don’t have much mold in our house, so we are having to guess at which items (if any) will help make our home more conducive to my healing. We may have this work done, and then we may find out that we didn’t need to do it at all and/or that we need to get more work done. We are super grateful to my parents for allowing us to use their house while this work is being completed. Unfortunately, we had a situation arise that caused the remediation plan to be stretched out a week longer than originally planned. Fortunately, we had an extra week built into our schedule and living accommodations, but we really could use the rest of the remediation process to go exactly as planned in order to not put us in a real pickle. Please send us positive energy and/or pray for us that the rest of this remediation process goes as planned.

My mouth is also struggling to heal as it should. I have asked all the right questions and done all of what has been asked of me in this process, so we just have to wait and see. I keep reminding myself that we will deal with whatever happens when it happens. Worrying about it just makes the situation worse.

I am still doing the 30 days of treatment for SIBO, and the treatment is not causing me many side effects at this point other than my usual symptoms. So, that is amazing.

One of the best parts of the week was that I stood up for myself with a medical professional who was not listening to me. I remembered who I am and what I have been through, and told my husband in advance what I needed from him as my support person, and we did it. We followed the plan even in the face of resistance.

I also relied on some of my other support people. I had a video call with a family member and a video call with a really good friend, and these calls helped me remember who I am at my core in the face of the challenges this week.

I often get asked how I am still smiling after all I have been through. Well, the truth is that I am not always smiling. Let’s be real. Crying is really helpful in some situations. But, I do still smile and laugh and try to live my life to the best of my ability while also living alongside all of the health bullshit. I also live in a grateful mindset most of the time. I am very aware of what I have in my life that is positive, and I rarely lose sight of that even in the middle of the bullshit. Finally, I really do believe that my best days are still to come. That might make me foolish, but at least I am a hopeful fool. 🤣

Also, let’s be really real. Our therapist who specializes in chronic illness and trauma is amazing, too! She knows her shit, and she is such a supportive person. We have so much respect for her knowledge and her ability to support us on this journey. She is an excellent therapist, but she is an even better person! (She also texts/emails/tells me that I am a Badass and regularly states how grateful she is to be able to have the honor of supporting us on this journey. ❤️)


Brutal. Home mold remediation delays. Mouth/face healing saga. Medical gaslighting at its finest.

Beautiful. SIBO treatment with fewer side effects than the previous few months. Standing up for myself in the face of resistance from medical professionals. My belief in myself and my ability to heal. My wonderful husband. Video calls with family and friends. Smiling and laughing. Our excellent therapist. Gratitude.


Just another day of . . . This Brutiful Life: The Brutal & Beautiful Moments of My Life.

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