Patient
Story Bank

So today was an extremely rough and emotional day! I placed my mom into a nursing home that specializes in memory care. Deep down I know it's best for her to have care available 24/7 which I've done for a long time. But I can no longer give her that level of care due to me working. I've been mentally and physically exhausted. Being the caregiver definitely isn't for the weak. But what I wasn't expecting was the flood of emotions that I felt leaving. I'm struggling tonight. She was my best friend all of my life. I'm laying here crying and wondering is she okay, is she scared and will she remember me when I go back. They asked us to not come the first week to allow her time to adjust. It was so hard cause she was absolutely triggered and upset, and we snuck out which has made it harder knowing I left her like that and didn't even hug her and tell her I'd see her soon. I don't know, just so overwhelmed with all these different emotions. We found an amazing place and I'm comforted in that, and I'm glad she will have care around the clock now with people who know how to work with our LOs who have this monster of a disease. Big hugs and prayers to all those who take care of their LO. Being a part of a support group has given me comfort knowing that people can relate and understand!

People don't understand what mBC is, and they think it means automatic death. Right from the beginning, I thought I was going to die. I have had many challenges throughout this journey. Arthritis and treatment side effects take away from how I can manage motherhood. My children keep me grounded.

Juanita M. Breast Cancer · Patient

The one thing that bothers me is the lack of affordable dental coverage, and I wish someone had told me about the importance of consistent dental check-ups before all of the decay. Fixing my smile would make me whole again. I really don't feel as confident. It's a constant reminder of my disease and the long-term journey I have.

Hi! My name is Lilly and I have metastatic breast cancer. The cancer started in my left breast and re-occurred on my bones. I have had an interesting journey with broken bones and a lot of pain. Besides the identity of cancer survivor, I have also gained the identity of a disabled person. But if you know me, or you know anyone who knows me, they will tell you that this has not stopped me. I don't let any grass grow under my feet. Fighting for my life has made me value it even more. I also really value my time. I frequently go places and have fun with my friends and family. I just have to use handicap accessible seating. This is the next part of my life but my life is not over. One tip that I can give you is to find a supportive care network that will be there with you for good times and bad. It has really helped me.

Lily Breast Cancer · Patient

As a medical Technologist working in the clinical laboratory, I learned about cholesterol levels in college and actually worked in clinical chemistry laboratory where I performed testing for cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins. My personal journey included the fact that my normal cholesterol and triglycerides levels were both in the low normal range. However this changed as I entered perimenopause and then menopause. I was diagnosed first with a metabolic syndrome, pre diabetes and finally diabetes. My cholesterol level was now outside of the normal range and it was time for me to add a statin to my regime as well as meds for my diabetes. I have stayed at a consistent schedule with my meds and follow a heart healthy diet. It's been over 20 years since diagnosis.

I first found out I had high cholesterol during a routine check-up, and honestly, it surprised me. I didn't feel sick or notice any major symptoms, so hearing that something was off with my health caught me off guard. At the time, I was dealing with a lot of stress and responsibilities, and like many people, I was focused on getting through life more than checking in on my body. Finding out made me realize that high cholesterol can be silent—you don't always feel it, but it can still be affecting you. One of the biggest challenges for me was adjusting my lifestyle. Between work, family, and everything else I had going on, it wasn't always easy to prioritize healthier eating, reduce stress, and stay consistent with check-ups. It took discipline and a mindset shift to start putting my health first. What helped me the most was getting informed through my doctor and doing my own research so I could understand what was really going on in my body. That knowledge gave me the power to start making better choices little by little. Since then, I've been more intentional about what I eat, managing stress, and staying on top of my health. Even small changes have made a difference, and I continue to grow in that area every day. If I could give advice to someone just diagnosed, it would be this: don't ignore it just because you don't feel it. Take it seriously, educate yourself, and start making small changes early. Your future self will thank you.

April High Cholesterol · Patient

I'm a 57 year old male. I first got Covid 19 April of 2020. I was hospitalized for 37 days and 21 days on a ventilator. It changed my life forever. I'm very lucky to still be alive. But I'm not the same man physically and mentally. I'm having better days now. Now between the fatigue and anxiety and constant pain it's never ending.

I've had long COVID since October 2020 and I have not been the same. At first, it was moderate — I was hospitalized no longer than three days, thank God. It was after I returned home from a short day out that everything changed. All at once, my organs and systems were affected: my heart, lungs, kidneys, liver. I deal with constant headaches, anxiety, fight-or-flight responses, and I can't sleep at night. I get so afraid, on top of experiencing every kind of pain imaginable. It's been six years now, and I'm hoping I can continue the fight.

Hi, my name is Michaela Frazier. I'm 28 years old—a proud lupus warrior and advocate. Mother to a beautiful daughter, local DMV realtor and recent college graduate. I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) about six years ago, but my journey with this disease started long before that. At just 12 years old, I witnessed my mother battle lupus nephritis, which led to her needing a life-saving kidney transplant. You'd think that with such a strong family history, doctors would've taken my symptoms more seriously. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. In the early years of my illness, I saw doctor after doctor. Many dismissed my concerns or brushed off the symptoms that were affecting my everyday life—joint pain, extreme fatigue, appetite loss, anemia, and even early fertility challenges. It felt like I was constantly being overlooked, treated like just another patient on the list rather than a unique individual with a story and a voice that deserved to be heard. Lupus is complex. It doesn't present the same in everyone, and it certainly doesn't follow a script. That's why it's so important for healthcare providers to listen—to really listen. My experience taught me the hard truth: in order to survive and thrive with lupus, I had to become my own best advocate. Today, I still live with lupus, and it's not easy. But the difference now is that I stand up for myself. I ask questions. I seek answers. I demand the care I deserve. I explore every opportunity and resource available for people like me because I know how powerful knowledge and self-advocacy can be. I may have lupus, but lupus does not have me. One day I will be lupus free—not just remission. Freedom. Until then I'm breaking barriers for myself and people like me.