The story of Christine
My name is christine I was diagnosed with GPA in August of 2009.
It started with me feeling sick for about 3 weeks and then ending up in the Hospital as I was in full renal failure. I was transferred to another hospital 3 hours away and spent a month there.
While I was there I had a pulmonary hemorrhage and ended up in the ICU. There I started emergency dialysis and treatment which was prednisone a steroid and a an oral cancer treatment.
I was one very sick young lady, being 24. And I survived a disease that should have killed me, the doctors tell me.
Today it’s been 14 Yeats since that stay in hospital and the ICU.
I am an advocate for people with rare diseases and also a health care advocate in general.
It’s been a Rollercoaster of a 14 Yeats but here I am, still here fighting every day.
I won’t lie, some days are harder than others and this disease took a lot from me, however it brought me knowledge and the ability to speak loud about health care. For everyone.
I take one step at a time. Each day is a new day to make a difference and I make the most of my days.
Granulamatosis with polyangiitis is a very difficult disease to navigate. I don’t know many people with it but I did reach out to someone where I live and found out there is a few of us. That is helpful knowing I have some community members who I can chat with.
Every day can’t be a good day but there is something good in every day.
I am grateful for my team of doctors, my supports within my circle and the online supports as well.
One step, one day at a time. Life is a journey to live, live it. ✨️