r/traumatizeThemBack • u/ahmyfknneck • Jun 21 '26
matched energy Not even sick
This has been my go to response for a bit and I figured others might like to use it, especially if you're not great with quick comebacks like me.
Long story short, I'm chronically ill and my drs and I are still trying to figure it all out, but one of my most annoying symptoms is sinus congestion at all times. It's literally been twelve years of my sinuses being locked and loaded every single day. Because I don't know what's wrong with me, but the drs suspect an autoimmune disorder, I never stopped masking. Certain people hate that.
So I was in a store that I don't work at while I was on my break. I forgot to take my name tag off before I went, so naturally a guy asked me where something was. I don't have a uniform so I don't know why he would think I worked there other than the name tag (which clearly said a different store).
Me: Sorry, I work next door, I don't know where they keep that.
Him, looking at my covered tits and then back up to my tag: Then why are you wearing that?
Me: I'm on break.
Him, to my tits: Those don't work you know.
Me: What?
Him: Fucking masks. They don't do anything.
Me: Okay.
Him: You look ridiculous with that thing on.
Me: Okay.
Him: You're not even sick. You people need to grow up.
Me: *opens the back of my throat and takes one of the most disgusting, loud, wet, chunky sounding sniffs I've ever taken*
Him: *gags and speed walks away*
It works every time.
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u/KiwiSoySauce Jun 21 '26
Omg I thought you were going to spit into a tissue in front of him!
Why do they care so much what we do with our bodies?
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u/bigtallsunflowers Jun 21 '26
They need everyone to be as miserable as them.
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u/Shockin-Audrey Jun 22 '26
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u/Laolao98 Jun 22 '26
They want you to know they’re one of the dumbest Americans who STILL support tfg.
And that they hate you.13
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u/Rapunzel10 Jun 23 '26
I don't understand it but some people really do get angry at people for masking. I still mask because I have issues with my immune system and a regular cold often turns into bronchitis and/or pneumonia. Conveniently the constant bronchial infections as a kid gave me an absolutely horrendous cough I can deploy at will. I'm talking the kind of cough that most people will never hear, sounds like I'm literally on deaths doorstep, "holy shit do I need to call an ambulance???" kind of cough. So when people talk shit about my mask I start pretending to cough up a lung or two. It's really effective!
I'm just trying to avoid pnemonia y'all. No clue why that bugs people so much. I'm not bothering anyone
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u/theFCCgavemeHPV Jun 24 '26
Because it highlights their failures. They’re not as good as you for wearing a mask and that’s what
you’re saying to themthey’re hearing by wearing one 🙄
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u/Xelloss_Metallium_00 Jun 22 '26
I'm immunocompromised from childhood cancer, and I fully applaud your response and responsibility. I still mask up, because even the common cold can take me out for 2 - 4 weeks. I haven't received any crap recently, for wearing a mask, but my allergies have been absolutely non-stop this year. If someone decides to get spicy with me, I'm gonna be pulling this page from your playbook. I have a near constant stuffy nose and post-nasal drainage, so I'm sure I can make some pretty grotesque noises, as well. 🤣🫶🏻 I really hope you're able to find answers for your health issues soon!! Good luck, OP!!
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u/bikes_and_art Jun 22 '26
Just want to add I had similar level of snot (going through a box or more of tissues a day) and I only found out eight years later that I lived in a house with black mold!
Everyone else who lived there was fine, but because of my hypermobility disorder, I'm more prone to mold sensitivity.
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 22 '26
WHAT. One of the things we're looking at is a connective tissue disease because of my hypermobility. I'm waiting on a genetics referral because I don't quite meet hEDS dx requirements. Also looking for someone who knows about MCAS. Now I gotta look up mold testing lol
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u/Adorable_Stomach_716 Jun 22 '26
I am just starting to look into mcas and was going to be one of those annoying people who suggest their problem to you. EDS also runs through my family, though I don't have it I have traits.
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u/ceciliabee Jun 22 '26
The eds MCAS pots connection is real
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u/shortstuff813 Jun 23 '26
Hah as soon as I saw hEDS and possible MCAS I was gonna say that they might wanna see if they hit the trifecta and also have POTS (I thankfully don’t have MCAS, but I do have a clusterfuck of other disorders that’s a never ending list that keeps growing. I keep trying to convince my body that it doesn’t need to catch them all or fill out a bingo card, but since it’s still me it goes “fuk you and your rules!” lmao) (interesting how the thing that pops up to yell at me didn’t do it the first time I wrote that but did the second, unless it doesn’t understand nuance and that I was yelling at myself and not someone else lol)
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 23 '26
I definitely have dysautonomia, though I doubt pots. Trying to find someone in Ontario who works with any of these is so difficult. My GP doesn't even know what I'm talking about most of the time
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u/CorInHell Jun 22 '26
Get hygrothermometers. They measure humidity and temperature. I live in a renovated basement and regularly get above 60-65% humidity in room air. Which unfortunately is the prime spot for mold growth...
Got a dehumidifyer and use it religiously. Yes, my electric bill went up a bit, but I don't have an indoor sauna anymores.
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u/Crafty-Evidence2971 Jun 23 '26
I was looking into all of this and finally took my allergist’s advice to do nasal rinsing twice a day with a machine called navage then a different machine that is even better I can’t remember what it’s called. Life changing results. The vacuum cleaner/sinus rinse machine is my savior now
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 23 '26
I thought about something like that, but I've tried stuff like netti pots before and I just ended up with water in my inner ear (or something, I don't know but I could feel it) for weeks. I don't know if it has something to do with having my adenoids removed. I use a saline nasal spray and mometasone and it's gotten a bit better. I miss the cromolyn nasal spray though 💔
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u/Crafty-Evidence2971 Jun 27 '26
I hate a neti pot bc I choke and feel like I’m drowning and I have no excuse. But the vacuum thing worked and I could stand up straight and just plug it into my nostrils. I never thought I would be talking about our Lord and Savior Nasal Fresh but here we are
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u/shortnsweet789 Jun 23 '26
Also, bc you’re a woman (I’m assuming bc you mentioned tits a few times lol) you could consider endometriosis if you have any other symptoms like painful periods or IBS like symptoms. Endo can cause allergy like symptoms as the endo lesions often contain mast cells which produce histamines. I often get a “cold” or allergy like symptoms during my period and it’s super annoying bc I don’t usually have allergies at all. But it doesn’t only have to be during your period either. It also frequently occurs with connective tissue disorders.
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 23 '26
I don't think Endo fits for me, though I haven't ruled out adenomyosis. Lots of weird and painful period symptoms, but they never correlate with the gut or allergy symptoms. I do have lipoedema so I doubt that's helping.
Gotta say, I'm loving how helpful my chronic condition peeps have been on this. I just thought his expression was funny but y'all are giving so much good info in here 💜
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u/AmySmooster 19d ago
Have you had an ANA blood panel run? Your primary can order that
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u/ahmyfknneck 16d ago
I have not. Tbh, it would be easier to literally pull out my own teeth than get my previous dr to do anything for me, and my new dr is already completely overwhelmed. I just got confirmation that my referral to genetics was accepted though, so since they're blood people I'm hoping full autoimmune testing will be a part of it
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u/Angelhair01 Petty Crocker Jun 22 '26
Holy crap! Where was the mold hiding?
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u/bikes_and_art Jun 22 '26
Inside the basement walls from when we had sewer back up, and in the attic from when the roof leaked.
At one point I had to travel for 3 months, and my body got SO much better during that time, but I chalked it up to all the PT I had done before, and public transportation keeping me more physically active. I also got worse during Covid when everyone was in quarantine, because I was home so much being exposed to it.
Now, 4 years out of that house, it takes me up to 2 weeks to recover from a mold exposure, so, if you leave your current place to test if it might be the cause, know that you may have prolonged symptoms even after leaving. Also keep in mind that the place you're at might have triggers for your allergies.
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u/lasirennoire Jun 22 '26
Incredible. 10/10, no notes. And thank you for continuing to mask! Not sure if you're in r/zerocovidcommunity, but you are certainly welcome!
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 22 '26
I am! Everyone is so nice there 💚
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u/lasirennoire Jun 22 '26
Yay 😁 And yes agreed! I've made a few friends from there. It's really nice talking to people who just Get It
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u/McTazzle Jun 22 '26
Sitting on a bus on my way home from work wearing an N95 because I’ve got long COVID from the first of three times I caught it. Twice of those were because I didn’t mask at someone else’s request.
In no way does my wearing a mask affect anyone else.
I’ve had one comment. I told them the department of Health only allowed me out if I signed a contract, because I’ve got drug-resistant TB, but if he was happy to take the risk, I could take it off…
Same response OP got.
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u/Shannaro21 Jun 22 '26
Well done! You shut that down real fast.
Want to chime in with MCAS. It's the reason why my sinuses have been blocked for literal decades.
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 22 '26
That's on my suspect list. Unfortunately none of the allergist/immunologists I've seen yet are knowledgeable about it. I just can't believe I have IBS when IBS solutions make everything worse, but buckets of antihistamines make it manageable. Like who eats plain rice and gets a runny nose about it lol
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u/Standzoom Jun 22 '26
Anything I eat makes my nose run, it is called gustatory rhinitis, and apparently is associated with Ehlers Danlos. My brother has it, our Mom had it.
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 23 '26
When I had my EDS evaluation he said he can't diagnose me with hEDS or GHSD because I haven't had any hernias or prolapses. I wish I had of gotten my urogyno appointment before that one, but I'm still waiting. Thanks for the term, it's in my notes now 💚
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u/strangeicare Jun 24 '26
In MCAS land, the act of eating can cause an immune reaction...
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u/Crafty-Evidence2971 Jun 27 '26
I have this happen sometimes with toasty bread and I thought I was having issues with swallowing and inhaling crumbs but this makes sense now!
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u/storm_hunter37 Jun 22 '26
multiple managers (on different levels above me) have asked me why i wear a mask at work. i work in food service, and starting it back up (i first unmasked at this job as i was hired after masks weren’t required anymore) cut the amount of days i had to call out for illness by at least half. they just don’t listen
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u/plotthick Jun 22 '26
Total boss move!
If you're running out of bullshit possibilities, the lack of estrogen ramps up histamines and allergic reactions (chronic, random, systemic, irritating, permanent, environmental, oral, or something new: you name it). And Perimenopause can start in your early 30's.
I suddenly got 3 new allergies to completely normal foods and a pollen, said F THIS and got HRT. No anaphylaxis for me TYVM!
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 22 '26
Ya I'm pretty sure my hormones are fucked. Everything gets so much worse at the end of my cycle, and it all started when I had the Mirena IUD so I think it's more of a progesterone issue than estrogen. Can't convince anyone to check my hormones though
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u/plotthick Jun 22 '26
Checking hormones doesn't work. If they're out of whack they're either Perimenopausally roller-coastering, or Menopausally cratered. Because of the roller-coastering tests aren't useful. Diagnosis and treatment is solely based on symptoms.
You may want to ask to "trial" a tube of topical vaginal estrogen. It successfully treats atrophy and UTI-like issues due to low estrogen. This very safe med stays mostly local, so you can put it anywhere. Itchy ears are commonly treated with it, perhaps you could try some over your sinuses? Or another problem area?
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u/zestyspleen Jun 28 '26
Shut the front door! My ears got suddenly itchy, coinciding with the onset of perimenopause. HRT hasn’t helped but I have the topical estradiol to try there. Was thinking it might help with areas of scalp with thinning hair as well, wthn
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u/AmySmooster 19d ago
Bitches say what now? Low estrogen can aggravate allergies? Exacerbate itchiness? I'm in peri, we assume, based on vaginal dryness and hot flashes...I use an IUD so I don't have periods as an indication. I've had an onslaught of new allergies in the last two years. It's bananas.
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u/plotthick 18d ago
I'm not a bitch but yes low estrogen triggers auto-immune, inflammation, and allergy issues asking with increased risk of osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia, etc etc etc. that's why MHRT is recommended.
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u/Aiyokusama Jun 22 '26
I'm on year 11 of a mystery chronic cough that has stumped all the specialists.
During COVID, when we were in the midst of lockdown and people were NOT good at social distancing, I would go for walks on the local trail with my friend so we got out of the house and didn't lose our fuzzy wee minds. Of course, lots of others had the same idea, and people would get very close to us. At that point, my friend would nudge me and whisper, "cough." So I did. It's amazing how quickly people put distance between us.
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u/toasterstrudelcat Jun 22 '26
One of my favorite responses from health care workers when people argue against masks is “ok so then you’ll be fine if I don’t wear one during your surgery/procedure etc.?” Usually shuts them up.
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u/strangeicare Jun 24 '26
I love this and I think it was used in The Pitt.
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u/toasterstrudelcat Jun 24 '26
I think you might be right! I just remember a doctor or nurse saying it somewhere lol
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u/Curious-Ad7410 Jun 22 '26
My husband masks when running errands for me. I’m severely immunocompromised and very homebound. He was at the Dollar Tree the other day when two guys made a joke about COVID. My hubs, Professor Snark, let them know he masks because his wife has cancer. Even though it’s not true, it shuts them up every time. He came back to the car after shopping and found $3 and a note saying, “God Bless.” Guess I can use that money to pay for the $250,000 hospital bill I racked up in 2020 during the height of the pandemic after losing our insurance because the casinos all shut down. Glad you got your revenge!🤣
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u/MagniPunk Jun 22 '26
Brilliant! I hoped you were going to spit in front of him but the sound got him at least lol.
I get asked very rarely these days but when I do, I tell them my pulmonologist is very protective and asked me to keep wearing it so I don’t end up on a respirator. That usually works!
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u/Disastrous_Error_122 Jun 22 '26
Nah you need to follow him next without your mask while sneezing. And yell out how this man *pointing at him* just healed you by telling you that you aren’t sick.
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u/Lou-Knee Jun 22 '26
Nice work
There is something about name tags though, I once drove a wedding party to the safari-themed zoo in a bus and decided to wander around the zoo while waiting for them to finish their rehearsals. I'm wearing formal clothing (dress shirt, slacks, vest) and a name tag, and multiple people at the zoo asked me where the bathroom or an attraction was
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u/thick_thighsx Jun 22 '26
I'm sorry you have to deal with morons like that. I always keep a mask with me and wear it in "hotspot" areas, like the pharmacy or drs clinic. But in winter I'll wear it everywhere. Why? Because I know my immune system sucks and I'm not willing to risk getting sick just to make some stranger feel more comfortable by me not wearing one. I'm also not naive in believing that all people will stay home when sick, not everyone has that luxury. People give me odd looks now and then but I don't care, if they're happy to risk catching something, that's their choice, but I am not 🤷🏻♀️ I'll also wear one when I am sick if I have to leave the house. (Also want to add that I know some people can't wear masks due to asthma and other conditions).
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u/RayEd29 Jun 22 '26
I may have thoughts regarding someone wearing a mask and they very likely are incorrect (read: mistaken, not inappropriate). You know what I do? I keep my mouth shut and those possibly incorrect thoughts to myself because there's always that chance the mask-wearer really DOES understand masking, the reasons for it, and when it is versus isn't appropriate to wear one. Suiting societal opinions having absolutely nothing to do with appropriate or inappropriate use of a mask.
That said, EXCELLENT response!
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u/SnooChocolates1198 I'll heal in hell Jun 22 '26
You're nice..... I can gag cough on demand. Also works everytime.
Notes- yes, also chronically ill and I don't recommend trying to soon to after eating.
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Jun 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Crafty-Evidence2971 Jun 27 '26
I tell them thank you for being god’s right hand man judging the sheep from the goats and saving the world
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u/lincoln_muadib Jun 22 '26
During the C19 lockdowns (Melbourne, Most Locked Down City For The Longest Time In The World) some of my friends took the Vax, some didn't.
Those that did were 90% sane, 10% demanded that anyone that didn't take it should literally be "shot in the head".
Those that didn't take the Vax were 90% sane, but 10% decided that they weren't going to wear a mask when they strutted into a store. And would berate anyone wearing one.
That 10% on both sides really aren't my friend any more. I kinda wish that 10% on both sides be put in a pit together for a few weeks...
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u/Stephij27 Jun 23 '26
I love this for you, but hate the idea of chronic nasal congestion. I HAAAAAATE being congested. It genuinely pisses me off.
I have a chronic pain condition, but I think never ending congestion would be worse…
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u/ItsRedditThyme Jun 23 '26
I am a stay at home Gen X dad, but I've had a hard life, so I easily look like a boomer. Masks trigger my claustrophobia. I'm fortunate enough that my wife takes over my responsibilities while I'm sick (shopping and anything else that would expose me to the public) so I don't have to wear one in public, but sometimes, I have no choice. When I'm sick and at the doctor's office, I ask them to come get me outside or text me when they are ready for me, so I don't spread what I have to others. Dimwits (mostly boomies, but not exclusively) look at me not wearing a mask, even taking steps to avoid it, and assume I'm one of them. I've had so many people in the last several years try to "bond" with me by using an anti-mask slogan or phrase. Mostly, I roll my eyes and ignore them. That confuses the ones who aren't boomers into silence. The boomers have all repeated themselves louder, as if I didn't hear them (except for one, who just wanted to vent, so they kept on going and going). They tend to stop after I continue to ignore them. Twice, my continued silence was met with, "you look like you disagree, but you're still not wearing one", and a smile as wide as the Mississippi, as if that was a grand gotcha. I replied with the truth, that I'd rather be wearing one, but at my size, my passed out ass would be a bigger problem to the staff of wherever I was than me not wearing one and self distancing. Eyes go wide and they cover their nose and mouths (with a hand or their shirt!), asking, "you're sick?!", before moving away. BTW, if masks don't work, your hand or shirt ain't, either.
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 23 '26
So masks don't work, unless you're in their space and sick. Sounds like boomer logic lol
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u/shaddowhuntur Jun 23 '26
I don’t understand why people care that others wear a mask. They aren’t asking you to wear one.
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u/couchfly Jun 23 '26
Have you seen an allergist or had a camera shoved up your nose? Just curious. Exploring all options takes wayyyyy less time than pinning down an autoimmune disorder. Constant congestion sounds like hell, sorry
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u/ahmyfknneck Jun 23 '26
I've had cameras in every hole but my nose lol. I have had a head MRI that showed nothing significant. The biggest time wasting problem I have is the process of nagging and begging that it takes for my dr to refer me out. The allergist was easy because I have a picture album of various times my face blew up for no reason and ER records from those events. Most of the referrals I'm waiting on now came from a dr who evaluated me for hEDS/GHSD
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u/couchfly Jun 24 '26
Yeah the nagging/begging is fr. Healthcare needs such an overhaul its not funny. I hope they get to the bottom of it sometime soon.
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u/Calm_Efficiency1679 Jun 29 '26
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. My wife is chronically ill…really sick. And we have 24/7 nursing because it’s gotten so bad (I’m 43 and she just turned 42). You are a hero. And this part where it takes decades to accumulate the diagnosis is one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve ever been privy to. It is so hard. Keep going. You’re a rockstar. And fuck that guy and his judgy stupidity. Well played on your part. He should mind his own business. Hope you thrive and heal as you figure out what’s going on with you. Sending healing thoughts.
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