Jesse details his latest medical flare-up and subsequent diagnostic testing, before confronting his new diagnosis.
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2 Comments
Olga A · May 17, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Just finished this second episode. Wow, I’m so happy to hear about your progress. As you described, I can imagine it’s a crazy blend of relief and fear. I’m so happy you’re speaking out about chronic illness. It’s so important for the rest of us that live in this isolation where everyone is telling you things, but you still have this sense inside you that it’s not quite right.
I totally get what you mean when people that are perfectly capable of being healthy treat their bodies like garbage. So completely frustrating. For me, it was always like, if I had that small glimpse of feeling better, I went and did something, no matter how hard it may be (like a fitness class that kicked my ass because I was only able to make it every few weeks).
But I also want to talk about that bureaucratic BS with disability insurance. I went on two short term medical leaves, but it got cut short because it was approved under a false diagnosis, but then didn’t have a new diagnosis to extend it, so the “doctors at insurance” said there was “clearly nothing actually wrong” and I had to go back to work or lose my job. So, I went back to work and got worse and worse (and, like, Aidan would have to help me get there from the car and stuff) and I’d be taking naps on my desk and, well, obviously, none of that went over well in the long term which created some really awful work stress, too. I ended up needed to quit to save my health.
My path really changed when I went to an acupuncturist (can’t remember why) and she was actually able to help me feel better temporarily which said to me that it was a more holistic issue. That’s when I gave up on the 10+ docs (so, like 80% of what Corvallis has to offer) I was seeing in Western med that didn’t have answers, and sought more unique car…plus, I basically live in hippieville, so it wasn’t too hard. Anyways, my acupuncturist sent me to a functional medicine doc and IT CHANGED EVERYTHING. I also totally mailed my poop! God, that was gross. Anyways, all your tests sound very, very familiar. I’m back at about 90% now and it feels amazing. You saw the fruits of my patience and labor – I finally was able to take a cool trip to Seattle last year!
Very happy that you’re doing better and that you have a great new gf. Way to be positive, dude. Looking forward to updates. Also, for what it’s worth, I always thought you were an incredible musician and think your art is worthy of fame. 🙂
Paula · October 4, 2017 at 4:42 am
This was the bravest, most honest and real tale of perseverance and hope. Thank you so much for sharing.