Learning to live again

In 2008, I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, a rare disease of the endocrine system involving adrenal failure. This is a disease that many doctors still do not know about.

I was in and out of emergency rooms for over a decade before my diagnosis. Each time I'd go to the emergency room, I was treated for dehydration and told to drink more water, eat more protein. But water, food, vitamins, medicine all went right through me and I was back in the emergency room dehydrated day after day. I could not digest anything. I was tired all the time, sore all over, extremely sick to my stomach, and had low blood pressure. I broke out into awful hives any time I went into the sun. I'd get large brown spots on my arm and red splotches across my neck and chest. It seemed like I became more depressed and irritable every day, which made it even harder to describe my issues to my doctors.

Doctors kept pointing to my digestive system and removed the gall bladder and treated me for pancreatitis, removed an intestinal blockage and performed countless endoscopic and laprascopic surgeries. I was given pain medications and anti-depressants. Through all these treatments, my body just weakened under the extra stress.

When I finally got down to just 71 pounds, an endocrinologist ran blood and ACTH tests to look at sodium, potassium, cortisol and ACTH. Test results shows full adrenal failure.

I now take about 30 mg of steroid a day and have followed doctors orders to simplify my life. I learn all I can and am fully prepared with a notebook describing the disease any time I have to go to the hospital or see a new doctor.

I've been blessed to spend time and have the help of my children, their spouses and children. I am the proud mimi of Adam and Sam, both who live in Dallas.

With the severe sun reaction, my job as an outside sales rep had to come to an end. Now what really keeps me going is my Ebay boutique.

I have always loved treasure hunting and my friends always said I had a gift for finding unique items. Now I treasure hunt for a living, searching far and wide to find special jewels for my online gift shop. It makes me feel good to help people feel beautiful inside and out. Seeing the joy from my customers when they find the perfect piece, has taught me to live and love again.