MY JOURNEY: MY HEALTH

6 years ago

Blood samples were taken and the results came back. I have Hypothyroidism. Nothing too serious - considering the symptoms I had were thin hair, sensitivity to cold temperatures, constant exhaustion, moodiness, dry skin, and irregular and incredibly painful menstruation (sorry, men). This is where my monthly visits to the pharmacy began. 

3 years ago 

We changed doctors due to insurance changes. We went to my new doctor to get a regular check up - more blood tests! Not even thinking that I had serious health problems, my doctor called us back into his office to discuss my results. He told my that I had Hashimoto's - an autoimmune disease that I will always have lingering inside my body. He then addressed that my adrenal glands were failing, my kidneys weren't functioning properly, my immune system was barely working, my blood pressure was abnormally low, and that was highly allergic to gluten and dairy. I walked out of the doctor's office feeling like I just heard the "you only have two years to live" news! The next day, I woke up to 16 different medications decorating my nightstand. 

For two months after starting the pills, each day felt like a battle to get up and live - I felt like I was enduring life just because of health. I was tired, depressed, couldn't eat what i wanted (gluten and dairy), my appetite was nonexistent, and anxiety attacks here and there. A trip to the ER was a call for change. I listened to my body and decided to go off the pills that seemed to make me worse than better. We decided to see a different doctor that we trusted (even though he wasn't on our insurance) to find some solid answers. After multiple blood tests were taken, the results came back along with some relieving news. He had now idea where my previous doctor came up with the results of failing kidneys, adrenal glands.. etc. The only thing he confirmed was my Hashimoto's. I will take Hashimotos over failing kidneys and adrenal glands any day!

Ever since then...

Hashimoto's didn't seem like an entirely big deal to me a couple years ago. I was told that it was just something that i will have to deal with - not much you can do about it. I was still experiencing my typical symptoms with hypothyroidism and to be honest - I've never been able to imagine differently. A life where I'm not tired, clear skin, regular and pain free periods, thick hair, always cheerful, the ability to not have a foggy mind, ill-free - that's just not who I am. What did I do about it? Nothing. I didn't care enough to make a change and that was my problem. 

So, here I am wanting change. A change for a better lifestyle. A change for a better me to realize the importance of bodies and our responsibility to take care of them. To come to know that I am beautiful in the imperfect body my soul lives in. I know that I cannot become perfect or obtain a perfect body in this life; but, i do believe that I have every responsibility and expectation to do the best i can. 

Cheers to a better lifestyle - a better me. My personal tale and journey of a fight against Hashimoto's.

Sincerely, Ashlyn

MOVING // EASTER

MOVING

Now that the semester is over, moving season rolls in. Packing up your belongings is kind of freeing. I see all the little things I've held on to because they meant something to me. That root beer bottle that was chipped, the paper airplane, the dream catcher, the dried rose resting in a glass jar... Now that my boxes are all packed up and ready to go, I only have two choices. Make this change a good one or be a bum and stuff. 

HAPPY EASTER - A COUPLE DAYS LATE 

(I'm still trying to figure out why some photos get a sepia tone once I upload to Blogger. Anyone know?)

NEW LENS

Buying a new lens is kind of exciting. It's like buying a new paintbrush and you can't help but wonder about all the exciting adventures and creations you will encounter. So here is me with my new lens:

I was originally thinking of purchasing the 50mm 1.4 because of how amazing it is (at least that's what all the reviews said). My heart was set on the lens and i couldn't wait to buy it once enough money was set aside. About two weeks ago, my sister and I were taking pictures at a wedding and I mentioned to her my plans for purchasing a new lens. She looked at me and and said, "you know the 50mm 1.8 is just as good as the 1.4, right?" I looked at her and said.. "ha, ya.. whatever." Once I got home to my apartment I threw open my laptop and began researching comparison reviews. Sure enough, the 1.8 came out on top. So here I am with a new lens, a couple hundred bucks richer, and happy as a clam.

I am not a professional photographer by any means or even skilled at taking pictures. But I love it. I love taking pictures because it gives me the opportunity to capture moments in a creative way and to expand my way of seeing things. I'm reading and watching video's daily and practicing taking photos as much as I can so that I can one day be the photographer I dream to be.

HOME

I love the smell of my home - it makes me feel safe and secure. I love walking through the door and having my dog Winston (I call him Winnie) run up to me with his whole body twisting and turning with excitement. I love the giggles and laughs that ring throughout every room and hallway. I love my home because of the people that fill it.

Trying to get Lincoln to cross his eyes. That face though...

My dearest mama cooking her famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

One of my favorites..

Freshly cut chocolate. Is that even a thing?

Whenever my mom is waiting for something to be done in the oven, she will spin the hot pad in the air. It's small memories like this i like to capture. They make me smile.

Playing through the glass door.

What makes a house a HOME to you?

Sincerely, Ashlyn

POSTING AT 3AM

I was babysitting my nieces and nephews a couple days ago and things started getting crazy or what some go to an extent to say "cray-cray." I decided to be original and flip on a movie for the children to watch. How many of you have seen "Spirit - Stallion of the Cimarron"? Before we go any further on this topic, note that i have not cried in a movie for quite some time. Well, we get to the scene where Spirit (the horse) is being tied down by these horrible humans. Then his mom see's whats happening and has this "Oh my goodness, they are taking my child" face. I lost it. I was bawling. Anyways. Thought everyone should know that I cried in a horse movie. 

Quote from my journal from 2011: "I should probably get a job. People are starting to hate me because they always have to buy me food."

A couple months ago, a came across a Facebook Page called "The Lucky Fin Project" - a webpage that brings awareness to those who have limb differences. I am so extremely grateful for coming across this page. It has subgroup pages for each state so those with limb differences can connect with those in their state (it's mostly mom's who have a child with a limb difference). We are currently planning a day where we will meet up with our families. I can't wait! If i cried in the movie Spirit, then i will most likely cry when i get to hold these precious babies who were born with some type of limb difference. I'm counting down the days!

Here are some photos of what's been happening lately:

My mom went to this event called Rootstech - a family history and technology conference. They kept emphasizing writing down our life events for record keeping. Whether it be on a piece of paper or on a blog - do it! So you may just be seeing more of my blog. I apologize.

Sincerely, Ashlyn