ABOUT

👋 I'm Marlee, a wife, mama, and EDSer who got diagnosed after more than 20 doctors and 20 years. Had surgery in July in Germany on multiple vascular compressions. We knew I was in a bad way, but I don't think quite to the extent until we found out I had zero blood flow to my kidney and my duodenum wasn't functioning because my renal vein and superior mesenteric artery were completely pancaked. God made a way and no doubt my doctors saved my life, which I'm determined to do something with.

I know it sounds cliche, but my husband has definitely been the biggest support with my rare illnesses. I didn't find out about my diagnoses until after we had both our daughters, although my second very scary pregnancy and birth would give us a little glimpse something wasn't normal. We had been told if I could get pregnant, than it should cure all my issues or I would just need to get a hysterectomy, which I did, four months after. I struggled with a lot of guilt that our girls could have my same health problems, but I would discover God knows what He's doing 🙂 The girls are what kept me fighting for answers and fighting for them. 

I created the blog to spread awareness, keep family and friends updated, and to share what God is doing in my life even with chronic pain. What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? You can read my very first post that explains it and what other diagnoses I have. I've had some very tough days, especially when it came to overdoing it, but I've been learning and accepting 'why me' and that I am enough even when I can't do all the things I used to. Doubt does creep in about putting myself out there, but I have reminders from others why it's so important for me to document and share my story if it can help give answers to someone else. 

The only way I have made it this far in my health journey is because of my faith. I KNOW and believe God can do anything, but I also knew He had another reason for me not to be healed and is going to use my pain and experience in a certain way to show His glory. Even with opposition, I still point to Him because we will never understand why bad things happen to good people, but we can praise Him for all of our blessings, find reasons to smile, and remember how He has been faithful. Worshiping in the car on my drives to doctor appointments has been a way God speaks to me and gives me perspective. I leave you with the song I'm loving and my purpose in all this.