2015, A Recap

I did not visit the ER or Hospital at all during 2015. That is a HUGE victory and much different than 2013 when I was constantly juggling scary medical tests and multiple specialist appointments or 2014 when I learned that international airports are able to start IV's on site.

While the cortisol pump definitely helps disease management, my support network and I have also gotten smarter. When people point out that I'm starting to fade, I listen. I trust them. I take action. We recognize the crashes earlier. I do everything in my power to remain Clearly Alive. That is starting to translate into less ER visits. I'm excited!

We welcomed in the new year at our friends' house. We weren't really sure what 2015 would look like, but we were ready to tackle it together as husband and wife. We were Clearly Alive and back in America.

In February, we celebrated Christmas with my family because we are awesome like that. We don't always celebrate holidays on the actual holiday but rather when we are able to be together. I also did not run a 15k. I came down with a "flu like virus" coupled with a 101.3 degree Fahrenheit fever. With extremely diligent self care, a script of Tamiflu, and several days of a triple dose of steroids, my husband and I were able to stay ahead of the virus and remain hospital free.

At the beginning of March, we took a one year anniversary cruise to Mexico. I almost crashed the first night of the cruise but extra hydrocortisone, Zofran, and lots of rest enabled me to wake up the next morning feeling somewhat alive. Later in the month, my husband and I relayed the Dallas Rock-n-Roll half marathon. I also had the honor of speaking at my Assyrian grandmother's funeral. She passed away on March 21st, 2015.

The month of April started out with a not fun April Fool's day prank. Our downstairs neighbors got super drunk and high on something. They decided that 3:30am would be a good time to run up and down the hall spraying the fire extinguisher. This set off the fire alarm in the entire building, forcing us to evacuate. Sleep deprivation does not play nicely with Adrenal Insufficiency. Later that month, my husband and I drove down to Houston to attend a friend's wedding. It was such a humbling experience to have the bride take a break from the reception in order to hunt down migraine medicine for me as I was starting to fade from all the social excitement.

The month of May started out with another wedding in which my husband had the honor of being the best man. Close friends are extremely important regardless of health. I am incredibly thankful for the men that help keep him grounded as we navigate life with my chronic disease. Speaking of chronic disease, I was officially diagnosed with Adrenal Insufficiency and started on Cortef in May of 2005. I celebrated the decade milestone with a party with family, friends, and close coworkers. I was not celebrating the disease. I was celebrating the diagnosis, my second chance at life. I also had the opportunity to complete a dream of mine by participating in a corporate track meet as a sprinter.

In June, a group of us ran the "Must-Dash" 5k in honor of Father's Day. My 5k times are still nowhere close to where they were a few years ago, but that is ok. I'm able to cross that finish line and not require medical intervention afterwards. Perhaps one day, I can beat my PR that I set back in 2013 before my nightmare crisis. Another noteworthy achievement during the month of June was the completion of a wall mural for a good friend. It took a little over a month to sketch and paint it, and I spent a good amount of time resting on the couch in between sections. But I am quite pleased with the end result. Wall murals are still my favorite thing to paint.

In July, I had the opportunity to meet up with my mom and many others for the joint AIU / MAGIC conference outside of Chicago. It was encouraging to fellowship with other women who understand living with this disease. I had the pleasure of hearing Professor Hindmarsh speak and meeting someone in the process of training her own cortisol detection service dog. Things are changing within our rare disease community as we learn more about the intricacies of our disease. I believe our future is only going to get brighter as we continue to become more educated.

In August, my husband and I made a trip up to Maine in order to spend time with my husband's grandfather. I also had a trip to Austin for a work conference where I had to put a coworker on "ER watch duty" one of the nights as I was nervous I was going to require IV fluids. But once again, zofran, extra steroids and lots of fluids prevented a trip to the hospital. For that, I was very thankful especially because August marked my one year anniversary of remaining hospital free, and our one year anniversary of returning to America. We also ran in the "Bad Ass Brazos 10k" race down in Waco. Towards the end of the month, my husband and I had the honor of participating in my younger brothers wedding. August was a very good month.

In September, my husband accepted a job offer that would relocate us from Texas to Nevada. We started to prepare for the move and cross items off of our "Texas Bucket List." One of those items included completing a half marathon with a fellow Adrenal Insufficient gal. This half marathon was my husband's very first, and my first since my 2013 crisis. I loved being able to cross that finish line with both my friend and my husband by my side. I am looking forward to completing several more in the future.

October was an interesting month. About twelve hours before my husband was set to depart for his new job, he received a phone call from HR stating that due to circumstances outside of their control they were required to rescind the job offer and swap it with a severance package. After many discussions, we decided that we were still going to relocate to Nevada in order to move closer to family. The severance package allowed him to move and begin searching for another opportunity while I remained in Texas. Towards the end of the month, a group of coworkers and I completed a very wet 5k in downtown Dallas.

My husband showing off his area of the country.

Cat did not appreciate the Santa hat. We did appreciate the Santa hat.

In December, my husband returned to Texas to help pack up our lives in preparation for our out of state move. While he has not yet found employment, we are confident something will fall into place after the new year begins. Shortly after he returned, we relayed the Dallas Marathon as part of a five person team. I love running that race. This marked the second year in which I sprinted across that finish line. For me, the five person relay represents how we are able to accomplish so much more with a good network of support. At this point in my life, I cannot run 26.2 miles. However, I can run 5.7 miles. With the help of others, I was able to cross that marathon finish line.

With the help of others, I am able to remain Clearly Alive.

2016, bring it.

I am ready.