November 8, 2017, was the beginning of my journey with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I label my event as an attack, because it was just that, but I survived the war this disease has started with me.
My attack caused both of the arteries in my kidneys to dissect, along with a couple of aneuryms throughout my body. My attack caused me to hospitalized for a total of 21 days.
Before my attack, I was an avid runner and had competed in numerous races. Before my attack, I was always there to help people whether that was helping patients ( I work in the security department at Mayo Clinic), or helping others with tasks (that should now not be done with vEDS). Before my attack, I was able to hold my 6 year old daughter. She has now also has been diagnosed with vEDS. Before my attack, I enjoyed high impact sports such as football and volleyball.
vEDS has forced me to change the way I live, but I am surviving the war this disease has started with me. The battle will continue for me and for my daughter. We are waging a war of education and research on this disease. vEDS you picked the wrong person, war on!
