After a month in Wisconsin, I am excited to say I'm free of Nutcracker Syndrome! This kidney auto transplant was a long road-having allergic reactions, getting an epidural, and spending some time in the ICU- but thanks to such an incredible team, it all worked out in the end. Full recovery can be up to six months, but I'm looking forward to life 2.0! (Also shoutout to my doctors for giving me pictures of my kidney + a kidney squishmallow & also to the UW football team for stopping by with some gifts- go badgers!❤️)
The last day of February is international rare disease day! A phrase is taught to all medical students in training: "When you hear the sound of hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." A zebra represents those of us with rare diseases, so essentially they are taught to always give a common diagnosis. It took me years to finally have doctors believe me- and I'm still in that process of getting more diagnoses. I have had to learn how to advocate for myself in a room full of people who have been trained not to listen or simply have never heard of these conditions. Remember that you know your body best, and no matter what the system says, keep pushing to get the answers and treatment you deserve. We are not too rare to care! #raredisease
Ashley Massey
After a month in Wisconsin, I am excited to say I'm free of Nutcracker Syndrome! This kidney auto transplant was a long road-having allergic reactions, getting an epidural, and spending some time in the ICU- but thanks to such an incredible team, it all worked out in the end. Full recovery can be up to six months, but I'm looking forward to life 2.0! (Also shoutout to my doctors for giving me pictures of my kidney + a kidney squishmallow & also to the UW football team for stopping by with some gifts- go badgers!❤️)
#raredisease #renalautotransplant #nutcrackersyndrome #surgery
1 year ago | [YT] | 3
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Ashley Massey
The last day of February is international rare disease day! A phrase is taught to all medical students in training: "When you hear the sound of hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." A zebra represents those of us with rare diseases, so essentially they are taught to always give a common diagnosis. It took me years to finally have doctors believe me- and I'm still in that process of getting more diagnoses. I have had to learn how to advocate for myself in a room full of people who have been trained not to listen or simply have never heard of these conditions.
Remember that you know your body best, and no matter what the system says, keep pushing to get the answers and treatment you deserve. We are not too rare to care! #raredisease
1 year ago | [YT] | 1
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Ashley Massey
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1 year ago | [YT] | 5
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