By now, most of us have probably realized life is not all rainbows and gumdrops like fairy tales often paint. Sometimes, life throws you a big curve ball that glitches our fantasy or how we think our lives should be, but even Cinderella's carriage turned into a pumpkin.
Last spring, I was driving home from school at night after a long day. When I got close to my exit, the right side of my face felt funny so I hung up from my phone call with my best friend. By the time I got home, the right side of my face was numb. I went inside my house and told my parents what was going on. My mom called my pediatrician and we all decided a trip to the emergency room would be a good idea.
It was late on a Sunday night and there mom and I sat in the emergency room, watching the craziness happening around us as we waited. It was taking a long time and we debated about staying, but I am glad we did. Finally, at 2 a.m. we got called back to a room. There was more waiting, but they doctor determined it was something similar to Bell's Palsy and recommended us to a neurologist.
Time passed on, and we saw more doctors. My face regained feeling and the problem was never really solved. However, while in the emergency room that night, it came back with sugar in my urine. So another doctor visit was in my agenda. My regular doctor diagnosed me as a diabetic. My parents and I were very shocked by this, as most people would be. I am only 90 pounds and I have a pretty well-balanced diet. So as a family, we decided it would be best to see an endocrinologist.
When mom and I showed up for that first appointment with the endocrinologist, the doctor already had an idea what was going on. He told us not to worry and ordered a series of blood tests. On the next visit, he diagnosed me with a rare condition called Lipodystrophy. Again, shocked at this assessment and not sure what it meant but this time as he explained to us it suddenly made so much sense.
Lipodystrophy is a rare disease that effects the fat in your body. Instead of growing where it is suppose to, my body's fat grows on my organs like my liver and pancreas. This disease also makes me have high cholesterol. Despite all the things it does to my body on the inside, it does not actually hurt. Sometimes I will get hand cramps, but other than that no one would know I had a disease. Other side effects that I have are glucose intolerance aka diabetes and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) which is not 100 percent certain diagnosis.
All in all, sometimes we have glitches in our fairy tales. Everyone's is different, but in the end we will all (hopefully) have a happy ever after!! For me, I hope it includes cures!
