“Sometimes the hardest part of chronic illness isn’t getting through the emergency—it’s accepting that recovery takes longer than we’d like.”
📖 Dear Diary,
If there were an award for “Most Likely to Keep My Doctors Guessing,” I’m convinced my body would win it every single year.
Just when I think I’ve experienced every possible symptom or complication, my immune system says, “Hold my beer…I’ve got one more surprise for you.”
This week’s surprise?
An unexpected trip to the emergency room.
It started Tuesday when the left side of my jaw suddenly swelled so much that I couldn’t open my mouth. Add in a fever, and it was pretty clear this wasn’t one of those situations where I could convince myself to “just sleep it off.”
After spending eight hours in the ER, the doctor finally had an answer.
My left parotid gland—which, for anyone else who immediately reached for Google like I did, is one of your major salivary glands—was blocked and infected.
Naturally, I started asking questions.
How does that happen?
The answer?
“We don’t know.”
At this point, I’m beginning to think “We don’t know” should be printed across the top of my medical records. It seems to explain a surprising number of things. 🤦🏽♀️😂
After two IV antibiotics, prescriptions for two additional antibiotics, pain medication, and another hospital wristband to add to my collection…I’m starting to think I have more hospital bracelets than concert tickets. 😂 I was finally sent home.
Now, this is the part where a reasonable person would probably cancel their travel plans, stay home, rest, and recover.
Unfortunately…
I have never claimed to be that reasonable.
Because Thursday night, I still boarded my red-eye flight back to the DMV for my family’s reunion.
Family means everything to me, and after everything this year has thrown my way, I wasn’t ready to miss another opportunity to be surrounded by the people who remind me where I come from.
So I packed my medications, hoped the antibiotics would do their job, and got on the plane.
Looking back…
That may not have been my brightest decision.
By the time I arrived, Myasthenia Gravis had decided it wanted equal attention.
Every muscle in my body felt like it had competed in a marathon without bothering to invite me. The exhaustion wasn’t just being tired. It was that deep, overwhelming fatigue that people with MG know all too well—the kind where even thinking about getting dressed feels like another item on an already impossible to-do list.
I’d been awake for more than twenty-four hours.
Another one of my not-so-smart decisions.
As much as I wanted to jump right into reunion festivities and spend time with everyone, my body had already made the decision for me.
Rest.
Not later.
Not after one more event.
Right now.
That can be one of the hardest lessons chronic illness teaches.
Showing up doesn’t always mean doing everything you planned to do.
Sometimes showing up means simply making it to your destination.
Sometimes it means giving yourself permission to cancel plans without feeling guilty.
Sometimes it means choosing sleep over memories so you’ll have the strength to make new ones tomorrow.
I’m still learning that resting isn’t quitting.
It’s part of surviving.
💭 Today’s Reflection
One thing chronic illness has taught me is that determination is admirable—but it doesn’t make us invincible.
There will always be moments when our minds want one thing, and our bodies demand another.
The challenge isn’t deciding whether we’re strong enough to push through.
The challenge is having enough grace to recognize when pushing through will only make tomorrow harder.
Rest isn’t giving up.
Rest is an investment in tomorrow.
Sometimes, the strongest thing we can do is trust that the memories worth making will still be there after we’ve taken care of ourselves.
🎵 Today’s Soundtrack
As I sit here writing this diary entry, “I Get So Weak” by SWV keeps playing in my head.
If you live with Myasthenia Gravis, you know that title can feel a little too relatable. The difference is, with MG, there isn’t always a dramatic love story behind the weakness—sometimes your immune system simply wakes up and chooses chaos. 😂
🌻 Until Next Time…
So for now…
I’m going to do the smartest thing I’ve done all week.
Take a nap.
Hopefully, when I wake up, the antibiotics will be doing their job, my jaw will be a little less angry, my muscles will remember they’re supposed to be on my team, and I’ll have enough energy left to enjoy some much-needed time with my family.
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn’t pushing through.
Sometimes it’s admitting our bodies had other plans…
…and choosing to listen.
💜 Thank You for Reading
Thank you for taking the time to read this entry from The Dual Diagnosis Diaries | Kia’s Journey.
If this story resonated with you, made you smile, taught you something new, or reminded you that you’re not alone, please consider liking, subscribing, and sharing this diary entry.
Your support helps raise awareness about Crohn’s Disease, Myasthenia Gravis, polyautoimmunity, and the realities of living with invisible illnesses while reminding others that hope can exist alongside hardship.
Together, we can educate, advocate, and remind others that no one has to navigate chronic illness alone.
With gratitude,
Kia Lorice
Founder • Author • Advocate • Future Wellness Coach
The Dual Diagnosis Diaries | Kia’s Journey 🌻
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