“Sometimes healing isn’t about going farther. Sometimes it’s about realizing you finally know when it’s time to stop.”
🌻 Dear Diary,
There was a time when someone could say, “Let’s go to Vegas,” and my answer would’ve been, “What time are we leaving?”
These days…
My first question isn’t about the hotel.
It isn’t about the concert.
It isn’t even about how much money I’m going to spend.
It’s…
“Can my body handle it?”
Welcome to life with Crohn’s Disease and Myasthenia Gravis.
When my friend Joy invited me to Vegas for the Jeezy Black Tie Affair, I didn’t hesitate.
I immediately said yes.
Then reality showed up.
Vegas.
In July.
If you know anything about me, you know heat and my body have a complicated relationship.
Crohn’s Disease doesn’t particularly enjoy it.
Myasthenia Gravis absolutely hates it.
The closer the trip got, the more I found myself wondering if I’d spend more time recovering than actually enjoying myself.
Not because I didn’t want to go…
But because I’ve learned that excitement doesn’t override autoimmune disease.
Unfortunately.
Then, literally the day before we left, I found out we’d be staying at the same hotel where the event was being held.
Cue the angels singing.
No long walks outside.
No trying to survive the Vegas heat just to get to the concert.
No calculating how much energy it would take just to make it from one casino to another.
Sometimes the smallest change in plans makes the biggest difference.
Joy and I made the five-hour drive from California to Las Vegas.
The drive itself was pretty smooth.
There were only a few moments where I lovingly reminded Joy that paying attention to the road is generally considered a good driving habit.
We’ll call those “friendly passenger safety consultations.”
She may call them something else. 😂
Other than that…
No drama.
Just two friends heading out on a much-needed getaway.
We checked into Planet Hollywood, and honestly, the room was really nice.
One thing I’ve learned is that rest before an event is just as important as the event itself.
So instead of trying to do everything Vegas has to offer, I actually rested.
That’s growth.
Old Kia would’ve unpacked and immediately gone exploring.
Current Kia knows conserving energy is part of the itinerary.
By the time we got dressed and headed downstairs, I already felt like I’d made a good decision.
Then it was time for the concert.
I don’t know exactly what I expected…
But the crowd wasn’t it.
Not in a bad way.
Just…different than what I imagined.
We were seated in the VIP section—close enough to enjoy the show without feeling like I was part of the performance.
And Jeezy?
He absolutely delivered.
The energy.
The music.
The atmosphere.
It was worth every minute.
As I sat there, “Go Getta” by Jeezy kept popping into my head—not because I was planning to conquer Vegas, but because after everything my body has put me through this past year, simply being there felt like a victory.
Sometimes showing up is the biggest accomplishment of all.
After the concert…
Two glasses of wine politely informed me that my evening had officially ended.
I happily accepted their decision. 😂🍷
Saturday started with Bojangles.
If you’ve never had Bojangles while traveling…
I highly recommend correcting that life decision. 😂
We walked around a little.
Attempted to visit the pool.
Keyword…
Attempted.
Instead, we wandered over to the MGM while the morning was still cool.
That turned out to be perfect timing.
Because once the Vegas sun fully clocked in for work…
My body clocked out.
Battery empty.
No warning.
Just…
Done.
Years ago, I would’ve ignored every signal my body was sending.
I would’ve pushed through.
Kept walking.
Kept pretending I was fine.
Then I’d spend the next several days paying for it.
This time…
I listened.
I went back to the room.
Turned on the TV.
Relaxed.
Rested.
Joy went back out to enjoy Vegas, and when she came back, she asked if I wanted to go back outside.
Normally, I would’ve said yes just to avoid feeling like I was ruining someone else’s trip.
Instead…
I said no.
Because my body had already answered the question.
Thankfully, Joy completely understood.
No guilt.
No pressure.
No “Come on, you’ll be fine.”
Just understanding.
Sometimes that’s the greatest gift a friend can give you.
Sunday morning, we walked around one last time before heading home.
Joy had a couple more places she wanted to visit.
I had one mission.
Find souvenirs for my grandkids.
Especially my grandson.
Every time I travel somewhere, I bring him home a T-shirt.
It’s our little tradition.
No matter where I go…
He knows KiKi is coming home with a shirt.
Mission accomplished.
Then we climbed back into the car and headed home.
Somewhere during that drive, I realized something.
This trip wasn’t memorable because of Vegas.
It wasn’t because of the concert.
It wasn’t even because of the hotel.
It was memorable because…
For the first time in a long time…
I trusted myself.
I paced myself.
I recognized when I needed to stop.
I rested without feeling guilty.
And because of that, I enjoyed the entire weekend without sending either Crohn’s Disease or Myasthenia Gravis into full rebellion.
That’s huge.
For someone who used to believe every vacation had to be packed from sunrise to bedtime…
Learning that rest can be part of the adventure feels like a victory in itself.
💜 What This Trip Taught Me
Living with chronic illness doesn’t always mean saying no.
Sometimes it simply means saying…
“Yes…but differently.”
Different schedule.
Different pace.
Different expectations.
The adventure doesn’t have to disappear.
It just has to fit the body you’re traveling in.
I used to think slowing down meant I was missing out.
Now I realize slowing down is often what allows me to experience the trip at all.
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn’t pushing through.
It’s giving ourselves permission to pause.
So now…
I’m already thinking about my next road trip.
Nothing extravagant.
Nothing over the top.
Just another opportunity to step away from everyday life, clear my mind, recharge my spirit, and remind myself that while autoimmune disease may travel with me…
It doesn’t always get to choose the destination.
As I sit here writing this diary entry, “Vacation” by Dirty Heads keeps playing in my head. Apparently, my brain has decided every trip deserves its own soundtrack. 😂
Because sometimes…
Peace isn’t found hundreds of miles away.
Sometimes it’s found in finally learning how to travel with yourself.
And for the first time in a long time…
I came home with more memories than regrets.
I think that’s a trip worth taking again.
💜 Final Thoughts
Living with Crohn’s Disease and Myasthenia Gravis has changed the way I travel.
It has changed my expectations.
It has changed my pace.
But it hasn’t taken away my desire to make memories.
If anything, it’s taught me to appreciate them even more.
I may never travel the way I used to.
And honestly…
That’s okay.
Because I’m learning that a successful trip isn’t measured by how much I accomplish.
It’s measured by how well I listen to my body while still allowing myself to live.
I think that’s a journey worth continuing.
💜 Thank you for taking the time to read this entry from The Dual Diagnosis Diaries | Kia’s Journey.
If this story resonated with you, 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.
Together, we can educate, advocate, and remind others that no one has to navigate chronic illness alone.
With gratitude,
Founder • Author • Advocate • Future Wellness Coach
Kia Lorice
The Dual Diagnosis Diaries 💜
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