How I Rebound from Infectious Diseases
Jean Criss
As a healthy woman most of my life, I never thought of myself as a warrior. I did not inherit chronic illnesses. I obtained most thru medical or surgical complications and had to work through each one as grueling as it was. I overcame adversity from personal and professional life changes while the physical and emotional toll got the best of me recovering from medical ailments in recent years. I did my best to keep a positive attitude, got up every day, took good care of myself, my family and put my best foot forward in the workplace as an entrepreneur. This story is about hope, belief, inspiration, and strength. How I pushed forward through challenging health issues to find the silver lining in life.
As they say, thru thick or thin, we must be resilient and persevere to live a healthy life as we may contend with multiple medical conditions. Well I’ve been diagnosed with about a dozen IDs (Infectious Diseases) in the past fifteen years including MRSA, Breast Cellulitis three times, C-Diff gone undetected for well over two years causing many other infections to fix my gut, Staph, Bacterial and Breast radiation infections, a run-in with Lyme Disease, Auto-Immune, Celiac, and over 60 challenging food and drug allergies on my plate. While MRSA and Cellulitis were life-threatening in each instance, it became quite difficult to have a quick and normal recovery and to focus on positive mind, body, and soul healing. Each time I sought treatment, I figured out a personal plan of action from diagnosis thru treatment. Treatments never went smoothly as planned due in part to my growing list of allergies with medicines and antibiotic intolerance, however, with Infectious Disease doctors and other top physicians by my side, I slowly recovered. They devised collaborative treatment plans that worked. I say collaborate because it took cooperation and knowledge on my part to heal, from hospital ward isolation to self-administered IV-therapy, among others. I was often told I was a‘1 in a million’ patient -- well, after hearing that numerous times, it got old FAST! I did not want to be that unique gal or clinical trial patient testing new waters rather one that worked with established and FDA approved drugs and proven remedies to help me recover.
I have always been the type of person to walk the straight and narrow road, keep my head raised high, and live a healthy positive life. However, when things get you down and your health is basically in the gutter, it is very tough to get up off the ground. I struggled with depression, anxiety, and PTSD caused from ongoing medical complications with these stressful experiences.
What became apparent with these life-threatening illnesses was that I had to get up to speed quickly to learn about so many foreign medical subject matters affecting me in order to ask the right questions and seek the proper healthcare and treatment. I was not your ‘typical sit back and let the doctors do the walking’ type of person. I engaged. I got involved. I got educated. I learned. I then gave back and innovated. It came full circle. This became my calling in life - my 2nd act.
Today, some of those anxieties may haunt me but I’ve learned to channel positive energy with self-motivation into writing and creativity as therapy. Entrepreneurship and innovation work for me. Being resilient is key and to a successful recovery with strength, belief, and perseverance to survive. I find solitude heals me during terrifying times, yet it opens my mind with ideas and clear vision. I focus on the future, positive events, and things in life to look forward to. True BLISS!
They say the most creative ideas come after experiencing tragedy or something painful in your life. Well the first positive thing I did after being ill the first time, was to write about my physical and emotional pain in a trilogy, My Pain Woke Me Up, and it sure did!
Read more about Jean’s journey in My Pain Woke Me Up: BLISS! On sale in e-book or soft cover.
I became an entrepreneur focused on creative media services, extending into fashion and tech. I took my 30+ years and created a portfolio of products and services to engage those who may have similar experiences and to inspire others. I tested the waters with products using integrated digital media serving our local communities extending to other mediums and creative services in new and exciting industries. I dabbled with invention and created a fashion and mobile product line to solve problems not only that I was facing, but I knew others were too. From uncomfortable, ugly post-surgical undergarments I wore to carrying too many cords to charge our mobile devices. So, whether it was my Infectious Diseases, Breast Cancer post-surgical experiences, or my personal life changes that inspired me, I got creative. I juggled projects from cut ‘n sew fashion design to 3D mobile design and challenged myself. I figured out how to apply my background to new and foreign industries to be useful. Having good health already was a self-motivator with my family, so I did not need much more inspiration than that! I was not looking for fame rather new ways to innovate contemporary products in traditional marketplaces that were getting stale, in my opinion.
Today with COVID19, we can all agree while this is a horrific, unexpected worldwide pandemic, it has affected us in some way, personally or professionally, whether you have had the virus or not. While our global wellness providers race to the finish line with solutions, treatment, and vaccines, we need to demonstrate patience and resilience. Our stressors are maxed-out, yet we must collaborate and learn to improve best practices going forward. I look back at my personal journey with Infectious Diseases and how I overcame to rebound one infection at a time, and how this has changed my life drastically from 15 years ago. I hope you can find your silver lining while being homebound. We all need to see that rainbow on the horizon to seek new adventures in life, providing inspiration, innovation, and happiness. Sometimes bad things happen for a reason to bring out the best in all of us.
A few healthy self-awareness tips that come to mind.
Follow your heart - get inspired. Creativity is at your doorsteps.
Jot down ideas of inspiration and ideation. Act on them if you are inspired to do so.
Get educated about your health and our healthcare system.
Select Physicians/Specialists you like. Seek 2nd or 3rd opinions when needed.
Find your voice! Ask informed questions. Speak up and out.
Make a list of questions. Bring them with you to doctor appointments.
Review your checklists and alternative treatments with loved ones or family members.
Do not let anxieties build up. Talk to a friend, a counselor. Seek help.
Listen to others. Be open to new ideas and methodologies.
Devise and adjust/tweak Best Practices.
Work your plan. Find your voice and use it.
Identify triggers and treatments. Keep top of mind.
Identify consequences. Learn from mistakes and behaviors.
Repeat your plan (consistency, milestones, measurements).
Share and collaborate with teams. Bond with family and friends.
Remember your friends. Defriend those who are not.
Respect and support our healthcare workers with pride.
Eat healthy, live, and exercise for healthy living.
Share your love, wisdom, and knowledge. Ditch the egos.
A bright light will shine upon you. Be positive. Have energy. Be motivated.
Take time to heal and recover with a stronger self will and attitude.
Practice positive mind, body and soul for strong health and wellness.
Jean Criss is an Entrepreneur, Author, Fashion Designer and Breast Cancer Survivor. Jean writes about survivor stories, advancements in health and wellness, breast technologies, bras, and brands. You can follow Jean on social media, Share and Like her articles, info@crisscrossintimates.com. #CRISSCROSSIntimates #JeanCrissMedia
Wishing you all the breast, Jean Criss
