London College of Fashion

Guys, I got in to my top choice school in London! I will be moving in August and getting my MA in Fashion Design Management at London College of Fashion. Obviously a lot has been going on between school, my surgery and my diagnoses--I will update as soon as possible on all fronts. I'm just taking a second to bask in this moment. Fuck it, I'm so proud of myself. Not just for getting into school (because that was a huge feat for me anyway) but just getting to this point.

Just goes to show if you listen to "Flawless" enough by Beyonce, all your dreams can come true.

I'm such a cornball. WHATEVER. 

Issues With My Tissues and Getting Into My Masters Program

Hi all.

It's been a wild week. First off (and the best news), I can finally say I have officially gotten in (so far) to 1/2 universities I applied to. I may have a chance of even getting a full ride scholarship. I'm still waiting to hear back from my top choice.

Just FYI to the other chronic pain people, I had listed myself as disabled for this school. You should know that during my interview not one question was brought up asking me about my condition. I love that. With the disability support, I will get the accommodations I need in case I have a flare and can't make to class, have to get an extension for a test or paper. I don't know how I'll need to be honest but it's just a security blanket at this point. It is immensely comforting to know that it's there. The UK seems to be much more sympathetic to disability.

I WILL OFFICIALLY BE MOVING TO LONDON IN AUGUST. Can you believe it? Can you fucking believe it? After all this time, everything that's happened has finally spiral into good news and something productive.

For the very few I may come across who are considered disabled and plan on studying and living abroad, I will continue to post tips/ideas/suggestions for moving and settling into a new, international city as I figure them out.

The next day, I finally had my first appointment with the top geneticist in the country, Dr. Francomano at GBMC. She was amazing, it was amazing. I was there for HOURS and finally got my official diagnosis: Hypermobile Type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a hereditary connective tissue disorder) with strong suspicion of Mast Cell Activation Disorder. To be honest, it was a little overwhelming and I'm currently not in the condition to go into great detail right now.

There are a lot of explanations I need to provide and tests I will be doing after my breast reduction surgery on February 19th. I will make separate posts about each/all of these things to explain further because, from the people I've told so far, there are A LOT of questions. If anyone reading as any questions at this point, feel from to email me from the "contact" section or post a comment and I will be sure to get back in touch with you.

Why Small Boobs Are Better--At Least for CMPS | Planning for Breast Reduction

So, part of the reason I've been so busy lately is because, after several doctors recommending it, I have been researching breast reduction surgery. In December I decided to get an eval to see and understand the timeline. The doctor agreed it would really benefit me and within a month, my insurance claim was accepted. Because of other potential variables which may come into play later, I scheduled my surgery for February 19th. Right now, I am a 34/36F looking to be a small C. While I am SO excited to be part of the IBTC, I am mildly terrified to get this surgery.

Yes,  3 years ago (pre-dx), I had 3 surgeries on my nose and while it was mostly medical, it went seamlessly. I would've done it again in a heartbeat. But now, with my pain, I have no idea what to expect after surgery. I've been asking some support groups and researching online. I feel like there's a small potential that my body will go completely AWOL and it'll ruin all of my progress. Best case scenario, it goes well with a little added pain. Because of my reactions to pain killers, I decided I won't be taking anything but extra strength Tylenol. 

At my pre-op appointment, however, I will be asking my doctor about a pain pump post op. I've learned from several people with CMP that they used a pain pump and their surgery went pretty seamlessly with just tylenol. A pain pump has local anesthetic which slowly pumps out through a very small catheter placed in the incision that can be kept in the wound site for 2-5 days. It also supposedly causes less nausea (which is what most of my problem was the first time around with my nose.) My surgery will be near Philadelphia, so we will be staying in a hotel for 3 days. I have been furiously planning for this. There aren't a TON of things on the internet and I love to over-plan. So consequently, a multi-tabed excel sheet has been made. 

Here is a handout author/MD Devin Starlanyl wrote that I am planning on giving my doctor. 

Large breasted women out there who are wondering about this---here are a few reasons:

-alleviate back/neck/shoulder pain

-help posture

-exercise easier/help lose weight 

(These things are all perpetuating factors to my condition.)

-reduce rashes under breasts 

-bras fit more comfortably 

Although, in some cases, some women are not able to breast feed and sometimes lose sensation in their breasts. All things I'm willing to forgo to have this surgery. (But I would be pretty happy if neither happened.)  I've seen pictures of some boobs immediately post op and they are terrifying (I've been referring to them to my parents as "Frankenstein tits".) but I decided I just won't look at them. I feel like if I saw them I'd cry, vom or both. Mom will be in charge.

Nearly every single person I've talked to has said it has greatly helped them. A lot of people even said they could feel an instantaneous difference. This excites me. 

At this point, I'm just honestly willing to do whatever it takes to feel better. But I am also excited to shop for new bras. :)