Diagnosed, But Not Defeated

Meet Cassandra. She’s a mom, a wife, a dancer, a podcast host, a therapist, and also someone who is part of a very small percentage of people with an incredibly rare autoimmune disease. Although her disease is rare, her experience is far too common. In this episode, she shares her experience of getting a diagnosis, only to find out it wasn’t correct, and how her entire life changed in a matter of months.

Be sure to check out Cassandra’s podcast, Diagnosed, But Not Defeated for more about her journey, as well as others who also are facing their own health challenges.

Available to listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kGxLAx29llOK4sAMPgLkk
And check it out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiagnosedButNotDefeated
-----
Topics discussed in this episode include:
misdiagnosis, grief, rare diseases, autoimmune disease, lupus, migraines, dermatomyositis, cancer, hair loss, invisible illness, spoon theory, self care, therapy, family, women’s health
-----
Helpful resources and links mentioned in and related to this episode:

More on dermatomyositis: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/dermatomyositis/

Support groups for women facing hair loss:
https://www.hairlossinwomen.org/womens-hair-loss-resources/cope-with-hair-loss/
https://www.supportgroups.com/hair-loss

Support groups for those with lupus:
www.mylupusteam.com
www.lupus.org

Spoon Theory: 
https://www.healthline.com/health/spoon-theory-chronic-illness-explained-like-never-before#1
https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

-----
Organizations there to help you in those partly cloudy days:
NAMI- National Alliance of Mental Illness- www.nami.org
NAMI Helpline 800-950-6264
Or  text "NAMI" to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling
On Instagram @namicommunicate

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- www.afsp.org
Call 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741
On Instagram @afspnational

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Call 1-800-273-825

If you are facing depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, please reach out. Use the resources included here. Call or text a loved one. Talk to someone. Although it may not feel like it at the moment, I promise; You are loved. You are cherished. You are deserving of life.
-----
All the socials:
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/partlycloudypod
Follow us on Instagram @partlycloudypod
Write us at [e-mail]

Partly Cloudy and Dandelions is created, edited, produced, and hosted by Stephanie Charlton. Art and logo created by Cassandra Whitney. Music by Monplaisir from Pixabay.