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I'm Michelle Ruzicka. I used to enjoy mixed martial arts, powerlifting, and running. I thought I was well on my way to the Marine Corps-- until my 17th birthday.
On November 10th, 2014, I was diagnosed with Graves' disease (an autoimmune disease) and it is now in remission. About a month later, an ER trip and a CT scan revealed two masses in my chest. One was the size of my fist and located right by the heart, and was drained and biopsied with thoracic surgery on January 26th, 2015. The other is still on my left lung, and may require a resection or removal of the organ in the future. The results of my biopsy concluded that I have noncaseating, necrotizing granuloma that was NOT caused by fungus, infection, or cancer.
My disease is not cancer as we originally feared, but instead is a rare disease called sarcoidosis. There is no cure for this autoimmune inflammatory disease, but I fight it every day. Sarcoidosis has caused chaos in every system in my body: my muscles and joints are severely weakened and inflamed, my GI tract is affected (though we can't be sure the extent without exploratory surgery) to the point where I simply cannot eat anything without getting and feeling very sick, and my nervous system is believed to also be affected by sarcoidosis. I have what Mayo clinic doctors called a functional movement disorder, but the recommended medications, physical and cognitive brain therapies that I have practiced, used and tried do not help. Instead, I am losing more and more voluntary motor control, coordination, and overall stamina every day. These are just a few of my issues caused by sarcoidosis; the disease also causes vision issues, muscle spasms, heart palpitations, insomnia, difficulty breathing, chronic migraines, fatigue, fever and chills, depression, and anxiety. The list STILL could go on! Each of these things is part of my new "normal", every day.
Despite my pain, fear and number of new challenges, I am trying to graduate high school with my class (go Class of 2016!) on time, find and build a life for myself after high school, and hopefully slow the progression of my sarcoidosis by taking a high dose of prednisone (a steroid) and injections of methotrexate (a strong immunosuppressant; most people can take pills, but with my entire GI tract being attacked by sarcoidosis, I cannot absorb them properly). So far, there has been little to no improvement, but my family and I have hope that in 2-5 years my body will stop creating new masses (microscopic and visible), stop damaging my organs any further, and I will retain what motor control I still have.
I am a proud person, and asking for help is difficult. I wish to spread awareness for my disease and for anybody going through a similar medical issue. Without a cure, it is difficult to find the will to fight some days. Every day may be a struggle, but with your help, I will be able to afford treatment, surgeries and a new wheelchair and other equipment customized for my condition. If you have any questions or want to show your support, feel free to follow me on Facebook! Search for Michelle Rani Ruzicka!
On November 10th, 2014, I was diagnosed with Graves' disease (an autoimmune disease) and it is now in remission. About a month later, an ER trip and a CT scan revealed two masses in my chest. One was the size of my fist and located right by the heart, and was drained and biopsied with thoracic surgery on January 26th, 2015. The other is still on my left lung, and may require a resection or removal of the organ in the future. The results of my biopsy concluded that I have noncaseating, necrotizing granuloma that was NOT caused by fungus, infection, or cancer.
My disease is not cancer as we originally feared, but instead is a rare disease called sarcoidosis. There is no cure for this autoimmune inflammatory disease, but I fight it every day. Sarcoidosis has caused chaos in every system in my body: my muscles and joints are severely weakened and inflamed, my GI tract is affected (though we can't be sure the extent without exploratory surgery) to the point where I simply cannot eat anything without getting and feeling very sick, and my nervous system is believed to also be affected by sarcoidosis. I have what Mayo clinic doctors called a functional movement disorder, but the recommended medications, physical and cognitive brain therapies that I have practiced, used and tried do not help. Instead, I am losing more and more voluntary motor control, coordination, and overall stamina every day. These are just a few of my issues caused by sarcoidosis; the disease also causes vision issues, muscle spasms, heart palpitations, insomnia, difficulty breathing, chronic migraines, fatigue, fever and chills, depression, and anxiety. The list STILL could go on! Each of these things is part of my new "normal", every day.
Despite my pain, fear and number of new challenges, I am trying to graduate high school with my class (go Class of 2016!) on time, find and build a life for myself after high school, and hopefully slow the progression of my sarcoidosis by taking a high dose of prednisone (a steroid) and injections of methotrexate (a strong immunosuppressant; most people can take pills, but with my entire GI tract being attacked by sarcoidosis, I cannot absorb them properly). So far, there has been little to no improvement, but my family and I have hope that in 2-5 years my body will stop creating new masses (microscopic and visible), stop damaging my organs any further, and I will retain what motor control I still have.
I am a proud person, and asking for help is difficult. I wish to spread awareness for my disease and for anybody going through a similar medical issue. Without a cure, it is difficult to find the will to fight some days. Every day may be a struggle, but with your help, I will be able to afford treatment, surgeries and a new wheelchair and other equipment customized for my condition. If you have any questions or want to show your support, feel free to follow me on Facebook! Search for Michelle Rani Ruzicka!