Luna worked herself sick!

I worked myself sick !!

A short story by Luna Ávila.

Chapter One:

There’s a thing called working hard, right? Well, there’s also a thing called working TOO hard.

It’s funny, you’d think that if you love your job so much, your mind, body and soul would want to do it all the time. So I did. I overbooked myself heavy, traveling all the time, going on set, working on various projects, under my own brand. It was my dream, I was living it.

On July 19th 2024, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Ulcerative Colitis. Stage 3 Severe. This chronic disease develops and can possibly worsen as I grow old over time, I am now at a higher risk for colon cancer in the future, there is no cure. Only the body going into remission.

All this time, my body has been at war with itself and I was oblivious to it, completely blindsided. I gave so much love into my work and barely into my body and mind. I know that now.

Not too long after my diagnosis, I was diagnosed with four other health conditions in a span of one week. I felt like for the first time in my life, I have failed myself.

Ended up on bed rest-hurting, thinking, apologizing to the way I treated my body in overworking it for all these years. I couldn’t work in my condition, forcing me to cancel all my work gigs (which meant losing precious money) and forced me to slow down.

Going to doctors, numerous doctors. They all told me these phrases:

“You know, this all leads down to stress”

“It’s like stress is your personality”

“From everything you’ve gotten, it seems to me like it’s extreme stress.”

“Luna, just breathe.”

I laughed. Why did I laugh? This is serious, I definitely shouldn’t be laughing. I knew deep down they were right, but man was it funny. Relaxation is not my strong suit, in all honesty, I don’t exactly know how to relax! So I got angry with myself and the world, my body was shutting down and all I wanted to do was work again. My priorities are so backwards!

For the past month, I was forced to change my lifestyle, to actually be “lazy.” Or in better terms, to “rest.” My body now physically slows me down, I cannot push myself anymore like I used to. My food options are extremely limited now, my energy levels are limited, my body has now set boundaries to my mind.

•••

I am now in the healing era, with five different health conditions going on simultaneously, my medical insurance can only cover so much of my procedures, medicine and treatment. I still have a hefty amount of medical bills that need to be paid for. Remember, I do live in America! Already the bills have swallowed up majority of my bank account. In my condition I obviously cannot work. For the first time ever, I’m going to stop being afraid and ask for your help.

If you’re willing to contribute to my medical bills and my next month’s rent, I would very much appreciate it and give you free hugs. I love you all, but it’s time to love my body and mind now too.

Obrigada.

*you can also Zelle me via my cell number or Venmo me

Venmo: @Luna-Avila-1