On Wednesday, April 5, I woke up and told myself “Something is wrong. You cannot do this by yourself.” My chest pain and breathing had gotten to a point where I knew it could become fatal if I didn’t get help. I decided to go to the ER and after the initial X-ray, I found out that my left lung was nearly full of fluid, along with fluid around my heart, and a bit of fluid in my right lung. But what is causing it?

After attending the Dreamville Festival this weekend in Raleigh and nearly being trampled by the crowd fleeing the sound of “gunshots”, the impact I received to my chest while fleeing from the event was at the top of my mind as I waited to hear back from the doctor.

After receiving two thoracenteses, draining nearly 2.5 liters of fluid out of my left lung. With an echocardiogram, CT scans, and multiple blood tests, the doctors are still trying to determine why this happened. I have a biopsy and multiple appointments scheduled with specialists ahead of me.

I spent most of 2022 recovering from a different medical scare that happened last March and a kidney surgery that happened in July. I was beginning to get back into my routines and feel like myself again before this happened. I am still hopeful for healing and have been blessed to meet doctors that are truly invested in my well-being.

I am grateful to be surrounded by love and support over these past couple of days. As I continue this journey of healing, I am reaching out to my community in hopes of receiving extra support during this time.

Thoughts and Prayer are welcome and appreciated <3

MUCH LOVE,

Mika