I’m Calandra and I am currently 30 years old, a very shy & private person. Back in February of 2025, I was admitted into the hospital for many reasons which was very scary and life changing. Not only did I have a plethora of issues, I or the doctors were not sure of the cause(s). I had been oddly ill beforehand, as far back as 2023 with vomiting randomly. It was enough to where it was happening monthly or even sometimes weekly. As time went on, life got even harder because I lost my mother at the end of 2023 amongst some other life challenges at the beginning of 2024 that really devastated my life. Then, fatigue, mood changes, and depression hit. So, I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with stress related issues which required me to focus on my diet and was put on a temporary antidepressant to help. Things really didn’t change for the better much. My weight severely dropped rapidly within a few months, losing close to 60 pounds that rapidly. Still feeling very fatigued, very little motivation, and just all around mentally & physically lost, I decided to give some more time to see if my body would feel better. After some time had passed, I experienced elbow pain after a night’s rest in January of 2025. Not thinking much of it, I wrapped my arm in a bandage in hopes it would get better. After about a week with the wrap, I was still experiencing pain in the arm. So, I took the wrap off and hoped that it would get better on its own because what was I thinking? I am not a doctor so I can’t do self care. Unfortunately, life happened and I became distracted for a few weeks not thinking of my arm and its urgency which led me to go to Urgent Care. After seeing a doctor, he directed me to do scans and some bloodwork to see what was going on. After the results came back, the doctor called and stated that I needed to go directly to the emergency room because my red blood cell count was so alarmingly low that I shouldn’t have been alive, in addition to, my white blood cell count was extremely high which meant my body was fighting for my life. As I sat in the ER, I couldn’t believe what was happening. I felt fine! The past few weeks felt normal, but with some oddities. I had what felt like heat flashes throughout the nights, difficulty sleeping, and severe fatigue, however, nothing that felt out of the ordinary. But when I was admitted into the hospital, they advised that they were fevers which shocked me. They drew some blood and tested it to begin the investigation. After reviewing the labs, they then proceeded to give me a multiple blood transfusions, on top of, more tests and scans. As the ER doctor was reviewing my previous ailments, it came to her attention that my left clavicle was raised and had fluid in it. So of course she numbed it and drained puss, she became really worried. She tested the fluid and sent me to another section of the ER to be seen by another doctor who decided to do even more tests. Still no word as to what was going on with my body or if there was any possibility of getting close to an answer. After a day in the ER, I was sent to ICU where I would spend many days. In the midst of my stay in the ICU, I was told that I would need surgery to remove my left clavicle because it had become necrotic at the tip in my chest and had started eating away at itself. At this point I was flabbergasted as this was a major surgery in my eyes and it came to me as a complete shock that my body was destroying itself. At this point I’m scared, not sure if I’m strong enough to go through with the surgery and having to deal with it. As I layed in the pre-op room with my family, I cried many tears, but came to terms with life and said my goodbyes internally just in case. After the surgery was complete, I remember being escorted to the recovery room, feeling very ill, thinking I made it through and going back to sleep from the medication. As I woke up fully, I was in the ICU with a very nice nurse who gave me medication for my nausea and pain. I was so elated to have made it through the surgery. This began my journey with a wound vac which is very uncomfortable and limiting. Then, as I was put into a normal room after a couple of days in the ICU, I was reviewed again and told that I had holes all over my bones, but there were two concerningly large holes in my left femur which also required surgery to insert a permanent rod. The surgeon also advised if I didn’t go through with the surgery, I would eventually break my leg and that healing process would be much harder to recover from. Again, still dealing with the first surgery, I was shocked of this news as well. At this point, I have a complete breakdown because I had so much responsibility on my plate, that I knew having these surgeries would completely alter my life. From home life, to work, to daily living, I was unsure of what my future would look like. So, I proceeded with the left femur surgery which required me to relearn how to walk properly amongst other things like using the bathroom, walking up and down stairs, getting in and out of cars, and how to strengthen my legs to hold my body weight. Thankfully family and friends did their best to help me keep my head up to keep moving forward and even helped to pay for some of my necessities for home recovery and bills for a two months. However, after 3 weeks in the hospital, I finally received somewhat of an answer. Cancer and severe autoimmune diseases were ruled out which left me with the possibility of having tuberculosis. That was the closest that they could get with the possibility of me also having Lupus (as I was very ill) & arthritis due to my elbow still being locked in a 90 degree angle. After the fourth week in the hospital, I was able to go home! It was a very intense stay, but it was wonderful to get fresh air and to be back in my own place. It was a lot of doctors, nurses, physical therapy, and all around process to be back home. Home recovery was very challenging, which led me to look forward in healing. Many doctors appointments came the following week, which fortunately gave me my final major diagnosis. I have what is called MAC-micro avium complex which is treated like tuberculosis, but not as severely unless my bone is exposed directly which it is not due to having a wound vac. This diagnosis was very rare and stumped many doctors and nurses even to this day. I am very grateful for my medical team that work hard in my discovery and recovery. Unfortunately, MAC has taken a toll on my life and altered many things. First, my health physically, mentally, and emotionally. Second, my ability to walk, eat, or do things without assistance from another person all the down to using the bathroom, going to appointments, changing clothes, laundry, or doing my hair. Thirdly, my ability to work has severely suffered due to the many hospital visits and stays that it has become impossible to pay bills. Usually, I am very independent, responsible & smart with managing bills amongst other duties. However, I am at my lowest in life and putting my pride to the side due to owing many medical and home bills from having little to no income. Currently, I would like to catch up on bills as it would relieve a lot of stress and have the ability to see specialists in Chicago to help take one step closer to assist me in getting better health wise. There is a high risk of me getting sicker as time goes on, therefore I am consistently worried of how much more my body can withstand before I expire, but I’m holding on to hope and faith!