Support Taylor's Journey to Health and Stability

Hi everyone. My name is Taylor. I am 25 years young. This is extremely difficult for me to even start. I’ve always been the type of person who refuses to ask for help. I’ve always tried to figure out a way to get through the obstacles in life. This time, I feel stuck. I feel lost. I feel confused. I’ve never felt so hopeless when it comes to my health issues and financial loss. I finally have reached a point I need to be ok with asking for help. At 25 years old, I’ve been medically disabled and unstable to work or drive.

My physical therapist told me “Just because you look fine doesn’t mean you aren’t struggling or aren’t suffering.” I have an illness that isn’t visible. Not every chronic illness/health condition is physically visible.

My Life Story Struggling with Illnesses:

My entire life I’ve struggled with my health. The moment I came into this world I was fighting my way. I was born 2 months early at 2lbs - premature. I was always ill growing up. My turning moment was getting mononucleosis when I was 8 years old. That moment affected my life ever since. 10 years later, I was hit with mononucleosis AGAIN along with tonsillitis which led me to stay in the hospital for a week. I was on the brick of death due to my airways closing shut. I started to suffer from chronic migraines when I was about 15. It slowly started to get worse. When I was between the ages of 17-21, I was in and out of the hospital for migraines. I would have such a bad migraine every year, that would last for weeks. Making me miss school and work. The only thing that helped was being in a dark room OR going to the hospital for the “Migraine Cocktail”. I got diagnosed with chronic migraines at age 21. I’ve been getting Botox injections for them ever since. Which is extremely costly. I have to get 30+ needles to the neck, shoulders, temples, etc every 3 months. Of course, I was affected during COVID. In 2022, I got COVID the first time. It was horrible and led me to be in the hospital. My second time getting COVID was 2023. In between that time, I got a concussion in 2022. I was working a job at a dog day care and two labs pinned me against a fence. I got struck in the face and had multiple blows to my head one of the dogs. To this day, it’s hard for me to piece together what happened. All I can remember is ending up on the ground confused. I had a black eye on top of that too. I went to the ER the next day and got diagnosed with a concussion and referred to occupational therapy.

Fast forward 2 years later to the present time: My life started to alternate drastically. My personality started to change. I threw myself into work. I love working and staying busy. However, I started have less interest in doing the things I use to. I started to notice when I would walk long periods of time or move my head to quickly, I would get a rush throughout my head. My vision goes black and fuzzy and I’ll get lightheaded and horrible vertigo. It won’t go away either. It feels like I’m rocking on a boat. Horrible nausea to the point I’m always sick to my stomach. Being around overstimulation makes me sick and dizzy. Hard to make decisions. That’s not all my symptoms of course, but every single day I wake up - I feel awful. Sometimes I wish I could just trade my body in for a new one. I would do anything to go back to my old self.

My current diagnosis:

October 2024, I started vestibular physical therapy. I got diagnosed with persistent post concussion syndrome and vestibular migraines. Due to the hospital and occupational therapy not giving me the proper care the day I had my concussion, I am now medically disabled. I also got diagnosed with PoTs (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). I also got diagnosed with jaw issues. My jaw is shifted to the left. I have TMJ issues and very bad jaw pain. It will result in me having to have jaw surgery and chin surgery. I’m currently on braces to correct my teeth and my jaw issues may be a contribution to my vertigo. I will also have to have teeth removed to make more room for the oral surgeon to complete my surgery.

I am in physical therapy twice a week. I am in and out of doctor’s appointments. I am suppose to have IV therapy and massages to relieve my symptoms but of course come with a high price. As for my surgery, it’s extremely expensive especially because I will need chin surgery (insurance doesn’t cover) to make my face even with the jaw corrections. My jaw surgery will be in about a year or two. With having to have teeth removed and stay in braces. It’s all medical debt I never expected to have. I don’t know when or if I’ll be able to live the life I use to know. My life has changed. I may never be able to do the things I use love.

This journey has been hard for me to accept or understand. At the same time, I am blessed to put some of the puzzle pieces together. It’s overwhelming to have multiple health issues stacked on top of one another.

I will continue to update on this with my journey and how things are going. I appreciate anything you contribute. You don’t realize how much it helps me during this hard time. Your donations will go towards my monthly bills and my medical needs. If you can’t donate, all I ask is you send prayers for good health and take the time to share. Again, thank you!