“You’re Making Up Symptoms,” They Laughed—Until the Specialist’s Report Came Back.

made me terrified of every cough in the grocery store. Infusions left me exhausted for days. But slowly—slowly—the fevers eased. The burning in my joints dulled from fire to ache. I could stand for longer than ten minutes without feeling like I’d tip over.

Family therapy started a month into treatment. Dr. Parker was a woman in her fifties with calm continue reading …