Hi! My name is Brandee West. I am 20 years old, and I am married to the love of my life, Samuel West. We got married on November 1st, 2018 after dating for 2 years exactly. It was the happiest day of my life, and a continuation of what would come to be one of the hardest journeys of my life. But I'm so thankful Sam and I have such an amazing, supportive family, and, of course, each other.
At the ripe young age of 18 months old, I was diagnosed with a skin condition called Pityriasis lichenoides chronica. Before my diagnosis, Doctors told my mom it was a rare terminal skin cancer, and I would die soon. I didn't, thankfully. When I was 2, I was diagnosed with a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I was one of the lucky ones, it didn't really affect me all that bad until I was a teenager. When I was 13, I started getting really sick, so tests were done, and it was decided that I had celiac disease. Then I didn't, and it was just an allergy. So I cut gluten from my diet and went on with life... For about 1 1/2 years. Then I started getting sick again, and something really scary came to light. I had done some research and found out that a condition linked to Ehlers-Danlos, called gastroparesis fit all of my symptoms descriptions. I never felt good, I was exhausted 24/7, I never had an appetite and when I did eat it made me really sick. So, I went to the doctor and sure enough, gastroparesis. Whoop Whoop!! I am also allergic to pretty much everything but dairy, and what I'm not allergic to, I can't eat with my other problems. Fun.
On top of that I have always had asthma, oh, and I get tumors in my sinus. I am missing exactly 2 molars, and I have a scar in my mouth reaching from right under my nose back to my jaw. That's come back twice, but I'm tumor free for about 5 years now. That's enough about me.
My hubby, Sam, has cystic fibrosis. He's had it for 26 years now. That's it, cystic fibrosis for 21 years. It's only one major thing, but it's terrifying. I remember the first time I spend the night at his house. He had so many coughing fits through the night, I was so scared for him (he let my try on his vest, it was odd, but as long as it helped him, it did t matter). Everything he's gone through all his life has only shown me how strong he is, and has helped me be strong for us. We will brave this storm together.
