Where is The Care in Healthcare?

 

Submitted by Cassandra Hill

I can recall being in college and being up half the night studying for finals. A few days later I nearly fainted. When I went to the doctor, tests were run and it was determined that I was anemic. 

Starting medication for anemia made an improvement in my health however I had moments where I just did not feel right. After completing my bachelor’s degree and starting graduate school my health declined a little more. My doctor told me it was stress. Unfortunately, I listened to him and did not dig deeper. 

Why did he assume it stress? A twenty-something-year-old woman passing out and it is because of stress. Having difficulty walking and it is from stress? No tests were performed on me so it seems strange that he could reach a diagnosis from talking to me for a few minutes. 

At the age of 27, I became pregnant. Unfortunately, I went into labor after one month of pregnancy. The doctor informed me that miscarriage is fairly common in the first pregnancy and there was no need to be concerned. When I became pregnant again with twins and lost them, I was distraught. After several tests and going to specialists all over I never got an answer.

After five miscarriages doctors still could not give me an answer. However, with God’s help eventually, I got my answer. Four years after my last miscarriage I started feeling really sick. In my gut, I knew there was a connection between my sickness and pregnancies. After requesting all my medical records and doing extensive research I concluded that I had some type of autoimmune condition probably lupus. With this knowledge, I went to the doctor and requested testing specifically for autoimmune conditions. The test came back positive and I was diagnosed with systemic lupus. 

Sadly, my story is too common. Many women of color are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed in regard to chronic illnesses. It is so important for us to advocate for ourselves. No one knows your body better than YOU! Educate yourself on ways to live a proactive healthy lifestyle. Many black women are dying prematurely whether it’s childbirth or a chronic disease, it is time for a change. The change will start with each one of us. 

Remember your body is priceless. God made you in His image and no doctor, nurse, or any healthcare practitioner knows your body than you. Trust your gut. I nearly lost my life by not advocating for myself. Please do not follow in my footsteps. Black women have the second-highest rate of lupus among the population. It is a silent disease that is plaguing our community and the silence ends now. 

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS!

 

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Blog Post, HerStoryTashonta Fairmanherstory, racism, discrimination, personal story, patient bias, discrimination in medicine, misdiagnosisComment