Ticked

Hello, my name is Kendelle, I am 22 years old, and I am Ticked! I was recently diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease after 11 years of being misdiagnosed. Lyme Disease is transmitted by a tick bite, can be found all across the U.S., and is a debilitating disease that attacks the body's internal systems. My story began when I was 11 years old, my hair stopped growing, became thin and brittle and a random tooth rotted out of my mouth. Shortly after, my joints started to ache and I developed these painful red bumps and rashes that covered my legs. I had a biopsy of one of these bumps, which came back "inconclusive" and later began to tunnel leaving me with a hole in my leg that took 3 surgeries to fix. I had chronic sinus infections and Mono for 3 years that led to staph growing in my head. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome set in and it became very difficult to wake up and stay awake throughout the day. I spent 3 Christmases in the hospital because my eyes had swollen shut and I had staph sepsis. My mom had to bathe me when I was 18 because my body hurt so badly that I could not move on my own. Just last year, my body began to burn itself from the inside out on my hands and face, resulting in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Lyme Disease is a discouraging invisible illness that can knock you down, but I am determined to beat it and to share my story in the process of my treatment! My family has been and continues to be my biggest support system throughout all of this, and I couldn't be more thankful. I know that I couldn't get through this without them and I know that with God, there is hope! Next month, I will graduate from college with 3 bachelors degrees and I couldn't be more excited! These hats are my way of sharing my story, giving opportunities to support, and to create a conversation so we can raise awareness of Lyme Disease and break the stigma that surrounds mental and invisible illnesses. Thank you for your support! :)