For the last couple years I've faced some pretty traumatic health issues.  I saw a doctor who ran all the tests, and all the tests came back normal.

I was literally told, "Just wait and see."

This year I saw a new doctor and got a referral to a specialist, whom I saw this week.

It was a very hard appointment for me.  I started crying just at the check-in desk and pretty much didn't stop the entire hour I was there.  A lot of emotions - nervousness, fear, anxiety, dread.  Honestly, it was just hard to bring all this back up again.

But this amazing doctor actually gave me a diagnosis.

And along with the diagnosis, he gave me back a whisper of hope.

The previous doctor had pretty much written me off.

And along with him, I had also written myself off.

This new diagnosis has a possible treatment.  It includes a medication with vicious side effects.  I've had just a glimpse, and it was brutal.

There's no easy solution.  And no guarantees.

But I have hope again.

And for that I am grateful.