I have surgery coming up on Wednesday of this week. Feeling hopeful that it will work. I have an autoimmune condition called Systemic Sclerosis that attacks my esophagus, heart, and lungs. It's caused me to have severe reflux that has damaged my esophagus causing Barrett's esophagus and poor swallowing function along with damage to my lungs and vocal cords. I have lung nodules and damage in all 4 lung fields. We have done everything over the last few years to fix it and slow it down, but nothing has worked. I'm 41 with two young kids.
The doctors have told me if we don't stop the reflux from further damaging my esophagus and lungs, I will eventually end up with a feeding tube and most likely need a lung transplant by the time my kids graduate high school. They are 5 and 8.
They are doing surgery to reconstruct my lower esophagus, it's risky because it could further impact my swallowing function but the risk of not is far greater long term health wise. We are hoping the lung damage will stop from progressing and the esophagus will begin to heal if the surgery is successful.
It's all pretty scary, my poor mom is a mess with worry. If you saw me in person, you'd have no idea I was even sick. I keep upbeat about everything and stay busy with writing, art, home and kids. I've been very blessed in the last year as far as my illustration career goes and signing with Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
With a young family, an amazing husband and a growing career of my dreams, I'm at the beginning of many something wonderfuls. Special thanks to @Will-Terry @Lee-White and @Jake-Parker on that front. 
Being a part of this wonderful community of artists has been nothing short of amazing and I'm very thankful to have this place to visit as I spend my summer of healing watching SVS classes, reading, writing and enjoying my kids/hubby and some beach time.
We are thankful that we have found a doctor who is able to give us hope. If you have time to send out a few good thoughts for us this week, we'd appreciate it. My little family of four is in need of a small miracle.
Thanks, all and happy creating!
