Candice P.

Spring, TX
Social Media: @mastcastpod; @the_chronic_hobbyist
Indolent systemic mastocytosis
Twist on SM: Indolent systemic mastocytosis, like many invisible chronic illnesses, can have a profound impact on how a person feels from day to day. It becomes a thing to constantly manage. A new and clingy “friend.” And also like many chronic illnesses, it can take from you – your hobbies, your social life, foods, and sometimes some of your favorite activities. Through the diagnostic process to treatment, I have learned the power of my own resilience, found my voice that I use to advocate not only for myself but for my community, and I see health for the precious gift that it is. While disease can force unexpected life changes, it can also open many new avenues for connection and purpose. I choose to focus on my new and renewed purpose – speaking up for myself and others like me, highlighting our voices, speaking our experiences to people who can impact change, and advocating for visibility. I’ll never live without this disease. It will always be with me, and because of that, I will always be somewhat subject to its whims. But I know that I can help bring about meaningful change by sharing my experiences so others like me may not feel so alone, and folks who do not battle invisible illness might better understand the battles being waged that they don’t always see.