How to face CVID
Aubrey lives with CVID. Audrey is my hero because she represents, hope, faith, patience, tenacity, resilience, and an intentionality to deal with and accept her challenges.
Four Columns has had the privilege of talking to Klyn Elsbury regarding cystic fibrosis, Bethany concerning PCOS, Dayna about EDS, and many others regarding mental, emotional, physical, and emotional issues regarding health, finance, and marriage.
A resilient mindset refers to the ability to adapt, bounce back, and cope with challenges, setbacks, and difficult situations in a positive and productive manner. It is the mental attitude that allows individuals to maintain a sense of balance, hope, and determination during tough times. Resilience does not mean being immune to stress or adversity, but rather, it’s the capacity to effectively deal with and grow from these experiences.
Aubrey has a resilient mindset. Every woman that I have interviewed dealing with health issues is optimistic. They tend to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity. They see challenges as temporary and believe they can overcome them. Resilient women are adaptable flexible and open to change. They are willing to adjust their strategies and perspectives when needed. Aubrey developed problem-solving skills to seek solutions to CVID and take constructive actions to address difficulties. Aubrey is self-aware and understands her emotions, thoughts, and reactions. This self-awareness allows her to better manage her emotional responses.
A resilient woman will have a strong support and network to provide emotional support, encouragement, and help during tough times. Aubrey has determination and persistence when facing obstacles, not giving up easily. She has a sense of purpose and has healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress.
Finally, a resilient woman practices mindfulness that can regulate her emotions effectively, preventing negative emotions from overwhelming them.
Developing a resilient mindset is essential because it empowers individuals to face life’s challenges with a constructive and growth-oriented attitude. It is a skill that can be nurtured and strengthened over time through self-awareness, practice, and learning from experiences. By cultivating resilience, individuals can better navigate the ups and downs of life, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.
I have a tendency to complain and not be grateful. Every time I go on a downward spiral, I read Aubrey’s or the different blogs of the women I have interviewed. Because my eyesight is great, my immune system is functioning, blood is flowing through my veins, I have a job, a roof over my head, and friends and family who love me.
As you read this interview, take your time and come back again, because Aubrey has a lesson for every one of you as she deals with CVID. Write back to me or comment on what you have learned from her.
Aubrey, a pleasure to have you on Four Columns. I want to know something unique about you.
I am from Kansas City, I have lived in Colorado, and I currently live in San Diego, California. So, I have experienced living in multiple regions in the US!
You talk about being diagnosed with CVID. What is it?
CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency) is a type of primary immunodeficiency that impairs the functions of the immune system. It causes the lack of essential antibodies to fight off illness. It is categorized as a rare disease and 1 in 25,000 to 50,000 people have it. Patients with CVID use immunoglobulin replacement therapy to replace some of the necessary antibodies in order to protect themselves from severe infections. CVID can increase the risk of other diseases like lymphoma.
Walk me through what you felt when you got diagnosed. How did you come to terms with it?
When I was diagnosed, I was very shocked and confused. I had been fighting illnesses for over 6 months and had no idea what was happening in my body. I had never heard of CVID, but it sounded scary. When I was told that I would have to rely on donated plasma for the rest of my life, I was really sad. Plus, I had to administer the treatment myself, which meant dealing with needles, which I’m not very fond of.
The shock wore off after a couple of weeks, and it took me a while to be comfortable with the treatment. Over the next few years, I began to understand my body better and I felt less upset. I stopped worrying about things I can’t control.
I admire your hope, strength, and resilience to overcome the challenges of life. Give my readers some tips on how to overcome challenges.
Thank you!
In life, I tell myself to let go of things I can’t control. What is meant to be will be, and I can’t do anything to change it. Instead, I focus my energy on things that I can change, and try to find ways to feel better physically and mentally.
Remember to love yourself and forgive yourself for anything in the past, so that you can move forward and be excited for the future. The way that you speak to yourself is so important. Negative self-talk will really hurt you in the long run. Remember that your feelings are valid, and if you are in a dark place, surround yourself with those that love you and find someone to talk to about it!
Talk to me about what CVID has taught you about how precious life and health are.
As a young person, I never thought about my health that much. I hardly was sick as a child, and I thought that I would always be healthy.
I have learned that life is unexpected and we are not guaranteed anything. I have become grateful for the good things in life and realized that things can change at any moment. Life is very fragile and we never know what is coming next, but there is a part of that that is very exciting. All we have is today in the present moment there is no use in dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Make sure to go to the doctor and listen to signals from your body! Trust your intuition!
What does women’s empowerment mean to you?
Women’s empowerment means inspiring and supporting women in their endeavors so that they can be successful. We need to uplift women, especially if they are entering male-dominated fields.
As a young woman, I often felt belittled and treated by many men like I wasn’t as intelligent as they were. I was too “girly.”
Being a woman is an amazing thing, and we must treat it as such. When we come together, we can create a community of love and empowerment. Women deserve to feel heard and understood, especially because so many of their voices have been silenced for so long.
Talk to me about the city you live and the food scene and why we should visit.
San Diego is arguably the best city in the United States because it has beautiful ocean views, picturesque mountains, and you can find every type of food here. There are so many fun areas to explore. Among my favorites are Little Italy, La Jolla, and Coronado Island.
It is only a 30-minute drive to Mexico and a 2 1/2-hour drive to Los Angeles.
The food scene is amazing, I really love Little Italy, because there is authentic pasta, sandwiches, and pizza. I also love the sushi in San Diego since you are right on the water, the sushi is so fresh and there are a lot of fun different restaurants to try. Many restaurants have an ocean view or a downtown view, which is really fun. There are also a lot of breweries and speakeasies.
If you have never been, you should definitely make a visit.
Help me understand in what ways can we be sensitive to someone like you who has an immune issue. What to say what not to say.
I like when someone cares enough to ask how I am doing and is interested in learning more about my disease and my plasma treatments. I know that it can be kind of awkward to talk to someone with a chronic illness if they have not experienced it themselves.
If you are speaking to someone with a disease like mine, I think that it’s really important to not make assumptions or downplay their experience. It can be both hard to explain the disease and also hard to understand it.
Since it’s an invisible illness, I can only tell instead of show, so I want people to listen!
How important is self-care to you?
Self-care is extremely important to me. I write about it a lot on my website because I think that it is easy to forget to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself. Oftentimes people feel guilty, and they feel selfish when they focus on just themselves.
But, it’s pertinent to take time for yourself and do things that benefit your physical and mental well-being. That way, you won’t get burnt out.
Some days, I just light my candles, lay in bed, eat my favorite food, and watch TV. And it’s amazing because I am doing things that I love!
Everyone deserves to treat themselves.
There is a mental and emotional aspect that comes with your diagnosis. How are you dealing with that aspect?
In the beginning, I was not dealing with it very well. I thought that I was cursed, that I was unlucky, and that I did something to deserve this.
I would be jealous of my healthy friends, and long for my old self.
However, over time I became more comfortable with it, and I realized that my treatment helped me feel so much better.
I am grateful for modern medicine, and I have started to cherish my life.
I had to stop reasoning why this happened to me because there is no real reason. It just happened and there is nothing that I can do to change it, so I have to stop worrying about it and I have reached a point of acceptance.
Sometimes it really sucks to do my plasma treatment. However, these moments are fleeting. I allow myself to be upset, I validate my own feelings, and when I am ready, I move forward. It is totally okay to be upset and anxious, and I am not going to be positive 100% of the time. But I don’t need to be, I just need to be myself and trust that what is meant to be will be.
I feel so much better now, and I know that time has healed many of my wounds. I am so proud of myself for how far I have come, and I am excited for the future instead of fearful.
