Have you ever felt invisible? Have you ever gone to the doctor with complaints of not feeling well only to be dismissed by them? Do you or a loved one have a diagnosed or suspected autoimmune disease? 

On this episode, we welcome our guest Melissa Marquis, M.S., R.N., a nurse turned patient who shares her journey of perseverance and advocacy. 

It took over twelve years for Melissa Marquis to receive medical diagnoses for the multiple complex symptoms plaguing her. She credits her clinical expertise with providing an unmatched understanding on navigating the health-care system to obtain necessary care over her fifteen-year history of living with progressive, chronic, and rare autoimmune diseases. 

In her book, Invisible: A Nurse-Turned-Patient's Resource to Living Well with Autoimmune Disease, Melissa provides her medical and nursing expertise by explaining some of the numerous autoimmune diseases and their symptoms, common testing (and what they mean), treatment options, as well as resources and practical tips to have a well-balanced and well-lived life while living with autoimmune disease.