Part One introduces Wendy at the very beginning of her son’s health crisis — a period marked by confusion, escalating symptoms, and a medical system that struggled to see the full picture. She describes how her son went from being an active, energetic kid to suddenly dealing with persistent stomach pain, fatigue, and weight loss that didn’t make sense. Each new symptom added to her growing concern, but early appointments offered little clarity.
Wendy walks listeners through the frustrating cycle of dismissive visits, inconclusive tests, and temporary explanations that never addressed the root cause. She shares how she had to push for answers when his symptoms intensified: severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and episodes that made everyday life difficult for him. Eventually, after more targeted testing and specialist involvement, her son was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, giving a name to the struggle they had been living with for months.
The episode highlights the emotional impact of hearing the diagnosis — the fear, the relief of finally knowing, and the immediate shift into learning everything she could about the condition. Wendy explains the first steps in treatment, nutritional support, and discussions about long‑term management options like immunosuppressants and biologics. She also shares the challenges of navigating medications, side effects, and the overwhelming amount of information suddenly placed in front of them.
Part One ends with Wendy reflecting on how the diagnosis changed their family’s daily life, the adjustments they had to make, and the determination she felt to advocate for her son as they moved into the next phase of treatment and understanding.
For more information, check out these links:
Illegally Alive:
https://youtu.be/OOn142GAjsU?si=Ya35kqoELXWn7yA0
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