Perhaps You Do Not Know Who I Am

By Rebecca F Kopp-DiPiazza

Helm Publishing
Publication date: February 2008

ISBN: 9780980178081

Digital Book format: PDF (Adobe DRM)

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Through a veil of tears, I said to a physician, "Perhaps you do not know who I am." Thus, the title of this book was born. Within a twenty-four period from the onset of abdominal pain, urgency, and frequency to urinate, I became physically incapacitated. I share my journey from the onset of the symptoms as I search for a medical diagnosis. The search took ten months, and visits with eight doctors to arrive at several diagnoses. The diagnoses are Interstitial Cystitis, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Depression. Each day I lived in fear and apprehension. My illness was invisible, my symptoms were invisible, and I felt invisible. My pain and deterioration were not validated. I was challenged mentally as I began to doubt myself. Deep inside, I knew that there must be great gift in this challenge. I have always believed that within every adversity there is indeed a spiritual gift. Indeed, I found more than one gift. It is my hope that sharing my story will give hope and inspiration to others who are facing a drastic life style change or illness. I believe my story would be helpful to medical and mental professionals as well.