Why this blog?

Welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog!

This is my medical and recreational blogsite. Some of the entries on this blog are honest and quite vulnerable, as I wrote them at my lowest point. I try to keep a positive outlook on life, because no one wants to hang out with a downer, including me. Writing these entries has allowed me to see the world through a beneficial filter that allows me to appreciate every moment I have been able to experience in my life, even the difficult ones.

My husband Matthew and I LIVE when we can. I mean we suck the juice out of life, and we aren't ashamed of that outlook. It makes the bad times ok somehow because we took advantage when we were able. The pictures on this blog are part of that. I take pretty pictures of my sick body to boost my self esteem when I am having a difficult time seeing myself as a woman instead of a sick person. It is how I cope with my illness, and no one gets to judge how you survive your difficulties. So live on, and feed your souls.

Watch our story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG_mrDJ10LM&feature=youtu.be


~ Tonia

I have decided to relaunch my Facebook Page, The Beauty in Illness. Along with the help of two other rare patient advocates, we are hoping to include artistic stories of struggle and perseverence through creative ways. Please check us out and let us know if you would like to contribute!




Hospital Me THEN (2012)

Hospital Me THEN (2012)
Dance like no one is watching!

Hospital me NOW (2015)

Hospital me NOW (2015)
Dance like EVERYONE'S watching

Post Transplant-1 Year (March 2014)

Post Transplant-1 Year (March 2014)
Mi Amor Studio

Pre Dialysis Pinup Shoot (2012)

Pre Dialysis Pinup Shoot (2012)
Dynamite Dames

Mid Dialysis Boudoir (March 2013)

Mid Dialysis Boudoir (March 2013)
100 pounds, and a week from transplant, chest tube tucked into bra like a lady. ;)

Non-Pinup Me Now (2015)

Non-Pinup Me Now (2015)
This girl has four kidneys

Monday, March 24, 2014

Spring Break 2014!

This week has been AMAZING! 

In seven days I have had a lot of projects come up.  Last Sunday, my pinup group, Pinup Everywhere, dressed up in green for St. Patty's Day. 




Then, on Tuesday I filmed a commercial for my Chemo/Infusion center.  It was a stroke of luck.  I was coming out of my infusion, when I overheard a conversation at the front desk.  There was a woman, named Claire, asking questions about filming.  I said, "Filming what?"  And the two girls at the desk said, "Hey!  You need to film her!  She has been here for years, and she's an actress!"  The rest is history.

I was filmed sitting in a chair with a fake IV attached to my forearm.  Two nurses came to check my IV, and I just smiled and talked to them as if I was enjoying the experience.  Then a doctor came to sit with me.  She wasn't my doctor, but that didn't matter.  It a fun experience.

Then, on Thursday I was asked to do a photoshoot with Mi Amor Studio.  I have done pictures with them in the past.  She wanted to do some promotion shots for some new ideas she has.  So we did a bunch of shots.  The first were really contemporary headshots:
 Yes, this is possibly the best picture taken of me ever.  Ever.

And then we did an "Old Hollywood" theme:
Which was really fun as well.

Also, a shoot I did with Pinups by Liz have been released to post on the internet.  You aren't supposed to post pictures if they are getting published.  My pictures were in the March issue of Delicious Dolls Magazine.  Here is the shoot I did:











Then, last night I did an Easter themed shoot.  I dressed as a bunny.  I don't have those pictures yet, but I will put them up closer to Easter.

Health update:  I am feeling fine, health wise.  My numbers continue to be good, and I am reassessing some of my medications.  We decreased my prednisone from 5mg to 2.5mg.  I am happy about it.  I have gained a little bit more weight and I am not cool with that.  I refuse to get any heavier if I can help it.  I have a few plans in store to assist me, and my aHUS friends (the aHUSsies) are trying to lost some weight as well.  We are determined to take the chance at new life we have been given to be the ideal forms of ourselves in our minds.  We deserve to feel fantastic about ourselves after everything we have been through.

But overall, a great week!  Happy Spring Break, Everyone!
    

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