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

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A clarification

I went to work yesterday.  I was so excited.  It was the first time in over a year and a half that I felt so excited to be a part of something again.  Being sick is really lonely.

But then it came to my attention from a close friend that I may need to again clarify the purposes of this blog.  There have been some misconceptions about me.  It surprises me to find out that after all we have been through, some people still don't understand why I did all this.  The pictures. 

This blog is not a cry for attention or a need for rebellion.  It hurts me to find out that anyone believes that.  These pictures have absolutely nothing to do with my actual personal sex life.  So whatever ridiculous conclusions people make about what I choose to do when I am not at work don't concern me.  I am happily married to an amazing man, and nobody, NOBODY gets to come into my marriage and make assumptions about us. 

I came back from the dead this year.  That happened.  And it changed me.  It changed both of us. 

There is a girl in Kansas who is suffering from a debilitating illness.  She took sexy pictures of herself showing the feeding tube coming out of her.  Do you think I am making assumptions about her being a slut for trying to see herself as beautiful in this time of being at her lowest low?   Nobody has the right to judge her.  It took courage.  More courage than most people have.  And I love her for it.

And as for any of those unfounded rumors about me:  If you have heard any, try talking to me about it.  If you actually read this blog you know I am honest.  Anyone who wants to hurt me after all of this must have their own issues that keep them up at night. 

Next weekend I will be dressing as a pin-up model for a photoshoot that is a fundraising event helping a 5-year-old suffering from cancer.  Among other things I have been accused of maybe being a poor role model for students. 

I urge you to ask those students.

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