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

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Dancing in the Chicago Storm!!

Holy cow, here I am in Chicago getting ready to finish casting and start rehearsals next week.

I don't think I mentioned it here yet, but I am remounting Dancing in the Storm in Chicago in October!  It's going up at Redtwist Theater and being produced by Adapt Theatre Productions.  It will have a six week run, and will be eligible for the Chicago Jeff awards.

I am so excited to be in Chicago!  I live minutes away from so many people I know, so every day is like a mini reunion.  I was raised in the suburbs so I never had the opportunity to be an adult in Chicago before.  I love it.

I haven't written in a while, but it's going to pick up again because of the show.  I like the idea of writing a show based on a blog that is about writing a show about a blog.  Mind trip, huh?

So, you want a health update I suppose?  Well nothing much to report.  Everything is going well at the moment.  My memory has come back ever since we switched my Courtney Love Cocktail of pills to help me sleep, and my numbers still look good.  I'm still slowly gaining weight no matter what I eat, and that stinks, but I am hoping this show will help with that, as well as being in Chicago walking everywhere.    BORING HEALTH UPDATE!

So keep checking back, I promise I will post some things for you. Until then, I will be hanging out in the Windy City!
Here's my latest Pinup Pic for you. :)
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