I’m thankful for my good friend Matt and his fiancé Brent for hanging with me on my recent trips to Dallas. I’m often there for doc visits, but lately it’s been nice to let loose and share some memories together. 🐻
This is now the second time I’ve been able to join the Laundry Project via @engagecurrent to help do good right here in our local community. There’s some real gems in this photo, folks. One of them that I want to take a minute to shoutout is my dear friend, Kerry. Kerry and her hubs Brad are project leaders for Laundry Project and have been doing great work here ever since @brad_stuver launched these initiatives in Austin. If you want to surround yourself with genuine people who only want to help, you need look no further than Kerry. Hope you’ll contribute to this cause by learning more, engaging, and donating supplies so our next project can help even more people. Thank you to our group’s incredible hosts at LaundroLab on Research for the amazing hospitality and support! 🧺🫶🏼
Hi everyone! I’ve been busy trying to get my health and personal wellness in order. Today I wanted to share some positive progress that I’ve made over the past year.
Last time I shared health news, I mentioned that I was diagnosed with Non-Alcholic SteatoHepatitis or NASH, a more finite form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). I had an MRI completed and was told I was Stage F2-F3.
Earlier this month, my new Hepatologist at BSW Liver Consultants of Texas in Fort Worth met with me and we did a repeat scan. From one year ago, I have healed my liver and am now in Stage F1. This is thanks to diligent work on battling genetic predisposition to Metabolic Syndrome, cutting out sugars as much as possible, and utilizing a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide. There is still lots of work to do to heal my body and continue weight loss and overall health improvements, but this downgrade in liver diagnoses is remarkable and a good move in the right direction.
A few days ago I mentioned that I was also starting a biologic drug. This should help me with some skin lesions that flare up during normal day to day activity and hinder my ability to regularly get exercise in. By taking on these chronic conditions, I’m hoping I can heal my body from the inside and continue the work on the outside.
Progress is not linear, though. If you’ve seen me in person, you’ve likely seen that I’m in a boot. I have some partial tears to my Achilles and bone spurs that are giving me lots of trouble. They’re inconvenient, but we’ll figure out a path forward on treatment for that, and keep moving forward. There’s much to do!
I guess the reason I share these things is to shed light on what I’d say is the plight of many people who battle chronic illnesses (including weight issues) go through. If it was as simple as ‘move more and eat less,’ I think you’d see more success for more people. Unfortunately it’s not that simple for those whose bodies fight them everyday in ways we don’t always see.
So here is to more progress, for you and for me. I am always here to help in any way that I can. Just reach out. And even if you don’t need anything, know that I’m cheering you on from afar. Much love
Hi everyone! I know it’s been a while, but I wanted to give a health update. Last night I started my first dose of cosentyx (secukinumab), a biologic med, to help me with inverse psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). After trying topicals, a 3-month trial of antibiotics, and retinoids, my dermatologist thought we should try something different. Here’s hoping it helps allow me to be more active with less pain. With you all in the struggle. 🫶🏽 🐻 #cosentyx#secukinumab#hs#inversepsoriasis#hidradenitissuppurativa#biologic#chronicillness
It was an absolute pleasure meeting many of you that I’ve seen online, and connecting with those I’ve met last year. This TBRU was a very positive experience for me! I’m sorry I didn’t get to reply or respond to each person, but I did make a solid attempt at smiling and acknowledging each person I ran into. You all looked great. ☺️ Looking forward to attending in the years to come, and feel free to connect with me before then. Dallas Bears, please reach out if I can help yall in any way. 🐻 Enjoy a bit of r&r before its time to plan the next one! Safe travels to all you studs. ♥️
This is 32. Still determined to make a difference, to leave a legacy, and to live in gratitude. Thanks for being along for the ride. ♥️☺️ #birthdaymemories
No filters, just good vibes! Honestly never thought I’d attend #tbru , and now I will be sure to try to make it next year. The queer community, esp ppl of different shades, shapes, and sizes need this event. Having an environment to feel confident in your own skin is so valuable. There’s more work to do. Until next time! 🐻🐻
Had an awesome time at @sxsw meeting John Berry, fmr 🇺🇸 Amb to 🇦🇺, along with the team at @sydneyworldpride who brought a taste of Down Under to Austin in preparation for World Pride 2023! 🌈 🦘
Along with these great vibes, a few pics and vids from seeing Kygo and the Texified-version of Shawn Mendes. 🤠
Can’t wait to learn and enjoy more this year and next!
More of @sxsw . Fort Worth does a great job; I swear DFW always tries to get me to move up there & each year I’m more and more tempted. Also, enjoy some gratuitous cute NFTs IRL from Doodles and Coffee Doods. Good times. 🙂
Truly had an awesome time attending @sxsw this year. If you haven’t seen pics of me on here recently, it’s mostly because I’ve been out of sight for the past two years. Getting back into social events and meeting and interacting with new people face to face again has been awesome. 🙌🏽
It’s time to step up. Check out the link in my bio for info on what Texas Transgender Youth are facing, and pledge to support organizations like @equalitytexas and @transtexas through another assault on #lgbtq rights and equality. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
