I had an ectopic pregnancy in 2012 and required an emergency surgery. In 2020 I had a right hip replacement at 30 years old because I was told my right hip was that of a 55-year-old. And then had a hysterectomy due to endometriosis and fibroids in 2022.

Now fast forward, I started having pain in my left hip in Dec 2022 and my orthopedic surgeon was suspicious of an autoimmune disease. That was when after months of blood work and doctor's appointments I was just diagnosed with mixed connected tissue disease and polyarthritis. I also have degenerative Bone and Joint Disease in both of my hands and feet along with osteopenia in my lumbar which is a step below osteoporosis.

I just turned 34 in June and although I am relieved to finally have a diagnosis, it is still so overwhelming. I am sort of happy that now I can understand why I needed all of these surgeries and why all of these things happened, it is because of MCTD, but it doesn't make the diagnosis any easier. I suffer from extreme fatigue, feeling unwell, and severe pain in my hands, feet, my left hip that I now need a hip replacement for because of a full labral tear which was not from any sort of injury along with CAM impingement and osteoarthritis...

The doctor believes it is because of MCTD... all of this is so overwhelming for my family and I but reading this story really resonated with me. And as sad as it is, it's nice to know that I'm not alone, but this diagnosis is terrifying. I have a family to take care of, and I am so afraid that one day I'm not going to be able to do the things I can do now for them... This has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least...