Mama

Erik Austin
Jul 25
1 min read

So my mom just wrote this message to my doctor — with my permission — because I’m honestly just at the end of my rope.

“Dr. Kimble, I am writing this note with Erik's consent. I am a retired RN and we live together. As he is an adult, I try to stay out of his business but occasionally ask how he's doing with health concerns, as he is not the best for follow-up especially when nothing improves. He's very frustrated. His bowel situation is mostly unchanged — explosive spraying of liquid stool, occasionally semi-formed and once hard, he shared. It is extremely foul smelling. His last lab was normal but his stools are not. There must be something being missed. This has gone on for too long. His appetite hasn't changed and he does have a poor diet, good food and junk food. He's gained a lot of weight probably mostly due to his high anxiety. He even stopped his Latuda 3-4 weeks ago to see if that made any difference with stools. It did not, only made him realize his anxiety was worse. Maybe he needs an outside referral for another opinion? Something has to be wrong. Thanks. Gloria Galetka for Erik Austin”

Yep, that’s the reality. I’ve felt like shit — physically and mentally — for way too long, and I’m tired of trying to convince people something’s not right. I’m not looking for sympathy, I’m just tired of being dismissed or brushed off because tests look “normal.” I don't feel normal.

Something is wrong.