Let’s welcome this weeks warrior, Cj!
My name is Carlos Cabrera but I go by Cj Papuro. I’m from the Dominican and live in Virginia.
I have Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. I was Diagnosed with UC in 2018, I was misdiagnosed with hemorrhoids 2017 and it wasn’t until I received a colonoscopy that I got an official diagnosis a year later. Then in 2021 I was diagnosed with RA from a hand injury. Prior to that I was dealing with pain for about a year. They waited 6 months and it was in the check up that they found out that the raisin bone wasn’t going down and that it was RA not CRPS. with OA in my lower back because the X rays showed it so it was a simple process.
My life has changed completely. If I didn’t have Ulcerative Colitis, I would be finishing up my degree in criminal justice. Doing police work and maybe Reservist for the military (for the possibility to deploy) trying to get into swat. Now my life revolves around maintaining my physical and mental health, bodybuilding and advocating for IBD and Chronic illnesses. The challenges I face with my illness depend on the state of my chronic illnesses. If I’m in remission aside from pain and inflammation in joints/ bone then most of the symptoms I face are mental (anxiety and depression), I still follow a restrictive diet and try to stay stress free to maintain remission.
My journey has taken me through many roller coasters. A lot of L’s as people would say. I went from a pessimistic mindset to an optimistic mindset. I understand that everything happens for a reason so I try to turn my losses into lessons so that I can grow from them. This journey has taught me to be resilient, patient, and disciplined all while still working towards everything I want.
Some words of wisdom for people suffering from the same illnesses and conditions: Flare life is not normal, don’t try to normalize it, when you are having symptoms that is your body trying to tell you that something is wrong. It is up to you to learn your body and your disease if you wish to thrive with chronic illnesses. Health Care is a business don’t support it by not taking care of yourself.
For fun I like to exercise, play video games, listen to music, and watch movies.
Lastly I’d like to say that talking about it helps #mentalhealth
Thank you so much for sharing your chronic illness journey with us Cj! Be sure to give him a follow in IG @papuro