This year leading up to my birthday, I decided to treat myself to something special, just for me. But instead of planning a trip or a special adventure out in the world, I decided to gift myself a journey inward. After my viral illness last year landed me in the hospital — the one that began with people trying convince me that it was “anxiety” or “all in my head due to stress” and ended in multiple diagnoses, and then kept me in doctors offices for three straight months — I knew I wanted to take more proactive control of my health. I’ve also learned how often women are ignored, demeaned, or straight up not treated because

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