Elena: “Hysterical” Girl

“We only run that test if there’s a family history.” That’s the excuse I got for why my Immunodeficiency went undiagnosed for 28 years. I’m adopted. I have no family medical history – period. Constant illnesses ranging from sinus infections to serious infections  landed me in the hospital. I was told that it was “just bad luck” or that I “need to handle stress better.” At the age of 28, I left a prestigious University system and went to a private practice. After explaining my medical history, the doctor’s first words were “I believe you, there’s something else going on here.” He eventually diagnosed my immunodeficiency. He took me seriously, gave me proper treatment, and greatly improved my quality of life. If only someone at that prestigious University system would have looked at me as a person, rather than just a young “hysterical” girl…