May 6, 2026 - Speaking Up For Yourself

There’s something really personal about your health… and when it’s not the top of its game, it’s tough! Only you know how you feel. Only you know the depth of your pain, the changes in your body, and that quiet, but persistent voice in your head that says, “something isn’t right”. (And yes, I’ve talked to myself a lot over the past nine months.)

For a long time, I believed that because someone had the title of “doctor,” I should trust the process without question. After all, they are the medical professionals… I am not. That mindset kept me in situations longer than I should have stayed… continuing care plans that didn’t feel right, sitting through appointments where I didn’t feel heard, and hoping that improvement would eventually come. I kept hearing, “You need to be patient.”  So I did, but that improvement didn’t come quite like I was told and wished for. Looking back, I think Alivia probably wanted to scream for me a few times after some of those appointments. And truthfully, I don’t know what I needed to hear then. It’s hard to question “authority” and in my case medical professionals, especially when it comes to your own health. It’s even harder when you’re already exhausted, in pain, and vulnerable. I just wanted to feel better!

I’ve been walking this road for about nine months now. And even in that short time, I’ve gained a whole new level of empathy for those living with chronic pain or long-term illness. I truly cannot imagine the daily challenges they may face… not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. I have sat in waiting rooms with people that are by far worse than myself. They are dealing with serious life challenges, major illness, things that they will be fighting much longer than what I’m dealing with. However, regardless of your situation, I truly feel the part no one really prepares you for is advocating for yourself. It isn’t easy and has been one of the most challenging things I’ve encountered.

Getting a second opinion felt absolutely overwhelming. I knew I needed it, but finding a provider within my insurance network… Wow… Even harder. Finding one willing to take on my case… nearly impossible. I was ready to give up! Two doctors said my injuries were too complex and they could not treat me, referred me elsewhere for further care, but my insurance denied it. They deemed the referrals were not medically necessary. What??? That’s when the real fight began. Phone calls that lasted hours. Days filled with pain, frustration, lots of tears and exhaustion. Repeating the same story over and over again, hoping someone would finally listen.

I ended up filing my first insurance appeal.Then another. And another.

Three appeals in total… two for the same issue. Every single one has now been overturned in my favor once the full documentation and medical records were reviewed. Let that sink in… decisions were initially made that contradicted what my doctors were recommending, only to be reversed when someone actually took a deeper look. Who was making that decision… a clinical physician that worked for the insurance company…. not the doctors that I sat before and were the ones seeing and treating me, but someone in some other state making the decisions.

No one should have to fight that hard for their health… and yet, so many people encounter this daily!

There were moments that felt absolutely insane and very defeating along the way… and some of the days I did give up. Simply thought, I’ll call back tomorrow and hope to talk to someone different, especially when dealing with individuals who lacked compassion, patience, or even basic respect. When you’re already not feeling like yourself, already stretched thin, those interactions and conversations can push you over the edge… I think I was there about ten times just during the month of February.

Thank goodness though, along the way, there were also good people, some really good people… ones who truly helped. People who went above and beyond and wanted to make a difference in my day. Our local physician, support staff and therapy department here in town… absolute blessings. The ones who reminded me that good people still exist within the healthcare system.

I have definitely learned it’s not always the hospitals or clinics themselves, it’s often the layers behind the scenes. The decisions made by people who will never meet you, never feel your pain, and never fully understand the impact of their decisions.

It’s frustrating. It’s disheartening. And honestly, it’s been really eye opening for me personally.

Not going to sugarcoat it… I’ve used my health insurance more in the last year than I ever have before. I pay high premiums. I pay substantial copays. And when I finally saw that my deductible had been met after my most recent surgery… it felt like a win.

A strange kind of win, maybe… but a win!

Fighting yes, advocating yes… but progress… and that’s really all that matters at this point.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s this… Do not be afraid to speak up. If something doesn’t feel right, say something. If you don’t feel heard, find someone who will listen. If you’re not improving, ask why. And if you’re uncomfortable with your care plan, get a second opinion.

I waited longer than I should have. And I can’t help but wonder if things might look different today had I trusted my instincts sooner. But hindsight has a way of teaching us what we need to know moving forward.

This journey has changed me. It’s forced me to become more informed, more involved, and more confident in asking questions and seeking answers. At the end of the day, no one will advocate for you quite like you can… and though it can be really difficult to do, we all deserve to be heard. Trusting yourself may just be the most powerful step you can take.