A Thomas Point of View | Life After 50, Health, Humor & a Whole Lot of Prayer
Y’all, can we talk about something?
WHOEVER SAID 50 IS THE NEW 30 CLEARLY FORGOT TO TELL MY BODY!
Last year, I celebrated my 50th birthday. And honestly, I was excited about entering this new chapter of life.
I had reached that wonderful age where I felt more confident, more comfortable in my own skin, and less concerned about what other people thought.
I was ready to embrace my fabulous 50s!
Apparently, my immune system had OTHER plans.
Because the very same month I turned 50, I broke out in HIVES!
And not the kind of hives where you take a Benadryl, get a good night’s sleep, and wake up feeling better.
OH NO!
I’m talking about hives that lasted for more than a MONTH!
A WHOLE MONTH OF ITCHING, SCRATCHING, AND WONDERING WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS HAPPENING TO MY BODY!
And the most frustrating part?
Nobody could tell me why.
Welcome to 50! Here’s Your First Medical Mystery!
Now, if you’ve ever experienced hives, you know they’re miserable.
Imagine waking up every day wondering where the next outbreak will appear, whether the itching will get worse, or when your skin will finally give you a break.
And when you go to the doctor, what’s one of the first things they want to prescribe?
STEROIDS!
Now, let me explain something.
I’m diabetic.
And while steroids can help control inflammation and allergic reactions, they also have a tendency to send my blood sugar through the ROOF!
So now I’m dealing with hives AND trying to keep my diabetes under control.
At some point, I wanted to ask, “Can we fix ONE problem without creating ANOTHER?!”
Eventually, that first outbreak settled down, and I went back to living my life.
I figured it was just one of those strange medical experiences that happen occasionally.
Surely, I wouldn’t have to go through THAT again.
Well…
Apparently, my body wasn’t finished with me.
July 2026: The Hives Make Their Grand Return!
Fast-forward to July of this year.
THE HIVES CAME BACK!
And this time, they apparently decided they were going to move in, unpack their bags, and stay awhile.
I’m talking about SIX WEEKS OF PURE MISERY!
Itching. Welts. Discomfort. Interrupted sleep. Constant frustration.
And once again, I had absolutely no idea what was triggering them.
Was it something I ate?
Something I touched?
A new allergy?
Stress?
My hormones?
MY AGE?!
At this point, I was ready to blame EVERYTHING!
But unlike the first outbreak, this one became much more complicated.
Because apparently, having one medical condition wasn’t enough.
My body decided to create an entire medical situation!
When Treating One Medical Condition Creates Another!
Remember how I mentioned that I’m diabetic and steroids send my blood sugar through the roof?
Well, during this latest outbreak, things got so bad that I had to see an ENDOCRINOLOGIST!
Why?
Because my blood sugar was dangerously high, and my medical team was concerned about the possibility of me going into a DIABETIC COMA!
YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY!
Here I was trying to get relief from these miserable hives, and now we were dealing with a potentially life-threatening complication involving my diabetes.
At this point, I wanted to ask my body, “MA’AM, CAN WE PLEASE HANDLE ONE CRISIS AT A TIME?!”
So, picture this.
I’m taking steroids to help get the hives under control, along with what felt like an entire cocktail of allergy medications.
And because my blood sugar was so high, I was ALSO taking INSULIN to help control it!
Steroids.
Allergy medications.
Insulin.
Doctor appointments.
Blood sugar monitoring.
AND I WAS STILL ITCHING!
BABY, I WAS EXHAUSTED!
It felt like I was playing medical whack-a-mole. We’d try to address one problem, and suddenly another problem needed immediate attention.
And let me tell you, there was absolutely nothing funny about being told that my blood sugar was high enough for my doctors to worry about a diabetic coma.
That was SCARY.
I was physically uncomfortable, mentally drained, and emotionally overwhelmed.
For six weeks, it seemed like my entire life revolved around medications, appointments, managing symptoms, and trying to get through each day.
And the hardest part was not knowing when—or IF—I was going to feel normal again.
I kept thinking, “THIS IS NOT HOW I ENVISIONED SPENDING MY FABULOUS 50s!”
I was supposed to be out here enjoying date nights, traveling with my husband, and embracing my soft-life era.
Instead, I was juggling prescriptions and medical appointments like they were items on my social calendar!
And trust me, that was NOT the calendar I wanted!
But through it all, I kept praying, advocating for myself, and holding on to the hope that we would eventually figure out what was happening.
And then things got even scarier.
Oh, and Did I Mention My Throat Started Closing?!
Because apparently, dangerously high blood sugar and six weeks of hives weren’t enough excitement for one summer.
During this latest outbreak, I experienced a frightening episode where my throat began to close up.
I ended up in urgent care.
Now, let me tell you something.
There’s a BIG difference between being annoyed because your skin won’t stop itching and being frightened because your breathing is affected.
And in that moment, I wasn’t laughing.
I was scared.
I’ve known for years that I’m allergic to wasps, but after this latest medical ordeal and the episode involving my throat, I now have to carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
Yes, an EpiPen!
Listen, at this stage of my life, I thought my purse would be filled with lipstick, sunglasses, my wallet, and maybe a few snacks.
Now we’re adding emergency medication!
WHO SIGNED ME UP FOR THIS VERSION OF ADULTHOOD?!
All jokes aside, that experience reminded me that I couldn’t simply ignore what was happening or hope it would eventually disappear.
I needed answers.
And thankfully, I finally found someone who helped me get them.
Finally, a Doctor Who Helped Me Understand What Was Happening!
After weeks of frustration, I found a wonderful allergist who took my concerns seriously and helped me begin making sense of what was happening.
And after numerous appointments, blood samples, and what felt like enough testing to qualify me for my own medical research study, I finally received a diagnosis.
CHRONIC SPONTANEOUS URTICARIA.
Now, doesn’t that sound fancy?
Let me translate that into everyday language.
Basically, my body has decided it can break out in hives whenever it feels like it, and we may never know exactly why!
EXCUSE ME?!
So, you’re telling me that after all those blood tests, appointments, medications, and weeks of itching, the answer is that my body just randomly decides to break out in hives?
WITHOUT ASKING MY PERMISSION?!
Apparently so!
Chronic spontaneous urticaria, or CSU, is a condition involving recurring hives that happen without an identifiable external trigger.
And while I’m grateful to finally have a name for what I’ve been experiencing, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t frustrating to learn that there might never be a clear explanation for why it started.
I mean, I turned 50, and suddenly my immune system decided to develop a personality of its own!
And apparently, it’s not a very pleasant one.
But here’s the thing.
Even though I didn’t get an answer to WHY my body was doing this, having an actual diagnosis meant we could finally focus on a treatment plan.
And after everything I’d been through, that was a HUGE relief.
The $5,000 Injection That Changed Everything!
Now, here’s where the story finally takes a positive turn.
After receiving my diagnosis, I started a treatment plan that includes an injection every four weeks.
And let me tell you something.
THAT INJECTION COSTS APPROXIMATELY $5,000!
YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY!
FIVE. THOUSAND. DOLLARS.
FOR ONE INJECTION!
EVERY FOUR WEEKS!
When I learned the cost, I almost broke out in another set of hives!
Because WHO has an extra $5,000 sitting around every month for medication?
Thankfully, I have good health insurance, and my copayment is only $25.
TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS!
And let me tell you, I don’t take that blessing lightly.
Working in employee benefits, I understand how important comprehensive health insurance can be. But experiencing the difference between the cost of a treatment and what I’m actually responsible for paying has given me an even greater appreciation for having access to good coverage.
I know that not everyone has that same access, and I am genuinely thankful.
Because this treatment has made a tremendous difference in my quality of life.
My hives are now well controlled, and I finally feel like myself again.
I’m sleeping better, I’m not constantly scratching, and I don’t wake up every morning wondering whether my skin is going to declare war on me.
PRAISE GOD!
Now, do I know whether the hives will come back?
No.
And that’s probably one of the hardest parts of living with this condition.
There’s uncertainty.
But I’m learning to appreciate the good days instead of spending all my time worrying about what might happen next.
And right now?
I FEEL GOOD!
After experiencing dangerously high blood sugar, needing insulin, facing a frightening episode involving my throat, and enduring six weeks of relentless hives, I’m no longer taking a single symptom-free day for granted.
But apparently, my immune system wasn’t the only part of my body that decided to remind me I’m getting older.
Because we still need to discuss these JOINTS!
And While We’re Discussing Aging… Can We Talk About ARTHRITIS?!
For years, I knew that changes in the weather could affect my asthma.
Cold weather? Sometimes a problem.
Hot, humid weather? Also a problem.
Fine. I’ve learned how to manage that.
But NOW?
We’re adding ARTHRITIS to the weather forecast!
Apparently, my joints have decided they want to participate in meteorology.
I don’t even need to check the weather app sometimes.
My body will let me know!
Cold weather approaching?
HELLO, ACHES AND PAINS!
And I’m sitting here thinking, “Didn’t we already have enough going on with the asthma?!”
Why does every season of life seem to come with a new symptom?
When I was younger, I used to look forward to the changing seasons.
Now I’m wondering whether my knees, joints, lungs, and immune system are going to cooperate with the forecast!
GETTING OLD IS NOT FOR THE WEAK!
And I’m starting to understand why older people spend so much time talking about their medical appointments, prescriptions, and what hurts today.
Because apparently, once you reach a certain age, your body starts sending notifications that you NEVER subscribed to!
But Here’s What I’m Learning About Aging
As much as I joke about getting older, these experiences have taught me some important lessons.
First, I’ve learned that you have to advocate for yourself when something doesn’t feel right.
Sometimes, getting answers takes time. It takes asking questions, following up, and finding healthcare providers who listen to your concerns.
Second, I’ve learned that having a diagnosis can bring peace of mind, even when there isn’t a clear explanation for why a condition developed.
For weeks, I was frustrated because I didn’t understand what was happening to my body.
Now, at least I know what I’m dealing with, and I have a treatment plan that’s working.
Third, I’ve learned that managing multiple health conditions can be complicated, and having the right medical team matters.
My experience with steroids, dangerously high blood sugar, and insulin reminded me that treating one condition can sometimes make managing another condition much more difficult.
And finally, I’m learning to appreciate my health in ways I probably didn’t when I was younger.
There’s something about experiencing a medical scare that makes you realize just how much we take for granted.
Being able to sleep through the night without itching?
A BLESSING!
Waking up without hives?
A BLESSING!
Having access to medication that helps me feel better?
A HUGE BLESSING!
And having health insurance that makes a $5,000 treatment affordable?
BABY, THAT’S A BLESSING I THANK GOD FOR!
Fifty and Fabulous… With a Few Medical Conditions!
Here’s the thing.
I still believe that being over 50 is a wonderful stage of life.
I’m more confident, more comfortable with who I am, and more intentional about how I spend my time.
I have a husband to enjoy, children who are finding their own way in the world, a career I continue to grow in, and plenty of adventures I still want to experience.
But I’m also learning that aging requires a different kind of attention to ourselves.
We can’t always push through discomfort, ignore symptoms, or assume that everything will eventually work itself out.
And sometimes, we have to accept that our bodies are changing, even when we aren’t particularly excited about those changes.
Do I love having chronic spontaneous urticaria?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Am I thrilled that my arthritis apparently has its own weather-monitoring system?
NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT!
And would I prefer to carry a cute little designer purse without having to worry about emergency medication?
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!
But I am grateful.
Grateful that I found a wonderful allergist.
Grateful that I finally have a diagnosis.
Grateful that my treatment is working.
Grateful for good health insurance.
Grateful for the doctors who helped me through a frightening medical experience.
And most importantly, grateful that despite everything my body has put me through, I’M STILL HERE!
Still laughing.
Still loving.
Still enjoying life.
Still planning adventures with my husband.
And still determined to make the most of this next chapter.
Because while getting older certainly comes with some unexpected challenges, I refuse to let those challenges steal my joy.
Although, I do have ONE question…
CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL MY BODY THAT 50 IS SUPPOSED TO BE FABULOUS, NOT A SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE FOR NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS?!
But hey…
I may not always be right, but I ALWAYS have a Thomas Point of View!
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!
To my fabulous over-50 crowd:
- What unexpected health issue showed up once you entered your 50s?
- Have you ever experienced a mysterious medical condition that took forever to diagnose?
- And please tell me I’m not the only one whose joints suddenly think they’re the local weather station!
Let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous parts of getting older.
Because if we’re going to age, we might as well laugh our way through it together!
#AThomasPointOfView #LifeAfter50 #FiftyAndFabulous #GettingOlder #ChronicSpontaneousUrticaria #ChronicHives #HealthJourney #Arthritis #FaithAndGratitude #AgingWithHumor
