Chicago Tribune

My legs were bandaged up to my knees in 7 layers of gauze. What it's like to have a disease no one understands

I was seven months pregnant when a woman in a children's toy store stopped me while I was browsing a few books.

"I know what you have," she said very loudly looking at my legs that were bandaged up to my knees in seven layers of gauze and blue medical boots on my feet. "You just had a bunionectomy."

By this point, I was used to the gaping stares and people randomly telling me how sorry they were or asking what had happened. Even the few children who had inquired about my situation had been more polite than this.

My mind raged with the "I can't imagine

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune5 min read
Chicago Bears’ Lakefront Stadium Proposal: What’s Been Said, What We Know — And What We Need To Know
CHICAGO — A billion here, a billion there — pretty soon you’re talking real money. The late Sen. Everett Dirksen may not have said exactly that, but he repeatedly raised that concern about spending tax dollars. For reference, $1 billion is more than
Chicago Tribune3 min read
Backed By State Incentives, Rivian To Invest $1.5 Billion To Build New R2 EV At Illinois Plant
Rivian’s decision to launch production of its second-generation electric vehicles in Normal, Illinois, rather than Georgia, will bring $1.5 billion in capital investment and hundreds of jobs to its central Illinois factory, the automaker and Gov. J.B
Chicago Tribune2 min readAmerican Government
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Confident DNC Will Go Smoothly Despite Recent Demonstrations: ‘We Are Prepared’
CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday disputed the notion his administration is unprepared for the Democratic National Convention and is suppressing protests, amid a nationwide spotlight on Pro-Palestinian university demonstrations that some fear

Related