Hi.

I'm twenty years old, and I have thalassemia. I've been able to live a relatively normal life until last summer. I had a surgery to remove my spleen and gallbladder, and it had loads of complications. Since then, I haven't been healthy. I have blood clots, I'm taking painkillers and blood thinners, I have severe abdominal pain, and my hemoglobin levels are around 7. I've also been told that I'm depressed, that I should take meds for that as well.

It's just overwhelming. I've nearly died four times in the past year, and it feels like no one can figure out why I'm not getting better. Is there anyone who knows what I'm going through? Thalassemia is a disease that no one knows about. I'm alone--I'm fighting this alone. I don't want to be fighting this on my own anymore.