This Is ME, This is MY Life

My name is Monique Crenshaw but most people call me Niquers. I am a daughter, sister, god mom and mom to a four-legged mixed dog named Milo. I'm a pretty average girl who is a true sneaker chick, loves to travel, eat and shop, especially if it involves a new bag. More importantly, I have Autoimmune Hepatitis (a chronic disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the liver and causes it to be inflamed) which has now progressed to Cirrhosis. I've been battling this disease for 28 years and I'm currently on the liver transplant list (now a transplant recipient). People have always told me I'm a strong person and a fighter (I think that's the LEO in me) but really I'm just a girl with dreams and aspirations and I'm not going to let this disease beat me without putting up a strong fight.

For years, I have been able to keep my disease a secret from most people other than my family and close friends and I've done this because I'm a private person. I wasn't ready for the questions, the judgments, the stares or people just thinking I was different. Through it all I forgot that I am different, I've always danced to my own tune and I'm perfectly ok with who I am. Hell, they broke the mold when I was created!

So the obvious question is why am I sharing now? Well, life happens and being put on the liver transplant list was something I wasn't quite ready to face. So, I decided to start writing because for me it is therapeutic and it helps me clear my mind. I might not have all the answers, I might not be able to respond to everyone's questions but I can share my story and hope it helps someone going through the same or similar thing.

So come along and read, comment and share your story as I take this journey.