alihallock

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Oh my goodness!!! It’s here in my hands. It’s real! I truly poured my heart and soul into this book. Unlike Beautifully Broken, which was written more as a collection of lessons and reflections from my journey, Beautifully Unraveled reads much more like a story from beginning to end. It takes you through the experience as it unfolded, allowing you to walk beside me through some of the most difficult, terrifying, and transformative moments of my life. It’s raw. It’s real. And I did my best to bring you into that experience with me—not just through the facts, but through the emotions, fears, hopes, and victories along the way. I’m both nervous and excited to have this story out in the world. Sharing something this personal feels incredibly vulnerable, but I’m also deeply proud of how it turned out. More than anything, I hope it helps even one person walking through botulism—or any life-altering health battle—feel seen, validated, understood, and a little less alone.♥️ #botox #botoxformigraines #botulism #newbook

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Trying to stay positive about my latest sputum culture results. I’m actually quite sad and scared, but I’m choosing to remain hopeful. In the meantime, I’m going to keep doing all I can to keep my lungs as clear as possible, and to enjoy every second I have feeling well enough to do things!! It can sometimes take 6-8 weeks to completely culture and see what’s growing so we can figure out which antibiotics we need to use to target the active infection. And it could mean going back to the hospital or getting another PICC line, or doing a year and half worth of three separate antibiotics. I’m not sure what to expect this time around. Last time, it resulted in three separate PICC lines, months spent in the hospital, and eventually the removal of the upper lobe of my right lung. But, I’m choosing positivity and hope, and I’m going to do everything I can to fight this!!

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Five years ago today, on my wedding anniversary, Dr. Waters saved my life. Against incredible odds, he performed a life-saving surgery that gave me the extraordinary gift of more anniversaries with Brian, more years with my beautiful children, and more time with the people I love most. It is a gift I will never forget and never take for granted. Dr. Waters removed the upper lobe of my right lung, taking with it the damaged tissue, fungus, and bacteria that were slowly stealing both my life and my quality of life. He didn’t just save my life… he gave me hope. He gave me the chance to dream about the future again, and the ability to truly live instead of simply surviving. Five years later, I still face ongoing infections, endless antibiotics, chronic pain, relentless fatigue, and the physical and emotional challenges that come with this journey. But through it all, I remain deeply and profoundly grateful. Grateful to still be here. Grateful for every moment I’ve been given. Grateful to keep fighting. And grateful for this beautiful, imperfect, hard-won life I get to live. ♥️