The Collective
I’ve mentioned before the meaning behind the ‘collective’ part of ‘A Rose Collective’. One of my main reasons for starting this website was to gather and share perspectives from those closest to me; because let’s be honest, when you’re diagnosed with an incurable disease, it takes a toll on not only yourself, but everyone close to you as well. So, you’ll be reading perspectives periodically from my husband, mother, family, friends, and others along the way!
So a quick backstory on my husband- Louis (aka Luigi) and I are high school sweethearts. We started dating eleven years ago! Our official dating anniversary is 3.13.10. We went to separate colleges and naturally we’ve had our ups and downs as a couple, but we always pushed through it! Fate is truly wild, y’all. We got engaged in 2017, married on November 11, 2019! We married two weeks after one of the most difficult obstacles we’ve ever had to endure. Louis was diagnosed with metastasized Papillary Thyroid Cancer on day 5 at the hospital. We stayed a total of 8 days there- yep, WE. I slept in the bed with him every night. He underwent a total thyroidectomy- a total removal of the thyroid gland. The surgeon tried his best to take out as much cancerous tissue as possible, but further treatment (radiation) was needed. He had two weeks to recover, and we persevered (as we Torretta’s do!) and became Mr. + Mrs. T! I don’t want to give away too much of his story, but you will be getting posts from him on his experiences, his viewpoint on my diagnosis, how we balance two major diseases under one marriage, etc. I’m excited for him to share his perspective and story with you all!
A quick backstory on the woman who raised me- the woman who helped me become the faith filled hippie that I am- Jeanie (aka Mama H) this woman taught me what it means to persevere. She has been living with Type 2 Diabetes since she was 4 years old. On top of that she battles Lupus, Graves’ Disease, along with other diseases. She is my idol. Her whole life she was told she couldn’t do xyz. Yet, she continued to successfully accomplish said xyz! When I was diagnosed, she was my guide. She led me back to trusting in myself, my body, and my purpose. Fun fact: we look so much alike that people mistake us for sisters! She’s the woman I call whenever I need advice. She was the first phone call we made from the ER with Louis’ admittance when they suspected cancer. She is the women in our lives that we could not imagine life without. She’s our mama bear- protecting, aiding, and handling shit! I can’t wait for Mama H to share her insight with you guys, I think you’ll love what she has to say!
All in all, I look forward to my vision of sharing this platform with those closest to me in order to gain insight on their perspective, their point of view on not only my illnesses, but sharing the advice that they’ve found living through their own setback and hardships. The beautiful thing about life is that we can learn from all those around us; if only we take a moment to slow down and listen. So, my hope is that you’ll join me, while we slow down, unwind, and learn from what others have gone through.
Xx,
Arose