THE FIRST MONDAY

'The Day A Decade Of Belief Became A New Beginning'
Personal Story by Tri Bourne

​Almost 10 years ago, I started feeling symptoms that eventually led to me being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease—Dermatomyositis. After a few months of struggling and needing to step away from volleyball, I got a muscle biopsy that led to my diagnosis. I then lost about 30 pounds and was told not to play for nearly two years.

Until a few months ago, I had been doing IVIG infusions twice a month and taking methotrexate weekly since my diagnosis—all while traveling the world pursuing my beach volleyball dreams.

Taking these medications became part of my process, but it never became part of the long-term reality I saw for myself.

When I retired from beach volleyball, I decided to stop the infusions. Over the last few months, I’ve been lowering my methotrexate as well, with confidence that I could live normally and without any medications.

Well, I just got off the phone with my doctor, who has cleared me to stop taking the last of my meds. So today is the first Monday in almost a decade that I’m completely off medication.

Really excited that I’ve gotten to this point. I definitely don’t want to take it for granted, so I’m always going to listen to and respect the signs my body gives me moving forward. But wow, what a journey it’s been.

I hope this can be a source of inspiration for other people dealing with their own challenges. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the body follows the mind. Whatever you believe tends to become your reality.

I never believed that I would rely on medications forever or that this disease would get the best of me.

I couldn’t be more grateful for the daily support of my wife, and for the support of all my family, friends, doctors and community. ∎

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​Find & follow Tri on Instagram: @tribourne