Keys to Overcoming Chronic Illness and Depression - A Cryoglobulinemia Patient Story

"Although the world is full of suffering, it's also full of overcoming it."   - Helen Keller

Dr. Diane Dike didn’t know what to do when she was diagnosed with an incurable, rare, confusing and painful blood disease called, cryoglobulinemia vasculitis. Her symptoms started when she was only 20 years old.  

After three years of sinus infections, constant flus and colds, allergy testing, and surgery Diane thought she was over the worst of it but she couldn't have been more wrong. It took three more years of doctors performing more tests, biopsies and blood work looking for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia MS, and even HIV to explain her confounding medical problems. 

Many Complications
Diane had many complications from numbness, burning, swollen joints, slow healing sores, ulcers, sharp joint pains (that periodically caused her to be unable to walk), bloody extremities, bruising, itching, bloody noses, rashes, fevers, and night sweats. At one point, her legs turned black and they were almost amputated. Finally, they did the specific blood test that proved, Diane had cryoglobulinemia. Fast-forward 27 years, now she is putting it on the map from the valleys to the mountaintops--literally--planting flags of awareness. Helping this generation and the one to come.

Diane is a sought after speaker, singer, author, foster/adoption mom and humanitarian. "What an incredible journey I'm enduring," Diane commented. "There have been some really tough times, but with Gracie, my children, my husband, friends and lots of faith we are going beyond the limitations of disease and transforming lives. We remember all those with chronic illness who climb out of valleys of despair to summit personal mountains each day as we embark on our nonprofit outreach awareness work."

CVO
During her 22 minutes on Mystery Diagnosis, Diane was able to share some of her medical journey and bring attention to the world's first Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis Organization (CVO). CVO's mission is to champion advocacy programs regarding the care, treatment, research, diagnosis and the use of service dogs for those suffering from cryoglobulinemia and associated conditions. 

CVO educates patients, health care professionals and the public to bring about greater awareness and to support patients, families, and those who love them. “That was a powerful moment watching the program with my friends. After the show, with tears running down their cheeks they found inspiration that helped them overcome their challenges. Bringing awareness, support and encouragement to others is like summiting Everest, and I'm thankful.”


"The Woman Whose Legs Turned Black."

In March 2010, Diane became the first person with cryoglobulinemia to successfully get it on the international map with her appearance on Discovery Health's Mystery Diagnosis TV show, "The Woman Whose Legs Turned Black." It now continues to air around the world educating millions on Oprah's OWN, YouTube and many other syndications. 

“It took me some time to process what cryoglobulinemia meant. In the beginning, I didn't handle it well. I really lost my way. But now, I feel it's an honor to be trusted with such an important task, helping people who are suffering and giving a voice to their pain,” Diane said from her home in the mountains of Colorado. “To take the hopes for a cure with me everywhere I go is a way to help others with cryo. I'm not so alone now that we've created several support groups, websites and other efforts to help those suffering with this rare disease.”

Cryoglobulinemia?
“When I first heard the diagnosis – ‘cryoglobulinemia’ -- I was scared and didn't even know what it was or how to pronounce it. The diagnosis sounded so devastatingly fatal. I thought, I can't live this way: no cure, no real treatment and I shouldn't have children? 

I married my high school sweetheart when I was 19. We put each other through school. We had big plans. This was not a part of those plans. After 6 years of suffering I couldn't see a way to go on. Losing mobility and my way of life was terrifying because I was so active.”

“I continued to work, plan to have children and live life as if nothing was different,” she says. “Trying to prove that I had the power to attempt to live the life I wanted. But cryo was a game changer and life would never be the same. I soon lost everything that mattered to me and almost died.”

Conquering Fears
Speaking out is my way of conquering fears and I consider the truth a victory over the evil terrorist - cryoglobulinemia. “I thought that if I was strong enough to rescue Gracie, train her to be the world's first Italian greyhound service dog for someone with cryo, I was strong enough to tell people I had a disease that made me wish I was dead. I couldn’t worry about what people think. I had to be authentic with the good, the bad and the ugly that I'm enduring in hopes of raising awareness and letting other suffers know they are not alone.”

While Diane helps hurting people and animals through her organizations she takes care of foster children and adopts those who want a forever home, travels as an inspirational speaker and is a positive, encouraging and educational radio host. 

To look at her on a good day you might not even know she is so ill except that you might notice the blankets, mittens and extra layers of winter clothing even in warm climates. Her big smile and care for others covers a multitude of painful symptoms that can suck the joy of living out of the best of overcomers. 

“I’m just an ordinary person who has extraordinary goals. I’ve learned there’s power and healing in doing my best. Life is too short not to give it my all. Reminding people to stay strong and courageous no matter what and that they are not alone in their pain is an important message. It helps me get out of bed in the morning and know that God has a purpose and plan even for my broken life. 

I don't hurt so much when I'm helping others because my focus is on them instead of myself, it's been a key to overcoming depression and the loss of the athletic person I once was.”

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