"All my organs are mirrored on the opposite side of my body" Hannah's life with Situs Inversus.

My name is Hannah, and I’m 17 years old.

I was born with a rare heart condition—my body didn’t have the natural pathway to send blood to my lungs. Because of this, I had to undergo four different heart surgeries when I was little. It was originally supposed to be three, but when I was just three and a half years old, I threw up a blood clot, leading to an unexpected fourth surgery.

In addition to my heart condition, I was also born with situs inversus, a condition where all of my organs are mirrored on the opposite side of my body. Then, last year, when I turned 16, I was diagnosed with liver disease—a diagnosis that completely changed my life.

Navigating Life with Chronic Illness

Liver disease has made daily life unpredictable. Some days, I can barely make it to school because of the overwhelming stomach pain. I’ve had to learn how to adjust my routine and take things one step at a time. One of the biggest challenges is managing my symptoms while still trying to live a normal life.

One of the things I struggle with the most is chronic stomach pain. Over time, I’ve found small ways to manage it. I’ve noticed that eating meat makes my symptoms worse—likely because of how difficult it is for my body to digest. Because of that, I try to avoid it as much as possible. I also have to be really careful not to push myself too hard.

Yesterday was a perfect example of this. After my doctor’s appointment, my mom and I went shopping, and after walking around for a while, I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. Even though I want to do all the things a normal teenager does, my body often reminds me of my limits.

Why I’m Sharing My Story

Living with chronic illness can feel isolating, but I know I’m not alone. By sharing my journey, I hope to connect with others who might be going through something similar. If my story can help even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth telling.

Thank you for reading, and to anyone struggling with their health—you’re not alone.