Hey, I’m Alaina:

nurse, researcher, accidental medical mystery, and someone who thought it was a good idea to train for Everest Base Camp with a body held together by old elastic bands, caffeine, and pure spite.

Trekking Through is my little corner of the internet where I share what it’s really like to live with chronic illness while still chasing big goals……..like hiking actual mountains. I’ve got EDS, MCAS, POTS, endo, a surgically “corrected” leg/ankle (debatable), and a medical history that makes most nurses pause and say “…wow.”

This blog isn’t polished or perfect well because neither is life with a body that’s basically a full-time job. I write about the chaos, the hard days, the funny moments, the training wins, and everything in between, while weaving in some educational moments. Oh, and I’m usually accompanied by my two Italian Greyhounds, Hiroshi and Pocky, who take their emotional support duties very seriously (mostly by napping dramatically).

Trekking Through is for anyone living with chronic illness but also for the people who love them, and the healthcare providers who want to better understand what it’s like to live in these bodies while still showing up, dreaming big, and trekking forward. If you’re looking for honesty, connection, and a little humor in the mess welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

Credentials:
PhD, RN……I’m a nurse with over a decade of experience in healthcare leadership, research, and global health. My work focuses on chronic illness, health equity, and making sure patients’ lived experiences are heard both at the bedside and beyond.

Thanks for being here and walking this path with me even when the trail’s uneven and the air is thin.