A mother of three, Amanda, who was just past her thirties, simply wanted to look a little fresher. And one day, completely unsuspecting, she drove to a cosmetologist... A simple beauty injection — just a few minutes in the chair to feel confident again. She came home happy, patted her children on their heads, and went to bed, believing that tomorrow she would look even better! But in the morning, her reality turned upside down. Her legs wouldn’t obey her. She tried to stand up — and fell, completely paralyzed... Since that moment, her life has been divided into “before” and “after”...

A Week Before The Tragedy

A week before the terrible thing happened, Amanda had no idea that her life would soon be in danger... It was a Friday evening — Amanda especially loved that day of the week... Three kids, work, endless running around — but in the evening, when dishes clinked and the babysitter was about to arrive, her little piece of woman’s happiness began. And all because Friday date nights with Josh were their sacred tradition. 

They called it “an evening just for us”: no school talk, no phones, no work... Just the two of them — like they were twenty again, sitting at their favorite Italian restaurant, where the waiter already knew their order by heart. Amanda was applying mascara and softly humming along to the song on the radio. Everything was going according to plan, and she didn’t even suspect that this very day would push her toward something terrible... 

Everything Was Fine Except For One Detail... 

She was about to leave the bathroom when her gaze accidentally caught the mirror. A wrinkle... Right on her forehead, between her brows. Thin but clear. The kind she hadn’t even noticed before... Amanda squinted, stepped closer to the mirror, and sighed quietly:
— Seriously?.. Can’t I have just one night without this?

She looked at her reflection for a long time — tired eyes, soft shadows near her temples, a touch of carelessness left after a long day with the kids. Something stung in her chest. Not pain — just… sadness. But Amanda wasn’t one to mope. And right then a thought flashed in her head: “Everything can be fixed.”

A Friend’s Advice And An Instant Decision

Amanda grabbed her phone and typed a message to her friend — the one who always looked perfect.
— Hey, you’ve got that amazing cosmetologist, right? Send me her contact, I want to freshen up a little.
The reply came almost immediately, full of enthusiasm:
— Of course! She’s a magician. Just Botox on the forehead — five minutes, and you’ll look five years younger! Book it, you won’t regret it!

Amanda didn’t even think twice. She quickly copied the number, and in no time, she was already scheduling an appointment for the following week. She smiled... The feeling of control came back, life once again obeyed her plan, and her mood shot back to a hundred percent! If only she had known where all this would lead...

A Conversation Through The Door

— Hey, you still alive in there? — came a familiar voice from behind the door. It was her husband, Josh, teasing as usual.
— One minute! — she answered, quickly fixing her hair.
— Are we even going? Or did you decide to move our date night into the bathroom?

Amanda snorted, opened the door, and playfully raised her brows:
— I just wanted to look like your dream.
He laughed, wrapped his arms around her waist, and whispered in her ear:
— You already are my dream… just a really slow one. But at least I had time to miss you!
They left the house to the sound of children’s laughter — the babysitter had just arrived. They had no idea that in a week everything would change...

The Road In The Rain

Rain drummed on the car roof — it all felt so romantic... Amanda sat beside him, looking out the window, then reached for her husband’s hand.
— Remember when we first started dating? — he said suddenly, smiling with the corner of his lips. — I drove you to this same restaurant. Only back then, I didn’t have heated seats or money for dessert.

Amanda laughed:
— And I pretended I was full, even though I was dreaming of tiramisu.
— I knew it, — he winked. — You always pretend you don’t need anything.
How happy they were — both on their first date and now... and why was life preparing such a cruel test for them...

The Restaurant That Smelled Like The Past

At the restaurant, they were greeted by the same waiter — gray at the temples, with that same kind smile.
— Mr. and Mrs. Taylor! It’s been almost two years, hasn’t it? Your table by the window is ready.

Amanda and Josh laughed — they hadn’t expected to be remembered. The restaurant smelled of basil, garlic, and fresh bread. In the background, the old song “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was playing. They admired each other, enjoying the delicious Italian food, when suddenly Josh’s words shocked Amanda... That, she definitely didn’t expect to hear...

The Unexpected Proposal

— So... — Josh twirled his wine glass. — What do you think, maybe it’s time for... number four?
Amanda almost choked.
— A baby? Seriously?
He shrugged.
— Why not? You’re such an amazing mom. And I just… I feel like our house is always a little too loud — but it’s a noise I can’t get enough of.
She smiled but her eyes involuntarily shifted toward the mirror opposite them. 

Her reflection gave her away — a hint of tiredness, tiny lines near her eyes, that small, treacherous crease on her forehead. Another baby... And she barely managed to recover after three. Some mornings her hands trembled from exhaustion.
— Let’s not rush, okay? — she said softly. — I need to feel like myself again first.
Josh leaned closer and kissed her hand.
— Okay... I won’t rush you...

A Night Full Of Happiness 

They laughed, ate pasta, remembered their first fight — about who should take out the trash. Everything felt so simple and real... Amanda, tilting her head slightly, suddenly thought that happiness was exactly this. Evenings like this. When everything feels stable, understandable, safe…

Maybe someone would call it boring but that’s exactly where she found her happiness — family, kids, home, work, ordinary life. She didn’t know that in a week, the word “happiness” would become something distant and almost forgotten...

A Wonderful Start To The Workweek

All the following week Amanda was literally glowing with happiness. She finally felt like a human being again: the nanny was helping, the kids were content, the house was in order, work was going smoothly — everything seemed to fall into place and allowed her to breathe freely. She even started going to the office again, not only working from home, and it gave her the feeling that life was returning to normal. 

She even caught herself thinking something surprising: “Maybe actually… a fourth one really could be born? When you have help, everything is easier.” Her mood was almost festive...and in the next few days the universe seemed to start sending her signs that in order not to ruin her life the only thing she had to do right now — was to cancel her visit to the cosmetologist...

Returning To The Office

On Wednesday Amanda decided to go to the office for the whole day. She put on her favorite blazer, did her makeup, and felt like her old self again — confident, put-together, fast. Her colleagues noticed her right away, someone shouted from across the desks:
— Amanda, finally! The office without you is like a morning without coffee.
She laughed but a couple of times she caught a strange feeling: slight dizziness...

She blamed everything on tiredness and lack of water but in reality she was just genuinely overexcited...a year of maternity leave was making itself known! But those were all minor things...and what was there for her to worry about — after all, she worked as a sales director, her career was going up...for now...

A Conversation Over Lunch

At lunch she was sitting with her colleague Maggie, straightforward and honest to the point of rudeness. They were chatting casually when Amanda said:
— On Saturday I am going to my cosmetologist. To fix my forehead a little.

Maggie immediately raised her eyebrows:
— And do you really need that? There are so many dubious places now.
Amanda waved it off:
— Oh come on. Five minutes and that is it. You do it yourself.
Maggie let out a heavy sigh:
— Alright, then listen to this story. And it is very serious.

A Story She Needed To Hear

Maggie leaned closer and said:
— Do you remember Kelly?
— The fitness blogger? Of course.
— She also went “to freshen up just a little.” Two days later she wakes up — and her eye will not open. It simply will not...
Amanda frowned:
— Well sometimes it happens temporarily, it is nothing.

— If it had been temporary — she would not have been lying flat for a month, — Maggie replied. — She later got dizziness, weakness, her hands were going numb. And then it turned out that she had been injected with a fake product. A fake one, Amanda, and it was in a fancy clinic!

And Why Was She Ignoring Her Intuition?

Amanda felt an unpleasant tightness inside but still said:
— Well that is an exception. That will not happen to me. I am going by recommendation.
Maggie shook her head:
— I am just asking you to be careful. It is too easy to trust when you want fast results...

But something inside still shifted… a light premonition — Amanda really had always had good intuition all her life...but this time she was stubbornly ignoring it for some reason. And only a few days separated Amanda from real horror.

Unexpected Message

The next day, just as Amanda managed to pour herself some coffee and open her laptop, a notification flashed in the corporate messenger: “Amanda, please come to my office.” From the CEO... Her hand almost trembled. Such messages never promise anything good… especially in the morning. 

She was walking down the hallway as if heading to an exam. Her heart was pounding in her temples, her fingers turning cold. The CEO was sitting with a stone face, did not even offer her a seat — she carefully took the chair herself, trying to keep her back straight... Just what she needed...

A Conversation That Instantly Crushed Her Mood

— Amanda, we need to talk, — he began dryly. — There is not enough discipline in the team. People have relaxed. And… I believe that a manager must be in the office every day. Starting next week.
Amanda blinked.
— Every? Day?
— Yes. It is important for the processes. Your absence is noticeable, your maternity leave has dragged on a bit...well, you understand...

He was speaking in a calm voice but the words were cutting through the air like an icy blade. Amanda nodded automatically, though inside everything was already mixing together: the kids, the job, the nanny only for certain hours, the youngest crying in the mornings, the older child asking for her to take her to school… It was impossible. Simply impossible...but she loved her job deeply and did not want to lose it...

Was This A Setup From… A Colleague?!

She walked to her desk with a foggy head. One thought was pulling the next: How am I supposed to manage the kids in the mornings? I’ll need to extend the nanny’s hours… 

And money? I only just started feeling like myself again… Why now? Why so suddenly?.. And then — an unpleasant, burning ripple of suspicion. Maggie...

Did The Puzzle Really Come Together?

She remembered how Maggie had carefully hinted that Amanda was missing. How strangely she listened to her story about the cosmetologist. How sometimes her smile was a little too poisonous… And most importantly — the constant comments that she “overthinks everything related to the kids”. And what if… It was Maggie who told the boss that the team had gotten too relaxed? 

Every team has its own “rats”. And Maggie was too ambitious, too “invisible”, to be that harmless. And how could the CEO know that Amanda often worked remotely? Who else saw her schedule that closely? The anger was eating her from the inside…

The Evening Kitchen Conversation

In the evening after work, Amanda sat at the table, turning her mug with both hands. Her husband walked in, took off his jacket, looked at her, and instantly understood: the day had been hard.
— What happened?
— The CEO called me in today, — Amanda let her shoulders drop tiredly. — He said I must be in the office every day. Every. Day.
Her husband frowned.

— Why on earth? You already work your tail off.
— That is what I am asking too… — she laughed nervously. — Where am I supposed to put the kids? In my bag? You are at work from early morning. I am the one who has to carry all of this alone.
She shook her head, her voice becoming quieter:
— I cannot handle this rhythm. I just started feeling normal again, and now it will be a race… endless…

Priceless Support

Her husband sat down next to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
— Let us solve this step by step. Maybe we can make an arrangement with a nanny.
— Yes, sure… — Amanda tapped her fingers on the table. — And you know what else? I think this is all Maggie.

Her husband raised an eyebrow:
— That Maggie? The one you mentioned the other day?
— She knows way too much, — Amanda pressed her lips together. — She was the only one who knew I wanted to leave early on Friday, that I often work remotely. She was the one saying that “people can get too relaxed when the management is not around”. Do you know how that sounded? As if she was rehearsing something.

Even More Suspicions!

And Amanda did not stop there.
— And she even tried to talk me out of the cosmetologist procedure. “Be careful.” “There is a lot of fraud nowadays.” With that tone… as if she did not want me to look good. As if… it was beneficial for her that I looked worse…

Her husband frowned:
— You think she could have set you up?
— I think… — Amanda exhaled. — Yes.
And inside her, that same intuition trembled again — the one she had tried to silence yesterday. But life had already begun giving her new puzzles…

The Determination She Did Not Expect From Herself

The next day Amanda walked into the office slightly earlier than usual — with a cup of coffee, a straight back, and that firmness in her step she had not felt for a long time. The first thing she did was open her laptop and send a short message to the CEO: “I would like to schedule a meeting for Friday. I need to discuss an important matter.” 

She sent it and instantly felt confidence rise inside her. Her position? She would not give it to anyone. And least of all — to Maggie! And as if fate had decided to test her resolve, Maggie approached at that very moment — with a sticky, overly soft smile…

The “Favorite” Colleague

— Amanda! Let us go to lunch together? I want to discuss something…
Amanda did not even fully turn her head.
— A lot of work. Another time.

Maggie’s smile wavered for a second — as if someone splashed cold water on her. She clearly did not expect that. She was used to Amanda smoothing things over, smiling, agreeing. And now — an icy wall. And yes, it was unpleasant…

The Friday That Confused Everyone

When Amanda appeared in the office on Friday morning, people actually raised their brows. She always worked from home on Fridays. Even before maternity leave! Someone whispered:
— What is she doing here?
— Fridays are sacred for her…
— Maybe it is some kind of inspection?

And Maggie… Maggie almost choked on her smoothie. She was sitting, supposedly typing something but her fingers slowed down noticeably — as if her mind was already drawing unpleasant scenarios…

Whispers Behind Her Back

Rumors spread around the office quickly.
— She asked for a meeting with the CEO herself!
— Maybe she is quitting?
— Or she is going to complain?
— What if she wants to get someone fired?

Amanda heard the whispering. But for the first time in a long while… she did not care. She sat at her desk, calmly sorting through papers, and kept catching herself thinking: how good it is that I came today. How good it is that I am no longer afraid! She just did not know one thing — that in a few days none of this would matter anymore. Not the position, not the office, not Maggie…

She Finally Found the Courage to Walk Into the CEO’s Office

Amanda walked into the CEO’s office slowly but confidently. She had prepared herself for a difficult conversation but the director greeted her with a surprisingly calm and even slightly warm look.
— Amanda, come in, — he said. — What is worrying you?
She exhaled and honestly voiced what she had been carrying inside for so long.
— I wanted to discuss your request. If it is necessary to work in the office every day, I am ready. I really value my job and I do not want to let the team down.

He looked at her carefully, as if trying to understand where such panic could have even come from.
— Wait… Who said that I require your daily presence?
— Well… you did, — she smiled weakly. — The day before yesterday.
The CEO tiredly rubbed the bridge of his nose and shook his head.

Everything Was Starting to Come Together?

— The day before yesterday I had a difficult day. Complaints came in saying discipline in the department had dropped. Apparently, I reacted too sharply. But this definitely does not apply to you. You can keep Friday remote just like before. And, if it is more convenient for you, you can also take Monday as a work-from-home day.

Amanda blinked, trying to process what she had just heard.
— So… I did not violate anything?
— Of course not. You are one of the most responsible employees, — he smiled slightly.

This Time the Puzzle Finally Came Together!

— If next time you hear strange conversations or feel pressure — come to me immediately. You should not rely on rumors, — the CEO said.
And in that moment Amanda finally completed the puzzle.
Complaints… rumors… someone’s “concern”…

Yes, stories like these always have a source. And she knew that name far too well...
With these thoughts, Amanda left the office, feeling the tension she had been carrying finally begin to ease.

Friday Turned Into a Small Celebration

By the end of the day she did not feel tired — she felt confident. She drove home, looked out the window at the lights of the evening city, and caught herself thinking that maybe she had not allowed herself to feel this — simple calmness — in a long time.

At home she changed into comfortable clothes, made dinner for the children, talked with her husband about small things, and everything happened without heaviness, without internal tension, without those endless scenarios in her head that used to keep her awake. And she set the alarm for earlier… because tomorrow she had an important thing ahead of her that would turn — or rather destroy — her whole life…

She Was Sure Saturday Would Start Perfectly

Her appointment with the cosmetologist was in the morning — the earliest free slot she could find. She wanted to start the weekend with a pleasant ritual she had been postponing: a little time for herself, without thinking about work, schedules, or anyone’s expectations.
She prepared her clothes, did light makeup, checked her bag, and could not stop smiling. Her husband asked in surprise why she was getting ready so carefully.

— Because I will finally become even more beautiful and give time to my beloved self!
But she could not have imagined that the visit to the cosmetologist, which was supposed to be a simple pleasant procedure, would chain her to the bed… and only one hour remained until it…

The Clinic, Where Everything Looked Perfect

The clinic greeted her with bright light, soft music, and what seemed like ideal sterility. Amanda was sure she had come to the right place — after all, it was not just a beauty salon but a clinic! And the specialist had been recommended to her… meaning everything should have gone well.
The cosmetologist — a young, well-groomed woman — practically fluttered toward her and began the introduction with a compliment.

— Amanda! I am Jennifer, very glad to meet you! You are absolutely glowing today!
— Glowing? — she smirked. — I thought it was the opposite… that I look tired.
— Well, that is why we work, right? — the cosmetologist winked. — Let’s go.
Amanda did not yet suspect that she should have simply run from this clinic...

Amanda Trusted the Doctor 100%...

When Amanda lay down on the couch, the cosmetologist began explaining the procedure plan — very thoroughly, and it immediately felt like a professional was standing in front of her.
— Today we will do a slightly enhanced protocol. So the effect lasts longer, and the result will be… well, you know… not just good — perfect. A little more on the forehead, a bit more active on the crow’s feet, and the frown lines — that zone relaxes the fastest.

— Yes, that is true… — Amanda thought. — Just without fanaticism. It is important to me to stay alive-looking, not porcelain.
The cosmetologist laughed brightly but almost mechanically...

Strange Hurry

— Of course, of course. Everything will be natural. It is just that you are young but an active face — that is always a challenge.
When the injections began, Amanda tried to relax but she noticed that the cosmetologist was working faster than usual. 

Not harshly, just… more energetically. As if she was rushing to finish…

— How much… in total are you injecting? — she asked when the needle touched her skin again.

An Unexpected Dose...

— One hundred four units, — she was told as if it were absolutely normal. — For your face — perfect.
It sounded too confident somehow… too rehearsed…

But Amanda closed her eyes and tried not to overthink it. Although in reality these were not small things at all… and no specialist had ever given her such a large dose before...

Right After the Procedure

When the cosmetologist put her instruments aside, Amanda already felt something was off… She sat up, leaning on the armrest, still recovering from the whole series of injections.
— Everything went perfectly, — the specialist said, handing her a mirror. — It will swell a little now but by evening the ideal effect will come.
Amanda looked at her reflection — it seemed normal but the face already felt somewhat “not her own”…

— Are you sure the dosage… — she began.
— Absolutely.
The cosmetologist interrupted too quickly, not letting her finish.
— Do not worry, I use these protocols all the time. Go home, rest, and everything will be wonderful.

Doubts Covered Amanda...

— It is just that you worked so… quickly, — Amanda said softly, trying not to sound accusatory.
— Quickly? — the specialist did not even lift her eyes from the computer. — Do not worry, I have over 15 years of experience, my hand is trained. And you know, it is peak season — we cannot afford to be slow!

The doctor tried to joke but the phrase sounded careless, and a cold shiver ran down Amanda’s back. She took her bag, slowly stood up, and at the door the cosmetologist added almost casually:
— If you get a headache, it is normal. A lot of units sometimes gives a load.
— How… many? Can you remind me? — Amanda asked quietly.
— Everything is perfect for you. You do not even need to worry.
But there was no turning back… and Amanda did not yet know that.

The Evening Was Ruined...

Home was as cozy as always. The children were playing, her husband was cooking dinner, and Amanda felt just a little tired — like after a long workday. She decided that was normal...

But a couple of hours later her head began to ache with a dull, pressing pain that slowly but steadily intensified, turning from discomfort into something much more alarming.
— Are you okay? — her husband looked into the room when he saw her holding her temples.

Wild Pain

— I think it is just a reaction, — she answered, although she felt that “just” no longer fit.
— Should I give you a pill?
— No… I want to just lie down. I need to switch off for a couple of hours.

When she lay down, the world began to blur, as if she had drunk alcohol, although she had not touched it for years… But she convinced herself: this is just the after-effect of the injections, especially since the doctor warned her. “Everything will be fine,” Amanda reassured herself and fell asleep.

Morning, When Her Own Body Betrayed Her

When Amanda tried to get out of bed in the morning, her legs gave way, as if they were not legs but cotton sticks. She grabbed onto the nightstand but still could not hold herself up.
— Amanda?! — her husband caught her before she fell. — What is happening?!
— I… cannot… — she tried to say but the words came out in short, uneven pieces. — My head is splitting… my legs feel like they are not mine… everything… is spinning…

She closed her eyes, hoping it would pass, hoping it was just stress or bad sleep but the dizziness did not let go. Weakness spread inside, as if someone had turned her energy down to zero.
— Lie down. Immediately. — Her husband carefully sat her back on the bed. — If it does not get better in half an hour, we are going to the hospital.
But it was not getting better. Only worse…

The Day She Spent in Horror

They… did not go to the hospital. And that was the first mistake.
All Sunday Amanda spent in bed. She tried to at least reach the kitchen — her legs shook, her fingers slipped off the table, her head filled with heavy cotton.

Loud sounds echoed painfully inside her skull… Sharp smells from the kitchen made her close her eyes and fight nausea… She had never felt this bad, and she still hoped she had just eaten something wrong yesterday… but how wrong she was…

Her Husband’s Attempts to Support Her

— Amanda, we are going to the hospital. Right now, — her husband said in the evening when he could no longer watch her suffer.
— Wait… maybe… it will pass. I just… was nervous about work and yesterday ate that fatty cake…

A couple hours later Amanda fell asleep again.
By evening she barely reacted to questions. She lay motionless, listening to her own breathing, as if checking — it was still there or was about to falter…

Monday, When She Still Had to Keep Her Face at Work

On Monday morning she could no longer gather her thoughts. Her head throbbed like after a blow, speaking was hard — the words came out broken, disrupting her usual flow. But Amanda held on with her last bit of strength, driven by instinct: she needed to write to work, she needed to explain everything…

She opened her laptop, and her fingers barely hit the keys.
— I… will have to take a sick leave… — she whispered to her husband. He only nodded, because arguing with her in that condition made no sense.

Inappropriate Worries

She wrote a message to her manager, and when she sent the letter, another wave of panic washed over her:
What if they think I am undisciplined? What if… Maggie opens her mouth again?

She tried to work — open a document, look at a table — but after a few minutes the screen doubled, her thoughts blurred, and her body felt heavier than air…— You are not working, — her husband gently closed her laptop. — We are going to the doctor.

It Couldn’t Go On Like This…

For the first time in two days Amanda realized: what was happening was much scarier than a migraine or fatigue.
At the emergency department everything happened quickly and almost mechanically: tests, questions, examination…

Amanda lay in the machine, listening to the metallic vibrations resonating through her body, thinking only about one thing: let them find something. Because if they find nothing — then it means she is just a little sick and everything will get better soon. 

Months of Examinations and Confusing Verdicts...

The neurologist was attentive but the questions he asked made her freeze inside.
— Any car accidents? Head injuries? Serious trauma?
— No… nothing like that… — Amanda answered, feeling how with every question the fear in her chest grew heavier.
He ordered a series of MRIs — brain, neck, with contrast and without. She lay inside the humming machine, listening to the vibrations as if they were passing right through her bones. And she thought only one thing: let them find something.

When the first results came in, the doctor said it far too calmly:
— We’re seeing signs of several transient ischemic attacks. These are… mini-strokes.
— What? — she barely heard her own voice. — But… how?
— That’s what we’re trying to understand.
They performed a lumbar puncture — another step in a long list of procedures. The nurse held her by the shoulder and whispered:
— Breathe, you’re doing fine…
And Amanda thought: why is this happening to me?

When the Heart Became the Main Suspect

First they gave her an external cardiac monitor — a little box she had to wear for almost a month.
— Just continue with your normal routine, — the cardiologist said. — If there are rhythm issues, the device will catch them.
Normal? She could barely make it to the kitchen… her legs were almost paralyzed, and her husband had to help her move around…

@Amandawolaver/tiktok

When the monitor showed nothing, the doctor sighed and suggested the next step:
— I think it makes sense to implant a cardiac recorder. It will give us more information.
— Inside… my chest?
— It’s a small procedure. Don’t worry.

“I’m Slowly Dying”

But she did worry. And when she woke up after the procedure, the first thing she said to her husband was:
— I feel like… like an experiment.
— We’re going to get through this, — he said, taking her hand. — We’ll find the cause.
But even the implant gave no answers. Only more questions… and back then poor Amanda didn’t yet know that months would pass before she learned what was truly happening to her…

@Amandawolaver/tiktok

She went through hospitals, hallways, offices. Gave blood, underwent scans. And the whole time her head spun, her legs trembled, her vision blurred.
— I don’t understand any of this, — she told one doctor. — Will it ever end?
— We’re doing everything we can, Amanda, — he replied. — But for now we don’t have a clear explanation.
She looked at him and thought: If you don’t know — who does?
Later she would say:
— While they were trying to figure out what was wrong with me, I was slowly dying.

Amanda Takes Matters Into Her Own Hands

But one day something inside her clicked. She sat down at her laptop, opened a search engine, and simply typed: “sudden symptoms after injections.” And then she read. And read. And read.
Stories from people in Facebook groups poured out one after another. Men and women wrote:
“After Botox, the dizziness started.”
“My legs felt like cotton.”
“Fog. Weakness. Panic. Doctors don’t understand.”

Amanda couldn’t take it anymore and wrote to one woman:
— You… really had the same thing?
— Exactly the same, — the woman replied. — You’re not crazy. This is real.
These two — later there would be three — became her lifeline.
— You’re not alone, — they told her. — Keep looking. Don’t give up!

22 Thousand Pounds for the Truth

When official medicine once again shrugged, Amanda went to a private clinic.
— I’ll pay. Just tell me what’s wrong with me, — she begged the doctor. — Please.
The doctor looked at her with sympathy:
— We’ll do everything we can. But it will be expensive.
— I don’t care.
She underwent a new set of tests and MRIs — deeper, more precise...

And when the results finally came, the doctor sat down across from her, sighed, and said:
— Amanda… we found the cause.
— Tell me…
— It’s iatrogenic botulism.
She was silent for a long time, then whispered:
— This… this is from the injections?
— Yes. The toxin spread farther than it should have.
— I had mini-strokes… because of this?
— Unfortunately, yes.
She stared at a single point and thought: How is this even possible?

An Incurable Condition?!

The doctors explained that there is no direct treatment for Botox poisoning. That she would have to wait.
— How long? — she asked.
— A year, two… sometimes longer, — the doctor said.
— So… I just have to live like this?

— Temporarily, yes. But you will recover.
She was shaking. She tried to understand how to live with this, how to adapt. The world around her became different, heavy like thick air.

Life After the Diagnosis

Months passed, then years of Amanda’s recovery… and her strength was still returning slowly. She changed her diet, gave up caffeine. Lived carefully, listening closely to her body.

— You’re doing amazing, — her husband told her once, hugging her.
— I’m trying, — she replied. — I just don’t have another choice.
And it was true. The most important thing — now she knew what had happened to her. And she knew the road to recovery would be long.
But for the first time in a very long while, she didn’t feel fear — she felt hope that she would get better.