In the world of medicine, healthcare professionals are taught this sometimes logical thinking when it comes to diagnosing a patient, ‘when you hear hoof beats, think of horses, not zebras.' What this simply means is when a patient shows up with symptoms, even if those symptoms are more unique in nature, they most likely are not going to end up being a zebra and being diagnosed with a rare condition. However, what happens sometimes, some of those patients do end up being a zebra. Most often doctors focus solely on their patient "having" to be a horse and dismiss all their zebra stripes. This can lead to more misery, prolonged and worsening of symptoms. Emotional and mental agony can also occur, which is also known as medical gaslighting. I understand what this feels like. I understand every part of this. I was never the damn horse. I was always the zebra. For many years, I felt this way due to having chronic illness and facial pain. One of the many ch...