Hey! I’m Alaina
Chronic Illness Warrior, nurse leader, global health researcher, adventure-seeker, and Disney enthusiast. I live in the Boston area with my husband, Cameron, and our two Italian Greyhounds, Hiroshi and Pocky. I hold a PhD in nursing and work in healthcare leadership, research, and education, all while managing multiple chronic illnesses.
I started Trekking Through to share my journey—through life, chronic illness, challenges, and triumphs. Right now, I’m training for a Trek to Everest Base Camp in October 2025, which is no easy task when you’re living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, dysautonomia, asthma, endometriosis, PCOS, and life post-bariatric surgery. I also follow a gluten-free diet due to an immune reaction to gluten……and that’s just scratching the surface.
Managing all of this while preparing for a major trek takes resilience, patience, and a lot of trial and error. I’m here to share that journey, the ups and downs, the lessons, and the real-life moments, some sad and some hopefully funny. When I’m not figuring out how to make all of this work, you’ll probably find me baking gluten-free goodies, planning my next Disney trip, or testing out ways to stay active without wrecking my body.
Whether you’re here for adventure, inspiration, or just a glimpse into my journey, I’m excited to have you along for the trek.