I started to write this as a Facebook status, and then realized it's not something I can talk about in a matter of sentences. So I'm going to write a blog for the first time in forever because well, I can and because I need a reason to procrastinate on studying for my midterm.
On August 29th, I was admitted to the hospital for a tune up. This wasn't planned and definitely not expected or wanted. My lung function and my weight were down. My PFTs didn't respond to oral IVs and steroids. I was starting a new semester and a new job. Flu season was approaching. Too many things going wrong and not enough going right, so I agreed to be admitted. My doctor didn't want to take a risk of me getting sicker and needing a longer, more serious admission later in semester.
This was my first admission to the adult ward at Portsmouth Navy and goodness, was it an experience. My last 19 admissions were to Pediatrics, with nurses that know me and love me. Not to say that adult nurses don't care about their patients, but when you're 15 years old and admitted to the same ward 3-4 times a year, people notice and people care. They watch you grow up. They go out of their way to make sure you get not only what you need, but what you want. They become your friends. When I was at the hospital for an appointment, I would go upstairs to the ward just to say hello. I make cookies as a thank you after every admission. As messed up at this is going to sound, one of the safest places in the world for me was on that ward. Some of the worst days of my life have been sitting in one of those hospital beds, but the people have been nothing short of amazing through each and every one of them.
Moving to a new ward with new doctors, new nurses, new corpsmen.. I was terrified. I didn't know what to expect. I also didn't even know I was being moved until I got to the hospital to check in, so I felt blindsided and unprepared. Unfortunately, my first experience was rough.
March 26, 2014
Happy Spring!
Hello blog world,
So first things first, I really do suck at blogging. I have a New Years' Resolution post that I starting writing almost three months ago still saved as a draft... pretty bad, I know. But my mom has been bugging, I mean.. sweetly encouraging me to get back into it (mostly because she keeps telling her grad school classmates about my blog, and then remembers I don't write on it... ha), so I told her I would give it a shot. Fortunately for her, I have a great topic to start things off!
Every year, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation host a national fundraiser called Great Strides. Since starting as an intern with them in 2011, I have been active with fundraising as well as working at the walk. Below is my fundraising letter for this year, which coincidentally, also functions as school project.
January 3, 2014
Happy New Years!
So, I think it's become perfectly obvious over the last six months that I am pretty terrible at this blogging thing. Definitely on my "let's do better in 2014" list, a.k.a, new years resolution I probably won't follow through with... which I will officially write in the coming week.
But until then, I found this little 2013 "Recollections" survey. Thought this would be a fun way to start off the new year, while letting y'all know of some of the highlights I failed to blog about since June. Enjoy!
1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Legally drank alcohol. Finished my first year at Old Dominion University. Saw Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls and Maroon 5 (plus a dozen openers) all live in concert. Became a YoungLife leader. Had 5 hospital admissions in one year.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any, actually. And yes, I'm going to try something new this year. See next blog post.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! One of my oldest and dearest friends from high school had a babygirl in May. Cutest pseudo-niece I've ever had!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not particularly close. I knew a few CFers that passed away. And right before Christmas, my friend died in a car accident, We weren't super close, but he was one of the corpsman from my hospital and a really fantastic guy. Breaks my heart that we didn't have the time to become good friends.
5. What places did you visit?
Hm, Washington DC, North Carolina... woo, I'm so exciting.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Honestly, I wouldn't mind being in a relationship again. Been almost three years since I actually had a "boyfriend." Kind of miss it, but we will see.
7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I can't think of any specific dates except December 12, when I found out that Tory had died, because it was recent and my dad's birthday, so I'll probably always remember that one.
8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
Probably maintaining a 4.0 gpa at ODU, or being one of seven students out of 24,000 to be selected for the pilot semester of a scholars/leadership program.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hm, that's a good question. Most of my failures are little daily things I should know/do better, I can't really think of any BIG things? Applied for a job and didn't get it?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
You mean, besides the multiple chronic illnesses I already have? Haha. Broke my toe over the summer, otherwise nothing in particular. I don't have many injuries. And illness is a relative term when it comes to cystic fibrosis.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Country Megaticket, definitely. Or a pair of Manolo Bhlaniks for $5 at the thrift store.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
There were a lot of things and a lot of people to be celebrated in 2013.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few people come to mind, but it's not worth naming names or dwelling on. It's in the past now.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food. It's always food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Big brother coming home from deployment and summer concerts.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Haha.. Wrecking Ball, for the fall semester at least.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder? Happier :)
b) thinner or fatter? Basically the same, maybe a few lbs less.
c) Richer or poorer? Richer. I have a job, and students loans now. Which actually probably means I'm poorer... oops.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Taking my medicines. Blogging. Traveling.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. Drinking soda. Cutting my hair.
20. How did you spend Christmas this year?
At the house, with mom and the brothers and most of their plus ones.
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
No.
22. How was work?
Great! I started as an after school nanny for two adorable kids. Good money, good hours. Not too difficult for my health.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Nashville and Pretty Little Liars are the only current shows I watch and are pretty much tied. Criminal Minds and Friends as far as reruns go. And One Tree Hill on Netflix for sure.
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2013?
Blame it on the al al al al alcohol! Haha, I turned 21. So I purchased alcohol and drank it. And made it to my 9am class the next day ;)
25. What was the best book you read?
The Fault in Our Stars, without question.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Chase Rice.
27. What did you want and get?
Like a material item? A MacBook pro.
28. What did you want and not get?
A winning lottery ticket.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
We're The Millers, maybe? I don't feel like I watched that many new films.
30. Did you make some new friends this year?
Yes, a lot! Some of the best through YoungLife.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Err.. less health problems?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I should really just quit school and become a personal shopper.
33. What kept you sane?
My mother, country music, ice cold Dr. Pepper, my best friends and my baby brother's sense of humor.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I think gay marriage, legalizing marijuana and the ACA were pretty much top on everyone's list.
35. What political issue stirred you the least?
I'm going to be honest, I didn't pay much attention to my local elections at all.
36. Best sports moment?
But until then, I found this little 2013 "Recollections" survey. Thought this would be a fun way to start off the new year, while letting y'all know of some of the highlights I failed to blog about since June. Enjoy!
Legally drank alcohol. Finished my first year at Old Dominion University. Saw Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls and Maroon 5 (plus a dozen openers) all live in concert. Became a YoungLife leader. Had 5 hospital admissions in one year.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any, actually. And yes, I'm going to try something new this year. See next blog post.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! One of my oldest and dearest friends from high school had a babygirl in May. Cutest pseudo-niece I've ever had!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not particularly close. I knew a few CFers that passed away. And right before Christmas, my friend died in a car accident, We weren't super close, but he was one of the corpsman from my hospital and a really fantastic guy. Breaks my heart that we didn't have the time to become good friends.
5. What places did you visit?
Hm, Washington DC, North Carolina... woo, I'm so exciting.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Honestly, I wouldn't mind being in a relationship again. Been almost three years since I actually had a "boyfriend." Kind of miss it, but we will see.
7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I can't think of any specific dates except December 12, when I found out that Tory had died, because it was recent and my dad's birthday, so I'll probably always remember that one.
8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
Probably maintaining a 4.0 gpa at ODU, or being one of seven students out of 24,000 to be selected for the pilot semester of a scholars/leadership program.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hm, that's a good question. Most of my failures are little daily things I should know/do better, I can't really think of any BIG things? Applied for a job and didn't get it?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
You mean, besides the multiple chronic illnesses I already have? Haha. Broke my toe over the summer, otherwise nothing in particular. I don't have many injuries. And illness is a relative term when it comes to cystic fibrosis.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Country Megaticket, definitely. Or a pair of Manolo Bhlaniks for $5 at the thrift store.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
There were a lot of things and a lot of people to be celebrated in 2013.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few people come to mind, but it's not worth naming names or dwelling on. It's in the past now.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food. It's always food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Big brother coming home from deployment and summer concerts.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Haha.. Wrecking Ball, for the fall semester at least.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder? Happier :)
b) thinner or fatter? Basically the same, maybe a few lbs less.
c) Richer or poorer? Richer. I have a job, and students loans now. Which actually probably means I'm poorer... oops.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Taking my medicines. Blogging. Traveling.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. Drinking soda. Cutting my hair.
20. How did you spend Christmas this year?
At the house, with mom and the brothers and most of their plus ones.
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
No.
22. How was work?
Great! I started as an after school nanny for two adorable kids. Good money, good hours. Not too difficult for my health.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Nashville and Pretty Little Liars are the only current shows I watch and are pretty much tied. Criminal Minds and Friends as far as reruns go. And One Tree Hill on Netflix for sure.
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2013?
Blame it on the al al al al alcohol! Haha, I turned 21. So I purchased alcohol and drank it. And made it to my 9am class the next day ;)
25. What was the best book you read?
The Fault in Our Stars, without question.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Chase Rice.
27. What did you want and get?
Like a material item? A MacBook pro.
28. What did you want and not get?
A winning lottery ticket.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
We're The Millers, maybe? I don't feel like I watched that many new films.
30. Did you make some new friends this year?
Yes, a lot! Some of the best through YoungLife.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Err.. less health problems?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I should really just quit school and become a personal shopper.
33. What kept you sane?
My mother, country music, ice cold Dr. Pepper, my best friends and my baby brother's sense of humor.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I think gay marriage, legalizing marijuana and the ACA were pretty much top on everyone's list.
35. What political issue stirred you the least?
I'm going to be honest, I didn't pay much attention to my local elections at all.
36. Best sports moment?
Does volunteering at the Color Me Rad 5k count?
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Tory Krueger.
38. Burn any bridges?
I try not to do that.
39. Best new restaurant you went to?
Chow! On Colley Ave. So good, oh my gosh.
40. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Let go and let God. More than anything, He knows where you're suppose to be in life, and He will make sure you get there.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Tory Krueger.
38. Burn any bridges?
I try not to do that.
39. Best new restaurant you went to?
Chow! On Colley Ave. So good, oh my gosh.
40. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Let go and let God. More than anything, He knows where you're suppose to be in life, and He will make sure you get there.
Oh, and don't jump into the Atlantic Ocean at 1am in skinny jeans.
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