Saturday, August 24, 2013

Back to School!

Well the new school year started! I don't really have much to say though... I am taking 10 credit hours though! Microeconomics, College Algebra, and Public Speaking. HAHAHA. public speaking... that should be fun. I mean sometimes I can't even order my own food because my brain just doesn't function! I walked up to the Financial Aid office and my mind went completely blank. The lady just stared at me like, "What the heck is wrong with you?" Invisible illness fun right there. Why can't my brain just be normal?! Well actually, according to all the MRI's My brain is very healthy ^-^ Other than that, I am ridiculously excited about school. Don't even care about homework because it gives me something to do! I am so done with this sitting around doing nothing stuff. So Wish me luck as I attempt 3 classes! When I gave my teachers the accommodations paper I decided to simplify my whole illness with the most official words I could. "I have an auto immune disease." They were really nice about it! Although some people when you say you have chronic fatigue just think you're trying to make excuses. I mean even I didn't take the doctor seriously at first.

 It's incredibly difficult seeing so many of my friends move into dorms especially the ones at CSU because that's where I had been planning, and still am, on going. A bunch of people posted pictures about the CSU class of 2017 and I just wished so much that I was there too! I think that everything happens for a reason though and right now while I'm getting back into things I just need to trust that everything will turn out for the best. 

HAHA! Oh my gosh! Did I tell people i FINALLY got my license in May? Yeah... permit expired, but my brain fog isn't at its worst so I'm able to drive... WATCH OUT! Ha just kidding. Kinda. Anyways, The other day I went to the grocery store and parked in handicap. The looks I go were SO confused. They sort of went like this: 
So a teenage girl, in a minivan, in handicap parking. Yeah... I should probably find the paper that says the handicap parking is for me. But ya know what? They don't know me and they don't know my life. I'm not just using it because it's more convenient when I suck at parking! No! I'm using it so I don't pass out or use unnecessary spoons. 

Right before school started I got my wisdom teeth pulled and let me tell you, anesthesia, extra steroids and whatever else they gave me made my blood pressure CRAZY! 173/113 I think? I had to stay an extra five/six hours because the nurses were like:
Finally when it was down to something over 100 I convinced them I was fine and they let me go. I really just wanted to use that picture... I found it on tumblr awhile ago with a caption about how nurses act when taking a POTS patient's blood pressure. Looks pretty accurate. And then my mom and I can put on our "I told you so" faces. (Lots of nurses take orthostatics without waiting 5 minutes and get annoyed when My mom tells them they have to wait 5 minutes in between) 

Holy Cow. This September will be my 3rd year with this suck-fest! That's awesome. But that's chronic illness for you. I saw a meme that said "Auto-immune disease: because the only think that can kick my butt is ME." I couldn't find it again but I thought it's funny. I mean if this were something i could push through, I would without a doubt. However, fighting back is pointless with CFS/ME. Well anyways, I'm extremely grateful that my health is improving. Some aren't as lucky and so many have it worse than I do. A year ago I was starting to get better, but I was still using my wheelchair and had a lot of brain fog and focus issues. My blood pressure was all over the place and slept a lot more! I'm on the road to recovery and that's what matters most. I've mentioned this before, but it gets me every time; on my good days, it feels like I've been faking the last 3 years of my life, but then I have a bad day and I remember how real this actually is. It's not in my head. It's not from lack of activity. It's not laziness. It's not an excuse. I've been sick and there's nothing I can do about it except focus on the future. Nobody would chose to feel like this or have their entire life changed because they're not capable of what they once were. 

Anyways, life happens and all we can do is embrace it with as much grace as we can muster! What comes after a rainstorm? A RAINBOW! I'm pretty sure I used that in one of my other posts, but it keeps raining here in Colorado and I keep seeing rainbows all over the place! Oh And thanks for reading everyone! It means a lot that so many of you actually take the time to read my blog! I never know what to post, but then I remember the point of it is to help people understand my illness. I mean I'm not looking for sympathy or anything! it's just that CFS/ME is complicated to understand unless you have it. So thank you everyone!!

10 comments:

  1. Great post - sending you lots of love and happy thoughts for school!

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  2. Yea for you! I'm so happy that you're able to take more classes this semester. Just remember...pacing is a good thing!I LOVE your rainbows analogy. You continue to amaze me with your approach to this dreadful illness. Although you certainly have your challenging days, you generally choose to look at the positives in your life and even manage to find the humor in difficult situations! I learn from you all the time and am grateful that you're willing to share as I know it's not easy for you. Hugs always!

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  3. Hi Gabby,

    I am really exited that you are taking 3 classes!! I will keep praying that you will soon be decorating that dorm room and having fun at CSU. Found your comments about the looks you got parking in a handicap space interesting....people are so quick to judge and think the worse. Next time I see something I will pause before making a quick judgment. Sending lots of encouragement from Nebraska! Sue, Aleena and Matt

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  4. When I saw "Life on Pause" in my in-box I got excited as I am always inspired by your writing. You did not disappoint! Your stories are real, meaningful and heart filled. I appreciate anonymous's comment about pausing before making a quick judgment. Your blog is huge service in this area. My leaps (to judgement) have never been for any good-I try not to keep a file of your stories in my heart so I can keep my leaping to judgement in check.

    Congratulations on getting your driver's license; I love the freedom that driving can bring. Yippee for 10 credits! I am imagining you being at CSU and living in Fort Collins. I am looking forward to having you over for dinner and going on a creative excursion as a study break. Jack Charles and Henry George will enjoy meeting you.

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  5. Great news about study Gabriella! And your license! Harriet was exactly the same when she was at school...just so nice to have something to do! She is hoping to get back a bit in the next month or so but we'll see. She's only 14 so has some time up her sleeve. Enjoy your regained freedom as I'm sure you will. Best wishes from Australia x

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  6. Gabby, Although you won't remember me, I remember when your mom brought you home! When you were a toddler, you ran around our office, and you even drew me a picture once. We even sang "A, You're Adorable," although your voice was much better than mine!

    What a strong and inspirational young woman you are. I applaud and admire the way you are dealing with your disease and the fact that you are trying to support others and help people understand CFS/ME. This blog post is evidence of your wonderful spirit and determination. I am happy that you are able to take three courses -- and not easy ones, either!

    And, as an aside, the pictures you included in this post are so right-on! I love the way you inject humor into a serious subject currently complicating your life.

    Good luck, Gabby!

    Faye Gibson (from CDE)

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  7. Abby,

    Thanks for posting this! I shared it with my mom because she doesn't have Facebook. Hope that's ok!

    -Caitlin

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  8. Hey, Lady!
    Your optimism is amazing & your hope incredible. It's OK that it sucks, too, sometimes though. Praying for your year and your heart.
    Still Love Ya!
    Julie Van Hove :)

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  9. I am so inspired by your writings! You have taught us all so much. Sometimes as human beings we forget to be patient and understanding of things we do not know, but you so beautifully remind us, to pause and not be quick to judge. You are lucky to have your mom by your side, not to mention your siblings and friends. Nice to have those close to you to lean on when the road gets rough to travel. Take care and keep the positive attitude, it will get you not only thru this illness, but life with many successes and rewards for a job well done.

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