Growing Deeper Roots: My Story of Invisible Illness

GUYS! I did something! I did a thing that makes me feel a little bit more whole.  Yesterday, after going a full week without fainting, I walked to class on my own. I've been practicing walking with my friends around to help me if I get weak or dizzy but yesterday I left my suite and walked about 600 yards to my first class. I needed some help, for my own peace of mind, up the hill of Cater Walk to lunch and across the street to work but other than that, I was independently mobile.  A year ago, this would have been a regular Friday. This wouldn't have even crossed my mind. But 5 months ago, I wasn't sure that I'd ever be do this again. 3 months ago, I wasn't sure I'd go back to school. 3 weeks ago, I thought this campus, with all its hills and bricks, would be the death of me.  But I did it. Even just for a day, I walked on my own and had a taste of normalcy again. What was even more amazing, was how many people knew how much of an accomplishment this...

Thursday I moved back into college. Although it had only been 3 months since I left, things feel immeasurably different. I feel immeasurably different. I moved into a suite style dorm with three of my best friends: Erin, Anna, and Cat. With every worried thought and dreaded moment about returning (see last post), I reminded myself of how great living with these girls will be. They (the universal 'they') tell you that you won't keep your 'freshman orientation friends,' but they haven't met these baller chicks.  Erin is everyone's pseudo mom. She will be proud of me when I'm doing well and love and console me when I'm down. I can already see her cheering me up even when she doesn't know I need it.  Anna is my school version of Kate. She can be weird and goofy with me and then turn around and give me the best advice, and hugs, a girl could ask for. She is, and always has been, great at looking out for me and I'm 98% sure that she...

Friends, Today was difficult. It was difficult because it was my first trial with the wheelchair on my school (WAC)'s campus. As lovely and aesthetically pleasing the 300 year old campus may be, it is not exactly wheelchair friendly. I had a lot of difficulty going up and down hills with uneven brick paths. I also found out how inconveniently placed all the elevators are in buildings.  But it was also difficult because it was the rude awakening to a hopeful dream of an easy return. It was the first day of a long, challenging semester ahead. I have been spoiled with the hardwood floors in my house and the even terrain I've been wheeling around all summer. Now, I have to adjust to the much more challenging environment I will be living in.  It was also my first day waking up at 6 am and having a constant stream of activity since I've gotten sick. I have been spoiled with low activity days and mental rest. Today, I remembered how tolling it can all be. By the time I got ...