Yesterday was my first day of college! Besides having to wake up really early for classes (6 AM), I had a great day. For the most part...
First off, I was not prepared for the hills I have to climb to get from class to class! Even just getting to the gym is a good warm up. I now know how shallow my breathing was before I moved here. I am constantly out of breath when I go from one building to the next. Hopefully that will improve as time goes on. Also, my calves are going to look awesome! You have to be positive right?
Also, my allergies decided to get the better of me because of the nice little rain we had the day before. By the end of my entertaining Comm class (no sarcasm!), I had a horrible sinus headache. :( At least the headache didn't start until my last class. That is the best I could hope for considering it was coming whether I liked it or not!
After Comm (which stands for Communications by the way), I headed back to my dorm room to take a nap. And of course the dang fire alarm went off and I had to evacuate the dorm for about an hour. I take comfort in the fact that I am not the only resident who walked out sleepy-eyed and grumpy. I still don't know what happened to cause the alarm to go off. Hmm... I should probably ask.
Anywho, yesterday turned out to be a great day despite minor inconveniences due mostly to my own health. But hey, you have to roll with the punches right?
8.27.2013
7.24.2013
Aaahh! Insurance
What is America without hassles, headaches and unnecessary regulations? If you asked me, I would have to say the biggest headache is health insurance. Can you believe in this day and age with all the medical conditions out there personal health insurance companies can still deny you insurance if you have a preexisting condition? Apparently they can also raise your rate and premium for having an illness. No wonder so many people have no health insurance!
You know what else I have found out? I have to be 19 to get my own health insurance. Until then every company I have talked to has tried to sell me temporary insurance in case I get into an accident or get sick all of a sudden. Umm... I am sick and need insurance to help pay for the medication which so conveniently costs more than my college tuition each month.
In speaking of college, I have looked at their insurance and it would only cover 60% of my medication cost after the 300 dollar premium. Since I really have about 1,000 dollars hanging around to spend each month on medication. I know that's not much and it's pretty good coverage for only around $2000 a year. I guess I'm really just angry at the medical company that makes my medication for making it so expensive.
I guess my stepmom was right. I am a million dollar baby. Too bad I can't spend that money the way I want to. xP
You know what else I have found out? I have to be 19 to get my own health insurance. Until then every company I have talked to has tried to sell me temporary insurance in case I get into an accident or get sick all of a sudden. Umm... I am sick and need insurance to help pay for the medication which so conveniently costs more than my college tuition each month.
In speaking of college, I have looked at their insurance and it would only cover 60% of my medication cost after the 300 dollar premium. Since I really have about 1,000 dollars hanging around to spend each month on medication. I know that's not much and it's pretty good coverage for only around $2000 a year. I guess I'm really just angry at the medical company that makes my medication for making it so expensive.
I guess my stepmom was right. I am a million dollar baby. Too bad I can't spend that money the way I want to. xP
6.15.2013
The Power of Music
Like every other teenager living in the 21st century, music is my life. Although I would have to add that music is the only thing that has kept me from going insane through all of my medical adventures. No matter how unique WHIMS is or how baffled my doctors become, I can always find a song that will make me feel like I'm not alone.
Thanks to Pandora Radio, I have found my official anthem. I have found that one particular song that makes me want to get out of bed every morning and continue with my life. This song brings out the courage and determination that lay deep within me. What song is that you ask? It's called My Body by Young the Giant.
The chorus of My Body, those short few lines drive me to keep going. What is so special about those few words? The chorus goes "My body's sayin no, But I won't quit, Cause I want more, Cause I want more". In these lines I see that yes, my body is my biggest hurdle and sometimes physically doing things seems almost impossible but I can't let that determine my life. I do want more. I want to be able to say that despite my health, I did everything in my power to live a normal life. I want to be able to say that I didn't let my physical hurdles get in the way of what I wanted to do with my life.
This song can mean so many different things. It's incredibly catchy too. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYpF2pCkLI
In my opinion, this song can apply to anyone with an immunodeficiency or anyone who has cancer. I also encourage you to listen to their other music. Here's the link to the website too!
http://www.youngthegiant.com/
Enjoy!!
Thanks to Pandora Radio, I have found my official anthem. I have found that one particular song that makes me want to get out of bed every morning and continue with my life. This song brings out the courage and determination that lay deep within me. What song is that you ask? It's called My Body by Young the Giant.
The chorus of My Body, those short few lines drive me to keep going. What is so special about those few words? The chorus goes "My body's sayin no, But I won't quit, Cause I want more, Cause I want more". In these lines I see that yes, my body is my biggest hurdle and sometimes physically doing things seems almost impossible but I can't let that determine my life. I do want more. I want to be able to say that despite my health, I did everything in my power to live a normal life. I want to be able to say that I didn't let my physical hurdles get in the way of what I wanted to do with my life.
This song can mean so many different things. It's incredibly catchy too. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYpF2pCkLI
In my opinion, this song can apply to anyone with an immunodeficiency or anyone who has cancer. I also encourage you to listen to their other music. Here's the link to the website too!
http://www.youngthegiant.com/
Enjoy!!
6.14.2013
I am me
These past few weeks have been FUN! (sarcastic tone)
Last week, my sisters came to town for my graduation and to help pack up our apartment. Because Frisco is an expensive place to live, my dad decided it was time to live closer to one of my sisters in Nashville. Getting to see my sisters again since Thanksgiving was wonderful and we did have fun during their trip. Unfortunately, the stress and little family tiffs (because what's family fun without the usual tiffs?!) started to get to me.
There were plenty of school projects to do in the last week of school plus packing to leave the morning after graduation. It got pretty hectic and started to affect me physically. I became really tired and achy. My headaches became more frequent and my wisdom teeth started hurting more than normal. I also became very moody and did not want to interact with the people around me. Surprisingly to most people, I was expecting this to happen.
Every time I have moved to a new place, the decision had been sudden and without a thought of how I felt. (Before I go on, my mini ranting does not include the most recent move. The friends I have made in Frisco are great but I never belonged there.) I know when you are a little kid, your opinions about moving don't affect the decision but it's nice to be remembered every once in awhile. It is because of these unspoken feelings that I become an entirely different person when it comes time to move to a different "home".
Now I know what you are thinking, "Why doesn't she let the people around her know how she feels? Why does she keep things bottled up?". The truth: 1. I have always felt that I get in the way of the people around me and that I already burden them so much with my health problems and needs. 2. I don't keep things bottled up. I let my feelings out through my escape, my music.
Music is the one thing that keeps me going through thick and thin. At any moment in time, no matter my mood, I can always find a song that matches how I feel. Some people don't think much about that but I find that to be the most fascinating thing. There are only so many music notes, music patterns, and words and yet songwriters are coming up with new songs every day. Granted some of them sound very similar.
Anywho... After my roller coaster week I learned something about myself. Yeah having WHIMS is a struggle I don't wish upon anyone and yes it can get tiring but I wouldn't be me without it. I couldn't imagine a Caitlyn Listz that is completely healthy. I am strong, understanding, caring, and patient because having WHIMS has tested me beyond the limits of most people. WHIMS is not only a part of my genetic makeup, it's a part of my personality. I wouldn't trade it for anything. (As for trading medication side effects for having none is an entirely different story.)
After having said that, I think this quote I happened upon on pinterest fits quite well:
Last week, my sisters came to town for my graduation and to help pack up our apartment. Because Frisco is an expensive place to live, my dad decided it was time to live closer to one of my sisters in Nashville. Getting to see my sisters again since Thanksgiving was wonderful and we did have fun during their trip. Unfortunately, the stress and little family tiffs (because what's family fun without the usual tiffs?!) started to get to me.
There were plenty of school projects to do in the last week of school plus packing to leave the morning after graduation. It got pretty hectic and started to affect me physically. I became really tired and achy. My headaches became more frequent and my wisdom teeth started hurting more than normal. I also became very moody and did not want to interact with the people around me. Surprisingly to most people, I was expecting this to happen.
Every time I have moved to a new place, the decision had been sudden and without a thought of how I felt. (Before I go on, my mini ranting does not include the most recent move. The friends I have made in Frisco are great but I never belonged there.) I know when you are a little kid, your opinions about moving don't affect the decision but it's nice to be remembered every once in awhile. It is because of these unspoken feelings that I become an entirely different person when it comes time to move to a different "home".
Now I know what you are thinking, "Why doesn't she let the people around her know how she feels? Why does she keep things bottled up?". The truth: 1. I have always felt that I get in the way of the people around me and that I already burden them so much with my health problems and needs. 2. I don't keep things bottled up. I let my feelings out through my escape, my music.
Music is the one thing that keeps me going through thick and thin. At any moment in time, no matter my mood, I can always find a song that matches how I feel. Some people don't think much about that but I find that to be the most fascinating thing. There are only so many music notes, music patterns, and words and yet songwriters are coming up with new songs every day. Granted some of them sound very similar.
Anywho... After my roller coaster week I learned something about myself. Yeah having WHIMS is a struggle I don't wish upon anyone and yes it can get tiring but I wouldn't be me without it. I couldn't imagine a Caitlyn Listz that is completely healthy. I am strong, understanding, caring, and patient because having WHIMS has tested me beyond the limits of most people. WHIMS is not only a part of my genetic makeup, it's a part of my personality. I wouldn't trade it for anything. (As for trading medication side effects for having none is an entirely different story.)
After having said that, I think this quote I happened upon on pinterest fits quite well:
5.06.2013
Accepted WooHoo!
These past few weeks have been hectic! There is soo much to be done before I graduate. All of these things range from Grad announcements to coordinating annual doctor appointments to college applications. I have felt overwhelmed and worried.
But all of that has changed because...
I'M GOING TO TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY!!!!!
Now that this one puzzle piece has fallen into place I can rest a little easier. I have to work just as hard or even harder but I can rest easier. :)
4.25.2013
Primary Immunodeficiency Week and The Jeffery Modell Foundation
Just reminding everyone that this week is World Primary Immunodeficiency Week (April 22-29). Remind everyone and post it on facebook because we need all the awareness we can get. We matter just as much as everyone else and if we get the word out we can all make a difference to better the future for those of us with immunodeficiencies.
Also don't forget about the Jeffery Modell Foundation. JMF is an organization that funds many events and research specifically for people with a Primary Immunodeficiency. Below is a link to the website for JMF.
http://www.info4pi.org/jmf/index.cfm?CFID=2478354&CFTOKEN=fb1e8b4c6a7f2c42-A0B77A5D-A9E3-AC3E-5F63412B678D96CA
Also don't forget about the Jeffery Modell Foundation. JMF is an organization that funds many events and research specifically for people with a Primary Immunodeficiency. Below is a link to the website for JMF.
http://www.info4pi.org/jmf/index.cfm?CFID=2478354&CFTOKEN=fb1e8b4c6a7f2c42-A0B77A5D-A9E3-AC3E-5F63412B678D96CA
4.11.2013
Allergies
One of the many nuisances that come with having WHIMS is the constant allergies. I am the type of person who likes to travel often but ends up sick for a few days no matter where I go. I had recently gone home to Lafayette, Louisiana for spring break. I was able to see almost everyone I love and care about. Not to mention it was a great way to get my mind off of the stress I was and still am dealing with here in Texas. It was great to let go and be me again... mostly. Sadly during the entire trip, I had to keep a box of Kleenex and a bottle of Robitussin within a few feet of me.
It drives me crazy that even when I travel to the one place I have spent most of my life, my immune system is still compromised. Like every other normal teenager, I wanted to travel the world. See places like India, Spain, France, and Italy. I wanted to visit Ghana and see where my father spent his childhood. I wanted to walk down the streets he played on as a kid. I wanted to see the house he lived in. Where he made a homemade flash bulb using the wall outlet and shut down the power to the entire neighborhood along with other memories.
It drives me crazy that even when I travel to the one place I have spent most of my life, my immune system is still compromised. Like every other normal teenager, I wanted to travel the world. See places like India, Spain, France, and Italy. I wanted to visit Ghana and see where my father spent his childhood. I wanted to walk down the streets he played on as a kid. I wanted to see the house he lived in. Where he made a homemade flash bulb using the wall outlet and shut down the power to the entire neighborhood along with other memories.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)