twenty-two.

As I begin my twenty-second year in this world, I can’t help but be relieved for this past year to be over but am also incredibly excited to see what this next year holds. Twenty-one brought with it obstacles that I never thought I’d have to face. For the first time, my health greatly interfered with my life; every “sick” year before this pales in comparison to the last 13 months and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take all of those years for granted. After nearly a dozen hospitalizations and numerous surgical procedures, I truly learned what it was like to have a critical chronic illness. I felt emotions that I’ve never before categorized with my health — fear, anger, defeat, sadness, and finally, acceptance. I had to change my lifestyle to cater to my illness and with my strong-willed (some may some stubborn) personality, this wasn’t easy for me to do.

While twenty-one was one of my toughest years, I can’t discredit the triumphs that also came with it. Despite my wavering health, I won my third national championship with the JMU Dukettes, completed my senior thesis that covered nearly three years of research with a fellow student, graduated cum laude from JMU, and was accepted into GW’s graduate program in anatomical and translational sciences. None of the hard times over the last year could overpower any of these accomplishments for me. I also know that none of this would’ve been possible if I didn’t have my incredible support system, which includes all of you reading this post.

I have been overwhelmed in the best way possible with all of the love and support I received over the last year. It is because of all of you that I am able to keep a smile on my face and continue to pursue my dreams. I have documented so much over the last 13 months — the good, the bad, and the ugly — and I plan on sharing all of that with you in a series of blog posts.

In my very first blog post, I compared life with a chronic illness to fighting an uphill battle. I have to admit that twenty-one was the first time I really had to fight that battle, but standing here starting my twenty-second trip around the sun, with so much hope and excitement for the future, I can confirm that the view from the top of this hill is truly amazing.

“Experience is the most brutal of teachers but you learn, my God, do you learn.”

   – C.S. Lewis