It's been a while...

It has been over two weeks since I last posted. I haven't really been up to anything because I am on break. I talked to my doctor last week and updated her. I am doing very well. If anything, I am struggling to get in extra salt. She was super excited that I am doing so well. When we were in Minnesota we talked about getting rid of one of my medications. I am currently in the process of reducing it. I haven't really had any withdrawals symptoms which is AH-mazing! Hopefully by the time I go back to school, I will be completely off of it. Earlier last week I got a letter in the mail from the Mayo Clinic asking for my permission to use my records and charts for research. This means that Case Study #1 is under way! This is very exciting because a connection could be found between gastroparesis and POTS/dysautonomia. A cure could come from this connection, but that is hoping for a lot. Right now, I am just happy that there is progress being made between the two diseases.
Since we just celebrated Christmas and are about to start a new year, I wanted to say how thankful I am for each and every one of you. I am so thankful for my family and friends who helped me get through this year. I am thankful for the health that I do have. For as many things that I have been through with my health in the last year, there are numerous people who have so many more medical issues than I have. God has blessed me with an abundant amount things that there is no way I could not be happy with my life and current outcome. 2014 has been a struggle some days but joyous and fun other days. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me in 2015. Here's to the best year of our lives!
Until next time,
A :)

POTSies: They're Everywhere!

POTSies are people who have POTS. Since I have received my diagnosis (and even before), I have met so many POTSies! Today, I had the pleasure of meeting a POTsie who I went to high school with for 3 years. Jess is a year younger than me and graduated from SJA in 2013. It was so nice to talk to someone who is in the same situation as me. She is in a sorority, does amazing things for her university, and works multiple jobs. She has a list of diagnoses as long as mine, or even longer. Although, my brother is a POTsie and is literally in the room next to mine, talking to Jess was amazing and something that I definitely needed. We didn't stop talking for 3 hours straight! We compared diseases and medications like nobody's business. People sitting next to us were looking at us like we were crazy. We also chatted about school, our blessings, our futures (and the multitude of things they could contain), and our pill boxes. I know that I am never alone in my battle with my chronic illnesses but to be able to talk to somebody about all of the these things and someone who is so similar to me was a great release!
In other news, I GOT A 4.0!! This is my first 4.0 in college and I could not be more overjoyed! For everything that I went through this semester, I was happy and thankful with the 3.75 I thought I was going to get.
Today was an overall amazing day! I hope everyone has a wonderful break (whether it has already started or you still a little while left)!
Until next time,
A :)

5th Semester: Complete

Well, I made it through my 5th semester at LSU! Starting this semester I never imagined the struggles and challenges I would face. I had more complications internally than I have had in long time. I struggled in my classes, even having to drop one. One hell of a semester would definitely be an understatement. For as many issues that have come my way, so many great experiences came as well. I have met so many amazing people this semester. I have been to a couple phenomenal concerts with even better people. I have been more active in both LSU Ambassadors and Theta than I have ever been. I know that I will definitely have a 3.75 for the semester and depending on how one class falls, I may end up with my first 4.0 in college. I feel so lucky to be able to continue to go to school and do the things I love even though I have medical conditions that half of you can't pronounce (it's okay, medical terminology is hard). From recruitment at the beginning of August to finals this week, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been with me through all of this. Thank you to everyone who has continued to pray for me over these past few months. You have no idea how much it means to me. God has been so good to me in my twenty years on this wonderful earth. I can't wait to see what He has in store for me in the next twenty years and beyond.
Until next time,
A :)

Living for the Ups

I had my last class of the semester today. I can't believe that it's already December 5th and I only have a year and a half left of college! Well, I have to get through my finals next week but those should be nothing compared to the semester I have had so far.

Last night was one of the best nights of my life! I went to a Hunter Hayes' concert in New Orleans with some friends (shoutout to Jade and Kim)! I got to do a meet and greet, which I have been waiting to do for over three years now! To be able to talk to him and get a little bit of an insight into his life was something spectacular. He was so thankful for everyone coming out and for all of the returners to his concert (myself a 4th timer). To be able to meet him and have conversations with him were phenomenal. Some people probably think I am just some crazed fan, but if you knew this guy, you would understand. When I bought my ticket in September, I couldn't even fathom making it to December 4th and this was before everything got really crazy. I am so thankful to be able to have these adventures in life. And on top of it all, to have this experience with the girls I did was unbelievable. Last night, I had more fun that I could have ever thought possible. I laughed until I cried (something I haven't done in a very very long time). The memories I made will not soon, if ever, be forgotten. 

The concert itself was spectacular! We had early entrance so we (thanks to Jade and Kim patiently waiting) were able to be dead center up against the stage. The Railers were the first opener and they had a ton of energy. Next, were Dan + Shay. I fell in love with these guys when I saw Hunter in April and they were his first openers. I knew all of their songs and they even sang right to me on multiple occasions. Dan threw me the pick he used to play with after they were done with their set. I have tickets to see them at The Varsity, here in Baton Rouge in March and I couldn't be more excited. Hunter came on and played the longest set he said that he has ever played. He is one hell of a musician. He played multiple guitars (electric and acoustic), the piano, the drums, all while singing and running around on stage. He even played a song from his album "Songs about Nothing" that was released years ago before he had a record deal. Me, being the crazed fan that I am, know every song on that album. He introduced the song by saying this song is so old and none of you are going to know it but I have always wanted to play it in this venue. Only one other fan and myself (that I could see) knew the song and we were belting our lungs out. I was on the the large video screens twice! I was singing straight to the camera and even blew a kiss during the song Love Makes Me which was also when I was on the big screens at one of his other concerts. After it was all over, I got a pick from Matt (the bassist in Hunter band). And yes, I do know all of the names of the guys in Hunter's band. Overall, I could not have been more pleased with my experience from last night. At the bottom of this post are some of my favorite pictures of the night! 

Until next time, 

A