I have
hesitated to share the last month or so of exciting news with extended family
and Facebook but can no longer hold out. For the deck of cards I’ve been dealt,
it feels like its all magically working out. Less than six months ago I was
intent on returning to Iowa, but unfortunately due to my new status as a
transfer student lost all my scholarships.
I simultaneously was going through
the motions to be a CSU student, and as you all know wound up at CSU. I have
absolutely loved my time at CSU and look forward to the coming years as a Ram. Diane
Burton (an honors admin) gave me individualized advising before I even met with
my advisor. Pending an end of the semester gpa above a 3.5 I will be applying
for the Microbiology Honors program at CSU with full support from the honors administration
and my current professors. I am excited to share this fall my tuition cost will
be completely covered by grants and scholarships as well.
As of a week before spring break I
accepted the position to be an RA this fall starting in August (most likely
under an incredible Resident Director). When I went through what is called our
ExCELS course, I had accidently forgotten my trach cap for the day so I started
my introduction with “Hi I’m Jules, I have a trach and normally its capped but
I forgot it. . .so you’re going to see me put my finger on my neck a lot. I
have health stuff, I’m super open about it and happy to answer questions.” A
few minutes later my RD running the session shared that she too has health stuff
and how that would impact our day. We had a conversation about what it might
look like for me to be an RA and we’re both confident I will be successful.
Don’t worry I’m still nervous as
all get out about how this is all going to work out too. I have also accepted a
position as an EMT to volunteer a few weekends working with seriously ill kids,
and two weeks of volunteering as an add on this summer of fulltime fun.
How is my health you might ask? I
haven’t been epi free, but I have been hospitalization free for 31 days. I am
back on my full dose of Xolair and expect complete remission from my mast cell mediated
issues over the coming months. I have gotten official word that I will start
Strensiq (the enzyme replacement therapy for my bones that relatives have known
about for awhile) on May 11th in the Immunologist’s office. We will
know within a year how that is going and if it is making the difference we hope
to see. In the mean time my biology tutor loves using my medical history as fun
facts to get her middle schoolers to pay attention. I love that she is
spreading awareness with a very attentive generation.
Finally tomorrow I take my national
registry exam to hopefully recertify for the 3rd time. If I don’t
pass tomorrows exam I will have a month to accumulate my CE hours, and I will
still have time after that grace period wise to recertify nationally. Here is
to hoping one more thing goes my way.
Life has ups and downs and I’ve been
incredibly blessed by my professors, departments, friends and family to make my
dreams of continuing my education at CSU a reality.
PS I am incredibly thankful for the friends, professors, TAs,
family etc that have made this possible whether it be getting me to the hospital
when I’ve broken a bone, bringing benedryl to me so I don’t have to leave
tutoring, helping me deal with harder moments or our frequent karaoke nights to
destress. Your support has made it possible for me to get this far. 6 weeks
left of the semester!
