posted
hi guys! I haven't posted on here for a few months--been very very busy applying for colleges. I went with my instincts and applied to schools all over the country, because although my llmd is here, I badly need to leave KC.
Because of this, however, it feels like I'm flying by the seat of my pants. My top choice college is in Maine (I live in MO!), and I've applied to colleges in Boston, California, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
I'll hear from six of the eight schools I applied to in APRIL, including my top choice, but two weeks ago I received my first ACCEPTANCE letter from the college in Nebraska, the closest college to home. Not only did I get in, but they offered me a merit scholarship and a spot in the Honors Program!! So now I have a safety net of a school that I'd be happy to attend if all else fails.
The reason I'm babbling on like this is just because two years ago TODAY I first came down with the lyme symptoms. Only a few months ago I was still bed-bound, and now I'M IN COLLEGE!! It's just such an amazing feeling, I just can't describe it. After I got my letter, my mom and I just hugged for like 5 minutes, and we both said "the nightmare is over". I feel so proud and happy right now, I just had to share it with people who'd really appreciate what this means..
ps-the admissions director of this college included an individually sealed, handwritten letter expressing her awe at my perserverence. It was touching coming from this person who doesn't even know me, to understand all the hard battles I've fought to get to this point.
"Thank you, Oh Lord, for giving me the power to control my pain" Posts: 59 | From Missouri | Registered: Sep 2006
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Congratulations! Getting into college is a wonderful achievement for anyone. You have done it despite incredible challenges.
You will be able to bring a wisdom to many of your classes that will be beyond other students your age. I'm sure you will be a good Lyme ambassador, helping educate others about prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Good luck and have fun! Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Way to go strongerangel
good luck & stay healthy & happy
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
Congatulations Strongerangel!!!
This is quite an achievement.
May this be the first of many acceptance letters... and I am sure it will be.
posted
That is SOOOO awesome, Em!!!! Can't say enough about it! Yes, do tell us what you will be studying!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Congratulations! What wonderful news!!!!
I remember you mentioning applying to school. I'm sure more will be rolling in now.
-Aniek
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Horray strongerangel! Congratulations!
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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I'm definitely going pre-med! I've been a patient for so long, and have seen my share of doctors-both wonderful and awful. It's time for me to get in the other side of the ring. I'll always remember my experiences, and you can bet I'll remember them when I get those patients who are sicker than dogs with no visible symptoms. I want to diagnose those invisible and "rare" diseases that slip through the nets of the regular mds.
Oh yeah--If I get truly down on my luck, my llmd has already offered me a job. Sure, there are at least 8 yrs before I'll be qualified, but it's nice to dream.
It makes me light-headed to even think about how much the medical profession needs more doctors who think like patients, not like businessmen.
-------------------- -Em
"Thank you, Oh Lord, for giving me the power to control my pain" Posts: 59 | From Missouri | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Oh yeah--one day I will be creating a Lyme scholarship fund. There is absolutely nothing out there yet that I can find, which is understandable but more than annoying for someone whose family's depleted every penny of savings for lyme treatment.
-------------------- -Em
"Thank you, Oh Lord, for giving me the power to control my pain" Posts: 59 | From Missouri | Registered: Sep 2006
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Congratulations -- and thank you for sharing your happy news!
I hope that you may be the doctor that helps find a cure years from now!
posted
This as great news. Congratulations on your accomplishment. Now hurry up and get through school and get those LLMD initials after your name. We need you! hats
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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pmerv
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1504
posted
I don't know how healthy you are at this point, but if there is any doubt, you might choose the close to home college for the first year or two, just to be close to your LLMD and home, and then transfer. You'll have a better idea in 2 years what you want in a school, and you can get some of the basics out of the way at a cheaper price. Just an idea.
-------------------- Phyllis Mervine LymeDisease.org Posts: 1808 | From Ukiah, California, USA | Registered: Aug 2001
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I agree that I should probably stay near home, because my health is still fairly fragile (I'm averaging around 40% attendance at school-still maintaining A's though).
As much as I'd love to go to Maine, being so many states away from my home and doctor is a very risky proposition..
thanks again for all your support!!
-------------------- -Em
"Thank you, Oh Lord, for giving me the power to control my pain" Posts: 59 | From Missouri | Registered: Sep 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
angel, em; congratulations! i'm tickled to death for you! a scholorship, and then a personal handwritten letter from admissions director! WOW!
frame that letter; have it on every wall where you live to keep you insprired!
i can't wait to hear we have another GOOD LLMD, EM _______!! boy, do we need you, and your sharing your lyme experiences to colleagues OPENING THEIR CLOSED MINDS TO CHRONIC LYME.
i too recommend being close to home for now until you get your health established! stress of leaving home/college are a huge adjustment for normal folks; not sick folks like we chronic lymies.
but if ANYONE CAN DO IT, IT IS YOU EM! you go girl! we're so proud of you and for sharing your news!
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
tutu, love it!!
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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