All in with Althea

Hi all, I hope you are all doing well. I don’t know about you all, but I am stressed. It is over halfway through the semester, and I have so much to do that I am quite literally drowning in schoolwork. I knew coming into this semester that six classes and 18 credit hours while doing my capstone would be no joke, and I am correct. Not only that, but I have been so busy with extracurriculars as well, and I’m sick, which is nothing new, just not great on top of my chaotic school schedule right now. This week has mostly consisted of trying to stay afloat and not hit my breaking point because any minute, I feel like I will snap.  I have the longest to-do list of assignments every day, and I am so behind on so many things, including my Capstone. This week alone, I’ve had two decently sized and important presentations. My strategy right now is just to take it day by day. I truly am just waiting for Thanksgiving Break so that I can finally have a break from school and responsibilities....

This week's post is gonna be a little different as I wasn't really sure what to talk about.  This month being liver awareness month which I know sounds pretty goofy but it gives me some reflection on the past four and a half years. I am not gonna talk about the downfalls of my health that I've mentioned several times over in my blog (but go check those posts out if you want) but this time talk about the triumphs I've achieved throughout college. One thing that I have overcome that would be probably my most prominent struggles I have faced is even attending college. I have probably missed more hours than I can even remember and or think of. That hasn't stopped me from making it through college. My professors here at Ohio Northern have been unbelievably helpful and kind. It is really hard even for many adults to understand and I have received more support than I could ever imagine here at Northern. It is moments like this that makes me think everything happens for a r...

I am so tired, actually, scratch that, I am EXHAUSTED. I know I sound dramatic, but recruitment took everything out of me. It also doesn't help that once again, I got sick at some point during this time. As mentioned several times throughout my blogging journey, I am no stranger to not feeling 100% healthy a lot of the time. I swear it's from a million combinations of potential answers, but meeting so many new people and being constantly surrounded by people, not only in class but also in the recruitment, my immune system was bound to become overwhelmed.  Besides getting sick, recruitment was so much fun! I got to meet and talk to so many amazing people throughout this recruitment season. I love the ONU Greek life community so much, and every girl I've met is so sweet.  Getting sick wasn't the only thing that went wrong for me because that's just my luck. If you know anything about me, I am the most clumsy and uncoordinated person ever! Saturday morning, I was walki...

Welcome back to All In With Althea! I honestly missed being able to update this blog; it's like a visual diary, and I love being able to share my life in this way!  My first week back has been hectic to say the least!  I started out by moving in last Tuesday for Klondike's Crew to help move in the new freshmen here at ONU. After that, I immediately got sick with a fever that night (thanks, chronic illness), but that's nothing I couldn't handle, even though it did still suck. I then just rested up and was back to “better” by Friday. Then, throughout the rest of the week, I was able to adjust back to campus life and get on a consistent schedule. I then had a very busy Sunday. I first went to the Welcome Fest, where all the campus organizations and clubs attend to recruit new members, and I helped out at the Art Club for my friend, since we are working on reviving the club. Later Sunday night, we as a Greek community at Ohio Northern came together to hold Greekpalooza, wh...

     As the semester starts to end like anyone else, I'm looking forward to the summer. I know that it'll be nice to have a break from academics and to work for some money to use the following school year.       Everything has mostly been fine since I got back last Friday. As mentioned I was able to make it to the Greek Olympics. But then my nurse and doctor called me the following Thursday saying some of my typical bloodwork results were not looking so good. So alas I packed up and left Ada again. Thankfully this time I didn't have to be admitted through the emergency department and was able to have my doctors directly admit me which relieved some stress.       Pretty much as soon as I got to the floor they started taking a lot of my blood to run various tests. I also have been attached to fluids to make sure I'm hydrated but walking around with an IV pole is harder than you would think. I have also been taking many additional medi...

     As I said last week life is unexpected even now being three years post-transplant. I am once again back in the hospital after being sick for the last week and a half. I know that this is for the best right now but it sucks and I miss my friends. Not only am I missing my friends but I am missing Greek week as well which I've been looking forward to for a while. Although I am currently stuck in the hospital we still made the best of celebrating my "3rd birthday''. I started the morning like any other day with labs from my IV and taking my meds. But my dad got to stop by and visit for a bit before he headed somewhere to play golf.  Afterward, my mom came by bringing me a giant three-ballon and a 3-year-old birthday card. It was nice to get to spend time with my parents since I wasn't originally going to be home on my liverversary. I also got to see one of my best friends from home since attends Ohio State which isn't too far from Nationwide Children's. Sh...

     Life is unexpected. Especially when you grow up chronically ill. Ever since I was little it's all I can remember from growing up. Missing countless hours of school for various appointments in different clinics, getting blood taken every day for several weeks once, and even missing out on growing and socializing as a kid. All simply because I was too tired to keep up with my peers.       I was born with a genetic condition called Alpha Antitrypsin Deficiency. This mostly affects the Liver and the Lungs. But for my situation, it affected my liver. My liver didn't function the way it was supposed to and to put it simply it means my body didn't make enough of the protein that is supposed to protect the lungs and liver from damage.                           This April marks not only my 3rd anniversary of getting my new liver on the 14th but it happens to be National Do...

       This week starts April which is now my favorite month of the whole year. Even despite the unpredictable weather and school slump many students face at this point in the school year.       What makes April your favorite month? Does it really matter? The short answer is... YES.       April means National Donate Life Month. What is National Donate Life Month?       National Donate Life Month aims to spread awareness of organ, eye, and tissue donation and to honor those who have donated. This national month has been celebrated every year since 2003.      What makes organ donation such a big deal to me is that nearly three years ago I received a new lifesaving liver. I will get more into that for next week's blog post.       What is Donate Life? What do they do?        Donate Life  is the national brand for the cause of donation, uniting the ...