All in with Althea

     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 ...