Life Update!

So school has been tough. I've been trying to get through all my major science courses and it's all going okay... But....

I got accepted into North Park's Nursing Program for fall 2015! I was really hoping to get in for the Spring, but hey this is better than nothing at all. I can't wait to finally start my clinicals and looking more into hopefully becoming an IBD nurse. All I want to do is interact and reach out to people who have these diseases and be able to connect with them. Even though it would've been great to start in the Spring, I think everything happens for a reason. I mean I DO have two more surgeries I am getting next semester and even though I would be able to manage, I'm sure it would be a lot to handle. This way I can start my nursing classes, UC free and ostomy free in the fall!!

Another thing I am very excited about is, I was asked to write my story about living with an ostomy in college for an online IBD magazine called Companion Magazine for IBD. They are coming out with a holiday issue and Brooke (the girl I talked about who is so inspirational to me) is the editor of it and when I told her I would love to help out in any way I could, she reply by asking to do a "spotlight story" about me. Like I said, my goal is to just share my story and inform people about the IBD community in any way I can!

Here's the link....

http://companionibd.com

The issue should be out hopefully around December and I will most likely be sharing that as soon as I see it.

Thanks again to everyone who has given me support and following my story. It means the world to me 

-- JKL

Strive to inspire

Today was one of those days....

I threw myself a pity party, yes. I have been really sick with bronchitis since I've gotten out of the hospital and it just has gotten so bad. I began to think after some time "why me?" I try not to ask myself that question, because there isn't a clear answer. I could ask that about my UC and about my surgery and about everything I've been through and ask "why me why me why me!?" UC is not something that I would ever want, but in a way I'm glad I got it. When I have days like today, where I get frustrated and cry about little things, it makes it so much easier to take a step back and realize what's important in life. My UC has made me love and enjoy the little things in life. The smallest things make my day everyday and it's all thanks to my UC. 

I also wanted to post about the two people who helped me through the surgery process without even knowing it. The first person I recently thanked was the amazing Nurse I had before my surgery. I just had recently sent her a thank you message on FB for believing in me and showing me that the colectomy surgery isn't a scary thing. I also finally just got the courage to reach out to a fellow IBDer who inspired me to get the surgery as well. When I was laying in the hospital crying about maybe getting the surgery, I decided to look up blogs about it and what people said. I came across a girl named Brooke's blog and it automatically reminded me of myself. The thing was.... She was so positive and inspirational about UC and IBD and her ostomy. This past weekend I sent Brooke an email, a girl I have never met, a thank you letter for being so inspirational. when I was writing it, I couldn't help it but tears were pouring down my face. I know when she opened that email up, she must have felt a feeling that I hope I will feel some day. 

I want to share my story and my life with people so one day, when someone is debating what to do about getting surgery, they will come across my blog and be inspired as well. That's why I was given UC, to inspire people and to reach out to my fellow IBDers.

I will be applying to the Camp Oasis next summer to be a volunteer staff member for kids who suffer from colitis and Crohn's. Nothing would make me happier than to share moments with people who have the same daily struggles as I do. 

I just want to make a difference. I want to inspire. And I will.

--JKL

Happy Ostomy

It's World Ostomy Awareness Day!!!  

I never thought in a million years I would ever post a picture of my ostomy. But it saved my life and I am so happy I got the surgery.