Its Summer!

So, I just realized that I actually haven't blogged in kind of a while, which I guess you could say is a good thing because not much has happened that is drastic. I finished my first semester of nursing school last week!! yay!! And now this week I started my three week Statistics class that is Monday - Friday from 9am until 12pm. It's kind of a pain in the ass (no pun intended), but it's one of my last pre-reqs I need to finish so I thought it would be best to just knock it out in three weeks.

I also found out that I got accepted to be a volunteer camp counselor at Camp Oasis this summer! This is a camp that CCFA (Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America) has created for children who have Inflammatory Bowel Disease and want to be a normal kid in a safe and supportive environment.  I applied a while ago and have been eager to hear whether I got the position or not. More than 60 people applied for the positions and I was chosen to be one of the 28 counselors! It is going to be an amazing experience working with children with Crohn's diesase and Ulcerative colitis. They have 24 hour nursing and mental health specialists for the kids too. We will be doing the usual camp activities like swimming, land and water sports, high ropes course and visual and performing arts. I'm also happy about this opportunity because I have never been a camp counselor before! Ever since my first surgery (which was almost 10 months ago now), I told myself I would do whatever I can to help others who suffer from such a terrible life changing disease and I think that this is a step in the right direction for me.

Here's an awesome little video about Camp Oasis!

Now a little update on my J-Pouch life.... 
My wound finally closed up about 3 weeks ago!!! I just have a little purple scar on my abdomen that I am so happy to show to people and I love so much! I also started working out a lot more and even though I started back from the way beginning (due to having surgeries, it completely made me lose muscle and stamina on working out) I am feeling so great with what I am doing and I have had no problems with pain in my abdomen or anything. I still have had NO problems with eating anything or drinking anything in particular. I also still probably go about 6 times a day... give or take, which is NORMAL for someone with a jpouch! I also am still NOT TAKING ANY MEDICATIONS anymore which has been my number one goal from the beginning of my diagnosis. Life has been so so so great with my jpouch so far.

I cant wait to finally have a summer where I am healthy and worry free about my disease. The past two summers have been extremely hard and full of pain and sadness for me, and I cant wait to make great memories living in Chicago for the first time in the summer and spending my 4th and final summer working at Independence Grove Forest Preserve.

Cheers to health and happiness!

-- JKL