The Medical Dorm

            We are both college students, and in college we have had both good and bad professors.  Some professors are amazing, while others make you want to hide in your room and never leave your bed.  Sadly, we have had a few of those in the later category.  We decided today to discuss some memorable quotes from professors in both of those categories.  We are not doing this to be cruel, and we are not including any names, or descriptions.  We are doing this to show how tough college can be for those with chronic illnesses. THE WORST:             These are some things that were said to us over the past few years.  While not all sound rude, or insensitive at first, the meaning behind them are not great.   “It’s so nice that everybody here [in this class] is healthy” The first thing you have to know about our class is that multip...

Having a service dog live in the dorm is something that has NEVER happened on our college campus before.  As one professor stated, Nemo is the “trailblazer,” but being the trailblazer can come at a cost. One cost is that almost everybody in the dorm is afraid to ask about the dog because they think it is a hostage situation and that I am hiding him from the RAs. If that were true I would be doing a TERRIBLE job. My door has a picture of the dog as well as a beware of my friendly dog sign. Similarly, the first thing I did when moving into the dorm was introduce the dog to both RA’s. He got his own name tag (Thanks RAs). Similarly, I take him to every class so every teacher (I have) also knows that he is on campus. Items you need to successfully keep a dog in your dorm room. A crate - Sometimes you just have to. For example, if I have to go to fieldwork, I need a place to leave him. Also, it gives him a place to call his own. Now, he doesn’t sleep in there, but...

              I am officially back at school and so is secret agent puppy. He has taken to college life like a pro, although he was raised on a college campus so he really is a pro. Aside from everybody loving him because he is cute, fun loving, and a dog, he does a lot everyday to earn his spot. While people think  am taking my dog because I felt like getting a pet, the truth is, he is the reason I got to come back from medical leave and can go to class.  He has always proven how valuable he is and this week has been no different, in fact he has even stepped it up a notch. I think he knows without my mom I will try to break the rules (he is having none of it).              When I drop something he picks them up because I can't. He braces when my heart rate spikes and I could pass out. He lays across me when my joints hurt to provide warmth and pressure. He tells me when I forget my pills which is good unle...

Now, if you have been on our blog before, you know that we are college students, and often talk about college life. Today, we decided to do that once again. Specifically, addressing somethings people often do not think of when in college. When you are chronically ill, some things just become a part of your everyday life.  Now, I’m not talking about pills, appointments, or restrictions.  I’m talking about the attitudes, and behavior changes.  I can’t tell you how many times Nemo and I have texted, or told each other how determined we are to get something done.  We have had multiple pep talks about graduating, and getting our degrees.  Going in depth about how we are going to let NOTHING stand in our way.  How our future is ours to make, and that we won’t let the doubters, or the administration get in our way.  To summarize the texts, it’s a lot of we can do this, and responses of hell yeah we can.        ...

                                                                              Even though I have spent a year on medical leave, I have been incredibly lucky. This year would have been much harder had I faced it alone, but I didn’t have to. A year ago I first met secret agent puppy. The most nerve-wracking time was flying across country to meet him for the first time. I was so anxious, worried that he wouldn’t like me, worried that his trainers wouldn’t like me. I wanted this to work so badly, because I desperately needed him more than anybody knew.             I have been fighting with my conditions for the past twenty-three years and it gets tiring. There are days where it would be so easy to give up, and feeling alone...