Friends! I have been in the best mood lately! I have many people and things to thank because of my happiness! I would start a list but I am afraid that would bore you. I will save my big "Thank you speech" for when I am rich and famous and get to be in the spotlight (which if you know me.... is the last thing I want to be in). Anyway things have happened and just like that I now know why I have been going through some of the things I have been. Sooo.... if you're ready, I am going to share a long story. Sit back, grab some snacks, and enjoy! (if you have heard this story before, I do apologize)
Almost ten years ago I was in the 6th grade feeling pretty awesome that I was in my last year of Elementary school. The first week flew by, however I got super sick and missed a few days of school because of it. I lost a lot of weight and literally was a walking skeleton. I looked super sick, it was like I was a ghost. The pink in my cheeks was gone, I constantly was going to the bathroom, and always drank water. I felt when I drank the water that someone was sucking it right out of me. My mom was very worried and took me to my doctor. After a physical exam, some blood work, and a finger prick, I was told some very awful news. At that very moment my mom was to drive me to Primary Children's Hospital and take me straight to the E.R. I was eleven. This is not the news you want to hear, really at any time of your life They were explaining to my mom that I had developed a chronic disease called Type I Diabetes. What? I had what? Seriously I had no idea what was going on. Of course I started to cry.My mom was crying pretty hard as we drove up to Salt Lake. I remember sitting in the car being so confused and I literally was in shock. My mom called my family to let them know what was going on. Still I did not understand the severeness of what I was told. As my mom and I slowly walked in the E.R. I was greeted by a team of doctors, nurses, and even my dad was there. They rushed me into a room and laid me on a table. At this point I had to go to the bathroom again, and felt super sick. My doctor calmed me down and had me laughing in no time. I felt so cool, I got to have an I.V put in... first time! After that my wonderful Daddy and caring Uncle Roger, gave me the best Priesthood blessing. I don't remember all that was said but I do remember that they blessed me to carry on with my life with my heart full of joy and that nothing would bring me down if I kept my focus on my Heavenly Father. I felt much better after that.
I was then taken to another room where I learned what was really going on. I was told that when they tested my blood sugar, it was 891 mg/dL. I learned that this was because my pancreas had shut down and that the beta cells in my body were no longer producing insulin, which balances out the glucose in my body. This is why I felt super sick and was dehydrated and lost so much weight. After a week of staying in the hospital and learning how to take shots, test my blood sugar, and tricks to make it easy, I was a bit overwhelmed. I thought, "Why me!" I had no idea how this moment in my life would help put me on a path to guide me in the direction of where I needed to be right now. I often felt like this was a punishment and usually felt remorse of even surviving. It was hard, real hard at times. However, I never let it get to me. I thought of it as a blessing in disguise.
Over the first few years of having this disease I was able to go to a youth diabetes camp, where I met many great people. I became very close to my doctor and my nurse. Because of this relationship we shared, I was given many opportunities to help others who are going through the same as I was. I was able to be in a huge research on how this disease can change throughout the years of adolescence. I loved doing this, but again was confused on why I was chosen to be in it. Later, I was referred to be a Camp Counselor at Diabetes Clubhouse for four years in a row. Wow! This was such a neat experience. I met little kids as young as three who were struggling with diabetes. I learned how to help make these kids understand their importance and give them hope for their future. I was able to become close with these kids and watched them grow as they came back each summer. Little did I know that I was meant to do this to help me with my future endeavors.
While in the process of deciding on which college to go to, I was very confused, because many schools offered great, great programs. I prayed and prayed for an answer, and finally one day it came. I received a Top Ten Scholarship for the University of Utah. Ah-ha my first step to understanding. When I first started college I was a Health Promotion Major, but I had no idea what I was going to do. Time and time again things pointed to same direction... Community Health. I sat down with my counselor and after talking with her, I had a better idea of what I wanted to do. I applied for my major and then I took a leap of faith and prayed that this was the right thing to be doing. Sure enough, within three days of applying, I was accepted. Second step to understanding. Once I was accepted, I went through many wonderful trials to help me understand what I needed to do. One thing I knew to be true, I loved helping others, I find it comforting to help others understand steps they need to take to better their lives. I was able to help make nutrition plans for various people who are very close to me. Third step to understanding. Going through my classes during Fall Semester things came easy to me and I loved what they introduced to me. Fourth step to understanding. My counselor is very good at sending out any internship/volunteer work via my Umail. I received this one email about the Juvenile Diabetes Walk Internship. I didn't know much about it, so I started to do some research. I fell in love with the program they were implementing. So... I applied. A few days later I received great news that they wanted to interview me. there were many applicants, but they wanted to narrow it down. I felt super good about what I was about to do. So after a few re-scheduled times because of the snow, I finally had a set day on my interview. I went in and was very nervous. As I met the Director of JDRF and the Manager of Special Events, ironically I became very calm. They were just talking to me and wanted to get to know me. After about 15 min of talking they informed me that they wanted me on their team. I was one out of four interns who got it! I was thrilled! Step five to understanding!!!!
I will be an advocate for the Kids Walk for Diabetes. I will go around Salt Lake County to different schools helping building awareness about both types of diabetes. These kids will have the opportunity to understand how crucial this information is and how valuable the money will be for this foundation. I am so so so excited to do this. I know that the things in my life have led up to this point. I finally will be doing something I have strong passion for. So... Let's get walking... For the cure! I love it! Friends Heavenly Father is aware of your needs and will help you get and stay on the right pathway. I have a strong testimony that things will work out and this is where I am supposed to be! I love it!
GO FORTH AND DO!
Almost ten years ago I was in the 6th grade feeling pretty awesome that I was in my last year of Elementary school. The first week flew by, however I got super sick and missed a few days of school because of it. I lost a lot of weight and literally was a walking skeleton. I looked super sick, it was like I was a ghost. The pink in my cheeks was gone, I constantly was going to the bathroom, and always drank water. I felt when I drank the water that someone was sucking it right out of me. My mom was very worried and took me to my doctor. After a physical exam, some blood work, and a finger prick, I was told some very awful news. At that very moment my mom was to drive me to Primary Children's Hospital and take me straight to the E.R. I was eleven. This is not the news you want to hear, really at any time of your life They were explaining to my mom that I had developed a chronic disease called Type I Diabetes. What? I had what? Seriously I had no idea what was going on. Of course I started to cry.My mom was crying pretty hard as we drove up to Salt Lake. I remember sitting in the car being so confused and I literally was in shock. My mom called my family to let them know what was going on. Still I did not understand the severeness of what I was told. As my mom and I slowly walked in the E.R. I was greeted by a team of doctors, nurses, and even my dad was there. They rushed me into a room and laid me on a table. At this point I had to go to the bathroom again, and felt super sick. My doctor calmed me down and had me laughing in no time. I felt so cool, I got to have an I.V put in... first time! After that my wonderful Daddy and caring Uncle Roger, gave me the best Priesthood blessing. I don't remember all that was said but I do remember that they blessed me to carry on with my life with my heart full of joy and that nothing would bring me down if I kept my focus on my Heavenly Father. I felt much better after that.
I was then taken to another room where I learned what was really going on. I was told that when they tested my blood sugar, it was 891 mg/dL. I learned that this was because my pancreas had shut down and that the beta cells in my body were no longer producing insulin, which balances out the glucose in my body. This is why I felt super sick and was dehydrated and lost so much weight. After a week of staying in the hospital and learning how to take shots, test my blood sugar, and tricks to make it easy, I was a bit overwhelmed. I thought, "Why me!" I had no idea how this moment in my life would help put me on a path to guide me in the direction of where I needed to be right now. I often felt like this was a punishment and usually felt remorse of even surviving. It was hard, real hard at times. However, I never let it get to me. I thought of it as a blessing in disguise.
Over the first few years of having this disease I was able to go to a youth diabetes camp, where I met many great people. I became very close to my doctor and my nurse. Because of this relationship we shared, I was given many opportunities to help others who are going through the same as I was. I was able to be in a huge research on how this disease can change throughout the years of adolescence. I loved doing this, but again was confused on why I was chosen to be in it. Later, I was referred to be a Camp Counselor at Diabetes Clubhouse for four years in a row. Wow! This was such a neat experience. I met little kids as young as three who were struggling with diabetes. I learned how to help make these kids understand their importance and give them hope for their future. I was able to become close with these kids and watched them grow as they came back each summer. Little did I know that I was meant to do this to help me with my future endeavors.
While in the process of deciding on which college to go to, I was very confused, because many schools offered great, great programs. I prayed and prayed for an answer, and finally one day it came. I received a Top Ten Scholarship for the University of Utah. Ah-ha my first step to understanding. When I first started college I was a Health Promotion Major, but I had no idea what I was going to do. Time and time again things pointed to same direction... Community Health. I sat down with my counselor and after talking with her, I had a better idea of what I wanted to do. I applied for my major and then I took a leap of faith and prayed that this was the right thing to be doing. Sure enough, within three days of applying, I was accepted. Second step to understanding. Once I was accepted, I went through many wonderful trials to help me understand what I needed to do. One thing I knew to be true, I loved helping others, I find it comforting to help others understand steps they need to take to better their lives. I was able to help make nutrition plans for various people who are very close to me. Third step to understanding. Going through my classes during Fall Semester things came easy to me and I loved what they introduced to me. Fourth step to understanding. My counselor is very good at sending out any internship/volunteer work via my Umail. I received this one email about the Juvenile Diabetes Walk Internship. I didn't know much about it, so I started to do some research. I fell in love with the program they were implementing. So... I applied. A few days later I received great news that they wanted to interview me. there were many applicants, but they wanted to narrow it down. I felt super good about what I was about to do. So after a few re-scheduled times because of the snow, I finally had a set day on my interview. I went in and was very nervous. As I met the Director of JDRF and the Manager of Special Events, ironically I became very calm. They were just talking to me and wanted to get to know me. After about 15 min of talking they informed me that they wanted me on their team. I was one out of four interns who got it! I was thrilled! Step five to understanding!!!!
I will be an advocate for the Kids Walk for Diabetes. I will go around Salt Lake County to different schools helping building awareness about both types of diabetes. These kids will have the opportunity to understand how crucial this information is and how valuable the money will be for this foundation. I am so so so excited to do this. I know that the things in my life have led up to this point. I finally will be doing something I have strong passion for. So... Let's get walking... For the cure! I love it! Friends Heavenly Father is aware of your needs and will help you get and stay on the right pathway. I have a strong testimony that things will work out and this is where I am supposed to be! I love it!
GO FORTH AND DO!
Comments
Post a Comment