Hospital Stay 02/29/2020 - 03/06/2020

Obviously, I have always known my lungs are way different from a healthy person. But the way I have lived my life since I was 8 has caused me to neglect my disease. I never took it seriously, because I just did not know. For years I almost never did breathing treatments or chest therapy like I am supposed to. I was always told everything was "as needed" and in my stubborn teenage brain of course I thought "oh I don't need to do that, I feel fine". Those years of neglect caught up to me recently, and gave me a hell of a reality check. I am 21 now and currently a junior in college with dreams of going to Physical Therapy school. On February 29th 2020, I was having a completely normal night. My friends and I were watching a movie and having a chill night together. All of the sudden, I started to cough up blood. Not just a little bit either, it was a very concerning amount. My friends rushed me to the ER and my family came immediately.

After many days in the hospital it was figured out that I had a terrible lung infection due to lack of maintenance. I was probably brewing this infection for months, but had no idea. My whole life, I have felt so sick, that it is my new normal. Feeling well is so unfamiliar, I couldn't recognize this lung infection that landed me in the hospital for a week. This episode was an eye opener for me and has given me an opportunity to learn more about myself and my disease.

My parents always taught me to stay positive. Although it can be hard to find the upside to your situation, there is always something. This hospital trip showed me to grow up and start taking care of myself. I am on a strict regimen now of daily breathing treatments and chest therapy. I feel a lot happier now and I feel like for the first time in my life, I can breathe. The journey is not over, but I am excited to see what happens next.

#Weekend #Fun #Saturday