Invisible Disease Awareness Day is Coming Up!!!

June 6th is Invisible Disease Awareness Day! This is the day to spread as much awareness as possible. Tell your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers...everyone!! It is important to spread awareness because so many medical conditions, such as POTS, are glanced over and may not be taken seriously. Doctors need to realize that these conditions are real, and are not created by the patient. They are real symptoms with real effects on patients' lives.

If we spread more awareness, more research will get done. More patients will be properly diagnosed and given appropriate treatments. More patients won't have to live in fear of the unknown. More people will simply understand.

Spread awareness by posting on Facebook, handing out flyers or ribbons, and just talk! With more awareness comes more progress. Progress is what we need to help all of the individuals that are struggling with these "invisible" medical conditions. Share these videos and websites below! :)



Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ9bv7jx-Ls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQpAYCzGAC8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAlwBI9Kero



Websites:

http://www.dinet.org/pots_an_overview.htm

http://www.dynainc.org/

http://www.dynakids.org/Documents/Educating_the_Dysautonomia_Student.pdf

http://butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf

http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Grades_of_orthostatic_intolerance_a81.html

Studying, Relaxing, and Hoping

My routine now consists of:
-studying for the GRE because I want to apply to graduate schools :)
-relaxing because my brain is overactive and needs to chill so that I feel better
-hoping that the jobs I applied to for the summer reply back to my application materials

Schools that I am looking into are ones that have well-rounded programs in neuroscience. I would love to major in neuroscience and develop a better understanding of the brain and body connection. It would be amazing if I could be accepted into a school that allows me to research more into the nervous system and the relationship it has to POTS. :)

I am hoping and wishing that I do well on the GRE test this summer when I decide to take it so that my options for choosing a school will not be so limited. The acceptance rates to some of the universities that I would love to be accepted to are so small, so if I could test well on the GRE, then my chances will (hopefully) be stronger. I am looking into applying to:

-Loyola University in Chicago
-Vanderbilt University in Nashville
-Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago
-Northwestern University in Chicago
-Brown University in Rhode Island
-University of Wisconsin in Madison
-The Ohio State University in Columbus
-University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
-Duke University in North Carolina

I am very excited to be going through the process of applying to jobs and getting ready to apply to graduate programs! I did not think this would be possible last year...but thanks to the POTS Treatment Center, my mom who always motivates me, and the hard work, I will be able to reach new heights and accomplish new goals! :)

Quite a long time since I've updated...

Summa Cum Laude

Sorry for such the long wait for an update! I have been busy...graduating college!!! I graduated in December with my Bachelor of Science degree. I graduated Summa Cum Laude, which is amazing considering the long, difficult road it has been due to POTS. But, I made it. Honors and all! I am blessed! I was nominated for Homecoming Queen this past fall too. Although I did not win, I did represent my all-female residence hall as its Homecoming Queen! It was such an honor!

Not only did I graduate, but I also went to Dallas, Texas to the POTS Treatment Center in late February and again in April. It was an amazing experience!! Two weeks of following the program and training, and I was able to feel 75% better!!

I was nominated for Homecoming Queen too!

Because of the second time I went to Dallas, and the home portion of the program, I feel about 85% better now! I am not really POTSy anymore!!!! When I stand up, my heart rate is about 98 bpm, compared to the 165 bpm from the past!! It seems like magic! Through biofeedback, diet, exercise, supplements, and reduced medications, I am able to function close to a "normal" person! I can even rigorously exercise for 45 minutes a day! The team at the POTS Treatment Center are certainly angels! They gave me tools so that I can get my life back! 

I am hoping to decrease more of my medications in the next few months! I am also in the process of applying to graduate school to pursue a degree in neuroscience. I have started applying to summer jobs too! That is something I did not think I would be saying last year :) I'm so glad to be feeling so much better!!!!

Check out my video testimonials of the POTS Treatment Center at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIpw11zx8lI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KkLitrN0CM