Last year, I got a really bad ear infection to the point where I didn't even have enough energy to move. After medication and not getting better, it was time too look deeper. I would go to doctor after doctor trying to find out why my lymph nodes would swell up, or why I always sick with the common cold. I was always tired, and I thought that was because I was working two jobs and going to college. But the doctors found out that my thyroid is off, I have a cyst on my thyroid, and we're still determining exactly what is wrong and why its not producing the hormones my body needs.

I remember first hearing that I had thyroid problem, I was in shock. But everything made sense after that. That had to explain why I was always tired, my body ached, I was always cold, my weight would go up and down, I got moody really quick, I would over eat some days and then not be hungry at all others.

But adding two jobs, and school on top of my chronic illness is extremely hard. I am in class all day from 8:30 in the morning on Wednesdays until 8:45 at night with a twenty minute break in between my two last classes, and ten minutes in between classes. I get exhausted half way through the day, and struggle to pay attention, or my whole body hurts sitting in class. Professors usually think I'm lazy or bored until they grade my tests and I get good remarks.

For a while, I let my illness define me. I thought that it was the end, I couldn't have a good job if I'm sick. I failed to realize how lucky I am to wake up everyday blessed and healthy enough to go to school. I have a great support system who knows when I exhausted myself, or when I need an ice pack for my body, or simply just tries to understand and helps me every time I get flare ups.

I may have a chronic illness, but I know that it can be over come.