Everyone is excited about going to college, you're finally free, being able to do everything you've ever dreamed about, you get to experience the first football game, meet some of the best friends you'll ever find and so SO much more. I know that I was so fortunate meeting new friends (and even my now boyfriend) my very first night at NDSU. I knew this was the place for me. I was on top of the world, until I stepped foot in the student health care center. Since May 2016 I hadn't been feeling right but being the hypochondriac I am, my parents just told me to brush it off.

I had gone home Labor Day weekend to work at the MN state fair and upon seeing me my dad suggested I go to the doctor. I wasn’t too worried because I was a big bad college kid now, nothing would stop me. It was a Tuesday and the doctor looked at me and told me I looked pale and insisted on doing a complete blood workup. Fast forward to Thursday, I was eating breakfast before heading to my anthropology class and I got a call. The doctor from the student health center was calling to tell me my hemoglobin was 5.8.

I had no idea what this meant but the tone in her voice was unnerving, she told me she had a consultation set up for me the next week. I called my parents and they were up to Fargo within three hours (it takes four to get from my hometown to Fargo). Right when they saw the blood results and my odd pale yellow skin, I was rushed to the emergency room. Within 20 minutes I was getting my first of two blood transfusions. Throughout the next few days I had gotten multiple tests resulting in them diagnosing me with Ulcerative Colitis. I had no idea what that was and I didn’t think it was anything major, not knowing that it would completely alter my life.

Ulcerative Colitis is inflammation of the large intestine causing a lot of annoying side effects. It is known as an Irritated Bowel Disease (IBD) and causes anemia, severe pain, hair loss, joint pain among a plethora of other gruel side effects. Due to this disease and inability to manage it I had to withdraw from NDSU in my first semester. I was devastated to leave my newfound friends and life up in Fargo.

Since then I have been hospitalized once and have spent many hours in and out of the emergency room as well as my doctors’ offices. I was on top of the world and I didn’t think anything would get in my way of being a typical college kid, but I have had to make detours around many ordinary tasks. I have learned that this is my life now and I have to take it with a grain of salt and make it the best I can. I have learned so much through this six-month journey so far and I have unbelievable support from all my friends and family. I could not be more thankful. To anyone who is reading I just want to say that you will have your highs and your lows in life, but you must learn to never give up and NEVER take your health for granted.