OT- Graduation and my plans

[Guest guest]

Hi all-

Just thought I would share that I graduated this last weekend from UCSD

(University of California- San Diego) with my BA in Human Development and a

minor in Psychology.

I moved back home with my mom which makes her happy and me... well, it's a

time of transition, etc. I am continuing my independent research on Body

Image and Disability. I will also continue my work as able at the UCSD

Cancer Center working on articles for the Juvenile Scleroderma Newsletter

and working with my advisor/mentor there Dr. Malcarne (psychologist who does

a lot of research with health issues such as Scleroderma).

I'm looking around for jobs but not wholeheartedly since I will be preparing

to take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) and applying to graduate programs in

Counseling and Clinical Psychology in the Fall for next year. I know all of

this will be a full time job not to mention exhausting but exciting too.

In terms of my health, all is the same ole. My JRA/FMS is causing me a lot

of pain. I have been in Physical therapy over the last couple months which

is helping add strength but pain is still a major issue for me. I'm having

breathing issues with the humidity that has come here and is unusual but so

far my doctor is keeping me off prednisone. I have been swimming some over

the past week which is refreshing.

One of my good friends is having a hard time. She has Lupus and was very

very ill many years ago. Her disease became very quiet however, just

recently, she was in the hospital as it has come back out with angst. She is

having major kidney issues again and must go back on chemo. I used to go

with her when she got Cytoxan many years ago. I feel sad for her and others

that I think about. I know many are doing well with these diseases but for

those that aren't, it's hard. I spent many years doing work with the

Arthritis Foundation (running a support group for teens, being a contact for

newly diagnosed families, juvenile arthritis camp, committee's and so on).

Over the years, it all became overwhelming and I finally closed that chapter

of my life. Today, I was unpacking boxes that have been sitting in my closet

for a long time filled with information, trainings, workshops involving

Juvenile Rheumatic Diseases. Wow, it's hard to believe how long I have been

a part of all of this, not with just having the disease but just how

involved I was with the AF and doing things to try and help others like

myself. It's hard to shred and discard so much of these materials but I

don't have the space and it has been many years. Still, in the process, I

see names of people who I was in contact with and part of along with

pictures and many faces of children with these diseases. It makes me laugh

and cry all at the same time with all of the memories, good and bad.

Anyways, right now, life is kind of tossed into the air, or maybe I should

say my future. I am very tired but determined. The illness has taken a toll

at times on my spirit and the unknown adds greater anxiety for me but I know

that I can't just hide forever... lol.

So yay, I graduated... finally.... and I have more to go in time.... I am in

preparation stage for the next part of my goals but feeling a little sad

regarding the past and little pieces of myself that have been lost in my

present being.

Okay.... well, just thought I would share a bit...

Issadora (JRA- 5; FMS- 7; age 28)

--

" I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint. "

--Frida Kahlo