I'm wondering if there is anyone else going through this struggle like me? I'm just going to vent a little, I hope that's okay.
I just graduated high school yesterday! And I'm off to college in less than 2 months. Yay! Exciting times. But oh so stressful. All of my best friends are telling me about their struggles in transitioning to college (being away from home, having to be independent, money issues etc) and I have the exact same struggles PLUS that of lupus -_- its stressing me out. I'm taking all of the necessary steps but yet things aren't working out exactly. The biggest stressor is that my insurance doesn't transfer over to where I'm going to uni (though it is still in state) and its just making things a heck of a lot more difficult.
I see doctors every 3 weeks so now it seems as though I'll be having to travel home every 3 weeks to see all my specialists and my primary care since Im not eligible to get them out there :/. And lol thats a 12 hour commute in one day, potentially. I just had a really bad flare up so my rheumy is not comfortable with not watching me super closely until at least Im off the prednisone. This is so muchhhh. Just wishing I didnt have to think about my health for every little thing that comes up in like. But I do sooo yeah.
You would thin 4 years with lupus would be enough time to get used to all of this. Lol. Yeah... no. Grr.
If I were u I'd go to school closer to home & your doctors. Stress really is bad for Lupus. Until you get your Lupus under control you really need to decrease your stress. I know it's difficult when your young & want to get on with your life but you need to think of your health. I had to decrease my hrs @ work because I was constantly flaring up, going to hospital. It took me a long time to realize I had to slow down, get 8 hrs sleep, have good nutrition & follow my Rheumatologist orders. I'm down to 6 mg of Prednisone from 60-1,000 mg & finally in remission. Good Luck to u...
Thank you guys. It does have a great student health center (so I've been told, I haven't experienced it myself yet obviously). And I am pretty sure its too late to attend a college closer to home (at least for this year).
Ah, that will be the next thing I do. I hadn't considered the special needs director. Because I'm sure there are plenty of people before me who've been through this. Thanks!
As an educator, I suggest that you stay close to home. You can take your core courses for two years and then transfer. That gives you time to get things under control. Most colleges also offer some undergrad courses online and/or combination courses (classes that do not meet every day/week). Online courses offer more flexibility. You have to make the best decision for you! Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you have a strong support system in place and find out about the accommodations that are offered.
Congrats on graduating ! You have received a lot of great advice from the lupus pros as I call them. I was a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for 30 yrs. it is very important that you contact the special needs coordinator at the university as you had been told by others great advice. I would also encourage you to contact your state agency that has a vocational rehabilitation program ,you may qualify for some financial help for college. I agree with the others on seriously taking care of yourself first and calming your lupus down. Please consider going to a junior college or school closer to home and maybe take less hours the first semester. Good luck to you! Dreams can come true with what is best for you!
I'm currently a rising senior at college and I just got done my first year with lupus. I was diagnosed back in June 2012. With the others recommending the special services, I agree with them. At my school there is a disability resource center and I just filled out paper works and went to meet with the advisor there to talk about the accommodations you might need. For me, the Disability center gave me a contract that I would give to my professor to sign, letting them know that you have an illness. You don't have to discuss with them if your dont want to, but with the paper work the professors cant hold it against you if you miss class since you have a reason to if you so happen to miss class. But do talk to your professor about things you can do to catch up if you miss class!
What I suggest is don't over fill your schedule, such as taking 17+ credits The college work can be pretty demanding and then there are so that are not.
I hope that helps a bit.
I wish you luck! Which college will you be going to?
Hello, sorry that you are feeling this way, but it can be fixed to best of your ability!!!smile. We living have to what it takes to have a healthy life in all situations. Put a little more control into this Lupus stuff, I mean , I did not want to change my doctors either, I been with the same doctors since day one-would not give them up for Nothing, my son moved back to Califorina, and I went with him, living there is Freat, but now I travel back and forward to see the doctors -which that sound crazy but am not going to change my doctors-no way , no how, I don’t care if I have to do this trip, it is worth it to me. What I do is make all my appointments for the same month so I won’t get over wheelmed , it works for me !! That way I just stay in Georgia until all the appointments been taken care of , and that gives me time to spend with my grand kids and family , and friends. But of course that sound expensive -I do this every 3-4months, it really helps me, hope that things work out for you…Beverly L.
Congrats on Graduating! My son and daughter both graduated this year as well, so 2013 is a great class : ) You got a lot of great advice, and this is an amazing time of your life - enjoy it and don't over do it. Good luck
Always remember health comes first! I was diagnosed with Lupus while in my Freshman year, away at college. It was the hardest thing I ever had to battle through. I had 3 weeks left of school so I toughed it out and stayed up there, with all my meds and my moon face! Ughhh. I was also on Cytoxan which made it even harder, but it always reminds me of what I can overcome. I didn't return back to that school though. I took a break and decided to go back to my local community college that January. Then when I started my current job I went back to another Univeristy and finally got my degree!
I’m glad you decided to vent here about your current situation. Life’s transitions are so much harder when dealing with lupus and it’s impossible for your friends to really grasp this unless they have lupus, too. There is so much that you have to take into consideration when moving forward in life. Everybody here has given you excellent advice. They know their stuff! Makes me happy and proud to be involved with such a knowledgable group. This is a wonderful lupus family.
Congratulations on graduating high school and going after your dreams! You sound like a tough and wise young lady. Just keep in mind all of the excellent advice given here. Take care.
I will be attending The University of Pittsburgh in <50 days!
Oh wow okay. So I had a contract like that my 4 years all through high school that my teachers and the president/nurses signed. I didnt think that it would extend like that in college, I thought it would be more "you're on your own" but its so nice that there is something similar.
Lol silly me for thinking of taking 17+ credits, huh? And double majoring? Yeah no, I'm definitely shimmying that down.
Thanks so much!
Ibie Monstah said:
Congrats on graduating!!
I'm currently a rising senior at college and I just got done my first year with lupus. I was diagnosed back in June 2012. With the others recommending the special services, I agree with them. At my school there is a disability resource center and I just filled out paper works and went to meet with the advisor there to talk about the accommodations you might need. For me, the Disability center gave me a contract that I would give to my professor to sign, letting them know that you have an illness. You don't have to discuss with them if your dont want to, but with the paper work the professors cant hold it against you if you miss class since you have a reason to if you so happen to miss class. But do talk to your professor about things you can do to catch up if you miss class!
What I suggest is don't over fill your schedule, such as taking 17+ credits The college work can be pretty demanding and then there are so that are not.
I hope that helps a bit.
I wish you luck! Which college will you be going to?
Thanks everyone for all of the kind words and encouragement. I showed my mum some of this and she's all "see I told you, you should have went to the college 6 minutes away!" lol. But just a quick update, things are progressing for the better :) slowly but surely.