Make a wish

General
1

Hello everyone.

Unfortunately, I am still feeling pretty crappy. My back and neck hurt really bad and I am much more tired than usual. But putting that aside, I decided to do some research today.

I really want to attend the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The problem is that going through high school with lupus = low GPA and no extracurriculars. So my application is not looking very good for an elite school like uofm ann arbor. Ive always really wanted to be a wolverine. I know that there are other branches of uofm (i.e. flint and dearborn) but its just not the same as ann arbor.

I am a smart kid (not to be cocky, but I am.) The problem for me is my lupus holds me back. I know a lot of people say "its just in your head" but its really not. Its extremely hard to take AP classes and have lupus. But I wanted to take those classes to challenge myself academically. Yes, I could take easy blow off classes and get straight A's, but how would that help me in college? This last year I took AP Chemistry (hardest class you can take at my school) and AP Psychology. Not to mention anatomy, algebra 2, and a medical careers program my school offers.

I ended up with four A's, a B+ (which should have been an A) and a B... basically I kicked a** considering I spent most of the semester sick, at doctor appointments, or in the hospital. This upcoming year I am taking Pre-Calc, AP Biology, AP Language, and my med careers program.

My GPA as of now is a 3.3 . That is really not a good GPA for UofM. They prefer something along the lines of a 3.75 - 4.0 . I calculated it out and had I BEEN in class I would have a 3.89. Luckily my nephrologist plans on Cellcept soon and i'm banking on that putting me into remission.

Anyway, I decided to look around and see if there was anything to help me get in to u of m. I found myself at MakeAWish foundations website. I guess you dont have to have a terminal illness or cancer to qualify. They even have lupus under the criteria to get a wish.

I know it sounds silly, but my wish is to go to U of M Ann Arbor. Ive always really wanted to be a Wolverine. I feel like my illness has been holding me back in life and I don't want it to determine my future. I know U of M is hard to get into even for healthy students, but had I been healthy I could have been in sports and participated in Key Club. But my heart is getting worse and track and sports arent an option for me (unless I wanted to keel over from a pulse <200 bmp. My pulse is 135 when I'm sitting down).

So I have applied for a wish (I'm 17 so I still qualify). Im really hopeful since UofM has an amazing track record with MakeAWish foundation. I hope this doesnt sound like I am using my illness as an excuse. I really did do well on my own despite being so sick. I have the capabilities, I just need to be able to prove that to them.

I really want to be a pediatric oncologist. U of M has an AMAZING medical program and its medical school is ranked in the top ten of the US. I really want to be a doctor and I think that I can offer something special since I truely KNOW what pain feels like, and I know how it can feel not being able to control what's happening to your body. In the end, I truly just want to help people. I hate to see people suffer, because it reminds me of my own pain and how I wanted someone to believe me and tell me everything was okay and that I wasnt crazy.

(Sorry that this is so long. I'm just very excited).

Anyway, if you could makeawish what would it be?

2

Hi Teenlupus,

I hope makeawish will help you, and I share your excitement!

This is a great topic - what would I wish for?? A European Riverboat Cruise......My mother was from Hungary - and I never got the chance to go there and I would love that.

Thanks for the topic.... Keep up the good work at school...

3

Thanks Trisha!
A european riverboat cruise does sound quite nice... :)
I am hopeful that they will help me as well. I actually talked to a person from makeawish this morning and I gave her my info. She told me she was unsure if they could grant my wish or not.. They really dont have access to wishes like that. But I am still really hopeful since makeawish is really emphasized at uofm. I actually found out today that they have a whole program devoted to students with disabilities. Apparently, one half of students with disabilities at uofm has a chronic illness. I am hopeful that if I reach out to that department and try and get them and makeawish and the admissions team to all work together, that I might actually be able to get my wish! (it would look great for PR for uofm... lol just saying).
If I cant get that wish then I suppose I will wish for help paying my tuition.

Ahh well. Wish me luck!

I wish you the best of health,
teenlupus101

4

Keep us posted!!

Good luck!!!

5

Best Wishes to you from Australia. Kaz xox

Teenlupus101 said:

Thanks Trisha!
A european riverboat cruise does sound quite nice... :)
I am hopeful that they will help me as well. I actually talked to a person from makeawish this morning and I gave her my info. She told me she was unsure if they could grant my wish or not.. They really dont have access to wishes like that. But I am still really hopeful since makeawish is really emphasized at uofm. I actually found out today that they have a whole program devoted to students with disabilities. Apparently, one half of students with disabilities at uofm has a chronic illness. I am hopeful that if I reach out to that department and try and get them and makeawish and the admissions team to all work together, that I might actually be able to get my wish! (it would look great for PR for uofm... lol just saying).
If I cant get that wish then I suppose I will wish for help paying my tuition.

Ahh well. Wish me luck!

I wish you the best of health,
teenlupus101

6

Crossing my fingers that your wish comes true! Keep us updated.

My wish... I want to spend a day with Ben Carson. I want to pick his brain and assist him in a surgery (extra RN class I took taught us how to scrub in and stuff). Or, to go along with Trisha's... I want to go to the Phillipines and see where my grandfather was from. I read We Band of Angels about the nurses in Bataan and there were a lot of pictures in the book and one of them was of the university where he went to medical school. But, the Phillipines is on the government's travel warnings list because of terrorist groups kidnapping travelers, bombings, etc. :(

7

Hi Teen, I really hope you get your wish, both of them, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

For me, I would love to go to Costa Rica. I have always wanted to go there. I have friends who have visited. Here's to our wishes coming true!

8

Hello, I would lime to tell you that colleges will actually understand and sometimes give you accommodations so that you can get to your school without worrying about if you missed days they give you more time. Check into it hun. Good luck.

9

Good luck with your wishes Teen Lupus,

For myself, I would wish for a hot tub on our deck. I've always wanted one and the doctors have told me that it would be very beneficial for me as well. My husband also has back issues so it would be great for him as well. Besides, it would give our kids and grandkids a good reason to come see us more often. LOL

10

Hello, hope that the best turn out for you! Smile This sound like you have a serious dream and it has to take a course of being determind. I love to hear young adults with a plan for Life!!! Follow your dreams and don’t let nothing stop you??? One thing that i learned about life you have to make things happen for yourself, noone can walk in your shoes, but YOU. Go for it…Beverly L.

11

Along with Ann A, I'm giving you my wish too. You are clearly a bright girl with loads of ambition who deserves the chance to shine. C'mon MakeAWish...make it happen!!

12

Follow your dream, don't give up, you deserve it! I am rooting for you!

13

My wish is that a cure is found for this devastating disease so young, intelligent people are able to live their lives without having to bear the burden of Lupus along with living there dreams

14

If I could have one wish,it would be for peace of mind,than everything else would fall into place…

15

Thank you everyone for all your responses! I am so sorry I couldn’t respond sooner. Needless to say, my phone charger ran away. Although it says that I’ve been online apparently? Odd. Anyway, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all of your responses and how touched I am. I too wish that there was a cure for the awful disease. I also really enjoyed reading about all of your different wishes. :slight_smile:
I am also hopeful for peace of mind and I still remain hopeful that my wish will be granted. I am very touched that you think I deserve the wish, because, to be honest, I am starting to feel extreme guilt over actually asking for a wish. I mean, sure this disease is awful, but I’m not exactly on my death bed yet. I did start two heart medications and my kidneys have started to go downhill but I am unsure if my rheumy will agree that it is “life threatening”. I mean my cardiologist would in a heartbeat (lol pun intended). Still, I am not a cancer patient who is terminal or someone who has a horrendous blood disorder. (Unless you consider lupus a blood disorder).
I suppose that is just who I am, though. I feel unnecessary guilt over a lot of things.
Anywho, just an update: no word yet on my wish, but I suppose that it’s due to the fact that it’s a weekend. I still am in pain, but whose not? I guess it could be much worse, so my fingers are crossed.
I hope all of you are pain-free and symptom-free. :slight_smile:

I wish you all the best of health,
Teenlupus101

16

I'm so glad you started this post. I love reading all the wishes and dreaming things up.

I just wanted to jump back in here and reiterate what Ann said. Professors want people who want to be there and are driven. Don't give up. Pursue your dream! Letters of rec. and your essay could turn things around. Many college applications have very open essay topics, especially if they use the common application, and you could easily write about overcoming obstacles and your good spirit and determination in one of those essays. Letters of rec. can also give your teachers a chance to tell schools how awesome you are to have a great GPA while dealing with so much other stuff. Go for it hon!

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Hi,that is the truth! I have started doing Bible study -I started doing one hour at a time one day a week , but now the hours of my choice is at 2-3hours and two days a week , if the weather allow me, so that is my peace of mind…Beverly L.



celeste said:

If I could have one wish,it would be for peace of mind,than everything else would fall into place…

18


Hi, stay strong...Beverly L. Teenlupus101 said:
Thank you everyone for all your responses! I am so sorry I couldn't respond sooner. Needless to say, my phone charger ran away. Although it says that I've been online apparently? Odd. Anyway, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all of your responses and how touched I am. I too wish that there was a cure for the awful disease. I also really enjoyed reading about all of your different wishes. :)
I am also hopeful for peace of mind and I still remain hopeful that my wish will be granted. I am very touched that you think I deserve the wish, because, to be honest, I am starting to feel extreme guilt over actually asking for a wish. I mean, sure this disease is awful, but I'm not exactly on my death bed yet. I did start two heart medications and my kidneys have started to go downhill but I am unsure if my rheumy will agree that it is "life threatening". I mean my cardiologist would in a heartbeat (lol pun intended). Still, I am not a cancer patient who is terminal or someone who has a horrendous blood disorder. (Unless you consider lupus a blood disorder).
I suppose that is just who I am, though. I feel unnecessary guilt over a lot of things.
Anywho, just an update: no word yet on my wish, but I suppose that it's due to the fact that it's a weekend. I still am in pain, but whose not? I guess it could be much worse, so my fingers are crossed.
I hope all of you are pain-free and symptom-free. :)

I wish you all the best of health,
Teenlupus101
19

Wow! Yes U of M is your dream for med school correct? Been there, done that. You don’t know this yet, dreams are funny as we age… They change as people change. Only faster for us Lupuies (as you know). Great for contacting MAW, I wish they had that when I was your age. Ok now back to you. Try and have a back up plan. So maybe not Ann Harbor YET, there are plenty of good schools for your undergrad degree. Undergrad GPA is where it is going to matter most getting into your first or second choice for medical schools and then there is the MCATS (or whatever they call it today). When you apply to medical schools they are not looking for athletic abilities, A BIG plus for us Lupies. It’s purely academic in nature. So, don’t turn your back on other paths that lead to the same goal- medical school at Ann Harbor! Getting your undergrad is hard enough in a science based field, so don’t stress about it. You are one smart cookie kiddo! Keep your eyes on the big prize, keep your faith and smile. FYI My personal favorite for stress relief is signing TS really loud in my car while I am driving around seeing patients. I know, TS?? I sure make people laugh at red lights though :slight_smile: So have some fun too !!!

20

Thank you for all your responses!
Unfortunately, I am very sick right now. My blood pressure has dropped to 90/51 and my pulse is down to 88 (which is low for me). I am very weak and tired. I also feel very dizzy after I stand up. At one point I felt like my legs were going to give out. So not a good day today.
My theory is that my blood pressure meds are working too well. I’m interested to see what my cardiologist will think.
Hopefully I can stick it out until tomorrow when my cardiologist office opens. I would HATE to have to be dragged to the ER. -_- I really don’t like being a patient.
Anyway, thank you for your thoughts.
I wish you all the best of health,
Teenlupus101