I liiiiiiiiiiiive!
It's been a while, hasn't it.
I apologize for my absence. I know there's not a lot of people who follow me but I've been going through some major changes in my life and it's just been really crazy. If you follow me on tumblr you may've seen some posts. Now...to my past year or so.
My last post mentioned I had TMJ. Well, my health actually took a more drastic turn for the worse. I developed symptoms of anxiety, depression and more chronic pain that couldn't be explained as well as serious sleep issues. I had to take incompletes in half of my classes and take the Spring 2013 semester off to get my health under control. Seeing a rheumatologist got me some answers: I have a gross vitamin D deficiency. My levels were virtually zero. I spent the first four months of this year working to get my vitamin D levels up enough for me to complete basic tasks. On top of all of this, my best friend was getting married in Malta and I was her maid of honor.
We got my levels mostly in control, I'm taking a supplement and spending copious amounts of time in the sun to produce vitamin D. We've had to up my doses once already and I will forever be going through bloodwork and having my doses adjusted as over time my body will need to have more and more vitamin D as it grows harder to absorb it. I have to keep close track of my body and how I feel in case of a vitamin D crash as well as working to manage my time and energy very tightly because right now I'm only at ~65% of my normal energy.
My friend got married and it was beautiful. It cost a lot of money that I'm still paying back but it was worth it. It was not only a trip for her but for myself. It was the first time in 8-9 months where I felt in control of my body and that there was hope for myself. It was also my first time overseas which was an experience in itself.
Not only that but I got my first internship at a zoo. I've been doing it since 20 May and I finish in a week or three. On top of it I've been working at one of my usual jobs. So far, as long as I get in my vitamin d and remember to eat right I can do my job as well as start working out to get in shape. My goals are pretty simple: 1.) be able to run nonstop for a mile 2.) become a better swimmer (coming from a point where I'm basically relearning it's a huge undertaking). I'm working slowly towards them (I only run and swim once a week -- I can't afford much more than that) and I feel good which is something I haven't felt in a while.
Finishing school is going to be delayed. Because of my energy levels and the fact that I can't commit to quality schoolwork if I take my normal class load I'm only taking 2-3 classes a semester. After my crash I've learned that I don't have to always worry and force myself. I can take my time. I can relax for the first time in my life. So that's what I'm going to do. This also allows me to get better grades and participate in research and internship opportunities I wouldn't have with my previous pace. So really, I'm going to do a lot better. Besides, lighter loads mean I won't be burned out as bad when the semester ends so I can pick up writing faster and the extra time means I get to take fun classes like Wildlife Ecology & Management.
So here I am, looking ahead and stepping forward. It feels good.
(I have a series of tumblrs and an Archive of Our Own account, go and look for my username in both places if you're curious.)
I apologize for my absence. I know there's not a lot of people who follow me but I've been going through some major changes in my life and it's just been really crazy. If you follow me on tumblr you may've seen some posts. Now...to my past year or so.
My last post mentioned I had TMJ. Well, my health actually took a more drastic turn for the worse. I developed symptoms of anxiety, depression and more chronic pain that couldn't be explained as well as serious sleep issues. I had to take incompletes in half of my classes and take the Spring 2013 semester off to get my health under control. Seeing a rheumatologist got me some answers: I have a gross vitamin D deficiency. My levels were virtually zero. I spent the first four months of this year working to get my vitamin D levels up enough for me to complete basic tasks. On top of all of this, my best friend was getting married in Malta and I was her maid of honor.
We got my levels mostly in control, I'm taking a supplement and spending copious amounts of time in the sun to produce vitamin D. We've had to up my doses once already and I will forever be going through bloodwork and having my doses adjusted as over time my body will need to have more and more vitamin D as it grows harder to absorb it. I have to keep close track of my body and how I feel in case of a vitamin D crash as well as working to manage my time and energy very tightly because right now I'm only at ~65% of my normal energy.
My friend got married and it was beautiful. It cost a lot of money that I'm still paying back but it was worth it. It was not only a trip for her but for myself. It was the first time in 8-9 months where I felt in control of my body and that there was hope for myself. It was also my first time overseas which was an experience in itself.
Not only that but I got my first internship at a zoo. I've been doing it since 20 May and I finish in a week or three. On top of it I've been working at one of my usual jobs. So far, as long as I get in my vitamin d and remember to eat right I can do my job as well as start working out to get in shape. My goals are pretty simple: 1.) be able to run nonstop for a mile 2.) become a better swimmer (coming from a point where I'm basically relearning it's a huge undertaking). I'm working slowly towards them (I only run and swim once a week -- I can't afford much more than that) and I feel good which is something I haven't felt in a while.
Finishing school is going to be delayed. Because of my energy levels and the fact that I can't commit to quality schoolwork if I take my normal class load I'm only taking 2-3 classes a semester. After my crash I've learned that I don't have to always worry and force myself. I can take my time. I can relax for the first time in my life. So that's what I'm going to do. This also allows me to get better grades and participate in research and internship opportunities I wouldn't have with my previous pace. So really, I'm going to do a lot better. Besides, lighter loads mean I won't be burned out as bad when the semester ends so I can pick up writing faster and the extra time means I get to take fun classes like Wildlife Ecology & Management.
So here I am, looking ahead and stepping forward. It feels good.
(I have a series of tumblrs and an Archive of Our Own account, go and look for my username in both places if you're curious.)