What's new
Cystic Fibrosis Forum (EXP)

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

College Challenges

laulau555

New member
Ruby and Ann: that is so excellent that your nurses ! I had always figured with cf i would be exposed to too much. I know ruby said she hasnt worked in hospitals because of this, but i never even considered this as an option. My cf is pretty much under control but i do have B. Cepecia. I have always wanted to be a nurse, do you think i could hanlde it if i stayed away from risky patients?
 

laulau555

New member
Ruby and Ann: that is so excellent that your nurses ! I had always figured with cf i would be exposed to too much. I know ruby said she hasnt worked in hospitals because of this, but i never even considered this as an option. My cf is pretty much under control but i do have B. Cepecia. I have always wanted to be a nurse, do you think i could hanlde it if i stayed away from risky patients?
 

laulau555

New member
Ruby and Ann: that is so excellent that your nurses ! I had always figured with cf i would be exposed to too much. I know ruby said she hasnt worked in hospitals because of this, but i never even considered this as an option. My cf is pretty much under control but i do have B. Cepecia. I have always wanted to be a nurse, do you think i could hanlde it if i stayed away from risky patients?
 

laulau555

New member
Ruby and Ann: that is so excellent that your nurses ! I had always figured with cf i would be exposed to too much. I know ruby said she hasnt worked in hospitals because of this, but i never even considered this as an option. My cf is pretty much under control but i do have B. Cepecia. I have always wanted to be a nurse, do you think i could hanlde it if i stayed away from risky patients?
 

laulau555

New member
Ruby and Ann: that is so excellent that your nurses ! I had always figured with cf i would be exposed to too much. I know ruby said she hasnt worked in hospitals because of this, but i never even considered this as an option. My cf is pretty much under control but i do have B. Cepecia. I have always wanted to be a nurse, do you think i could hanlde it if i stayed away from risky patients?
 

bittyhorse23

New member
I had 2 college experiences. My first one I got my Associates in Interior Design in 2001. I was very non-compliant back then and rarely did my treatments. And half the time I forgot to eat too. This of course landed me in the hospital twice during my 3 years of school. After the first one I started to do more treatments but my social life and school were more important still. I also worked part time during this and I wish I hadn't.

My second experience just ended this past Decemeber. I went back for my BS in Interior Design. I am much more compliant and after working in the field I was more able to use time managament to help me keep everything in order. Instead of just reading a chapter or working on something and skipping my treatments, I would do them together. I could use my lunch breaks at work to do homework so I could try to get to bed early. I worked full time while going to school full time. I think my lack of sleep and all the stress of finishing my degree over the past yer and a half lead to me getting sicker now. If I could go back I would not have taken on full time classes. I wanted to get done ASAP but I didn't think about my health so it suffered again, though not as much persay.

You just have to come up with something that works for you. But remember your health is most important and when you feel like you are doing too much you probably are.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

bittyhorse23

New member
I had 2 college experiences. My first one I got my Associates in Interior Design in 2001. I was very non-compliant back then and rarely did my treatments. And half the time I forgot to eat too. This of course landed me in the hospital twice during my 3 years of school. After the first one I started to do more treatments but my social life and school were more important still. I also worked part time during this and I wish I hadn't.

My second experience just ended this past Decemeber. I went back for my BS in Interior Design. I am much more compliant and after working in the field I was more able to use time managament to help me keep everything in order. Instead of just reading a chapter or working on something and skipping my treatments, I would do them together. I could use my lunch breaks at work to do homework so I could try to get to bed early. I worked full time while going to school full time. I think my lack of sleep and all the stress of finishing my degree over the past yer and a half lead to me getting sicker now. If I could go back I would not have taken on full time classes. I wanted to get done ASAP but I didn't think about my health so it suffered again, though not as much persay.

You just have to come up with something that works for you. But remember your health is most important and when you feel like you are doing too much you probably are.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

bittyhorse23

New member
I had 2 college experiences. My first one I got my Associates in Interior Design in 2001. I was very non-compliant back then and rarely did my treatments. And half the time I forgot to eat too. This of course landed me in the hospital twice during my 3 years of school. After the first one I started to do more treatments but my social life and school were more important still. I also worked part time during this and I wish I hadn't.

My second experience just ended this past Decemeber. I went back for my BS in Interior Design. I am much more compliant and after working in the field I was more able to use time managament to help me keep everything in order. Instead of just reading a chapter or working on something and skipping my treatments, I would do them together. I could use my lunch breaks at work to do homework so I could try to get to bed early. I worked full time while going to school full time. I think my lack of sleep and all the stress of finishing my degree over the past yer and a half lead to me getting sicker now. If I could go back I would not have taken on full time classes. I wanted to get done ASAP but I didn't think about my health so it suffered again, though not as much persay.

You just have to come up with something that works for you. But remember your health is most important and when you feel like you are doing too much you probably are.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

bittyhorse23

New member
I had 2 college experiences. My first one I got my Associates in Interior Design in 2001. I was very non-compliant back then and rarely did my treatments. And half the time I forgot to eat too. This of course landed me in the hospital twice during my 3 years of school. After the first one I started to do more treatments but my social life and school were more important still. I also worked part time during this and I wish I hadn't.

My second experience just ended this past Decemeber. I went back for my BS in Interior Design. I am much more compliant and after working in the field I was more able to use time managament to help me keep everything in order. Instead of just reading a chapter or working on something and skipping my treatments, I would do them together. I could use my lunch breaks at work to do homework so I could try to get to bed early. I worked full time while going to school full time. I think my lack of sleep and all the stress of finishing my degree over the past yer and a half lead to me getting sicker now. If I could go back I would not have taken on full time classes. I wanted to get done ASAP but I didn't think about my health so it suffered again, though not as much persay.

You just have to come up with something that works for you. But remember your health is most important and when you feel like you are doing too much you probably are.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

bittyhorse23

New member
I had 2 college experiences. My first one I got my Associates in Interior Design in 2001. I was very non-compliant back then and rarely did my treatments. And half the time I forgot to eat too. This of course landed me in the hospital twice during my 3 years of school. After the first one I started to do more treatments but my social life and school were more important still. I also worked part time during this and I wish I hadn't.
<br />
<br />My second experience just ended this past Decemeber. I went back for my BS in Interior Design. I am much more compliant and after working in the field I was more able to use time managament to help me keep everything in order. Instead of just reading a chapter or working on something and skipping my treatments, I would do them together. I could use my lunch breaks at work to do homework so I could try to get to bed early. I worked full time while going to school full time. I think my lack of sleep and all the stress of finishing my degree over the past yer and a half lead to me getting sicker now. If I could go back I would not have taken on full time classes. I wanted to get done ASAP but I didn't think about my health so it suffered again, though not as much persay.
<br />
<br />You just have to come up with something that works for you. But remember your health is most important and when you feel like you are doing too much you probably are.
<br />
<br /><img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

mamerth

New member
College was hard. I stayed pretty compliant my first year (no roommate, did treatment) and stayed pretty healthy. I wanted to dive right in to school (I love to learn) and paid for it dearly my after my sophomore year. I need up on a PICC the end of the summer unto the first weeks of the next school year. I made some drastic changes (quit working and going to school full time).

I ended up just focusing on a school work and getting my health back. I had to miss classes due to my health (treatments, IV's) and some of the teacher refused to be accommodating. Luckily I was already enrolled in a "disabled program" (not sure what else to call it) and they went to bat for me talking to my teachers. The college president got an involved because he knew of my CF and knocked a few heads around for the way the teachers handled things initially.

College took me 5 years. My professor kept holding me back with my internship. I wanted to intern as a medical social worker and he thought that was a bad idea due to my health. I lost my financial aid (voc rehab) because my professor didn't like my internship idea and didn't sign off on it. To return to school I would have to take out a loan due to loosing my aid. I took a semester off and worked and then lined up my own internship for spring semester. I ended worked as a medical social worker in a medical rehab hospital.
 

mamerth

New member
College was hard. I stayed pretty compliant my first year (no roommate, did treatment) and stayed pretty healthy. I wanted to dive right in to school (I love to learn) and paid for it dearly my after my sophomore year. I need up on a PICC the end of the summer unto the first weeks of the next school year. I made some drastic changes (quit working and going to school full time).

I ended up just focusing on a school work and getting my health back. I had to miss classes due to my health (treatments, IV's) and some of the teacher refused to be accommodating. Luckily I was already enrolled in a "disabled program" (not sure what else to call it) and they went to bat for me talking to my teachers. The college president got an involved because he knew of my CF and knocked a few heads around for the way the teachers handled things initially.

College took me 5 years. My professor kept holding me back with my internship. I wanted to intern as a medical social worker and he thought that was a bad idea due to my health. I lost my financial aid (voc rehab) because my professor didn't like my internship idea and didn't sign off on it. To return to school I would have to take out a loan due to loosing my aid. I took a semester off and worked and then lined up my own internship for spring semester. I ended worked as a medical social worker in a medical rehab hospital.
 

mamerth

New member
College was hard. I stayed pretty compliant my first year (no roommate, did treatment) and stayed pretty healthy. I wanted to dive right in to school (I love to learn) and paid for it dearly my after my sophomore year. I need up on a PICC the end of the summer unto the first weeks of the next school year. I made some drastic changes (quit working and going to school full time).

I ended up just focusing on a school work and getting my health back. I had to miss classes due to my health (treatments, IV's) and some of the teacher refused to be accommodating. Luckily I was already enrolled in a "disabled program" (not sure what else to call it) and they went to bat for me talking to my teachers. The college president got an involved because he knew of my CF and knocked a few heads around for the way the teachers handled things initially.

College took me 5 years. My professor kept holding me back with my internship. I wanted to intern as a medical social worker and he thought that was a bad idea due to my health. I lost my financial aid (voc rehab) because my professor didn't like my internship idea and didn't sign off on it. To return to school I would have to take out a loan due to loosing my aid. I took a semester off and worked and then lined up my own internship for spring semester. I ended worked as a medical social worker in a medical rehab hospital.
 

mamerth

New member
College was hard. I stayed pretty compliant my first year (no roommate, did treatment) and stayed pretty healthy. I wanted to dive right in to school (I love to learn) and paid for it dearly my after my sophomore year. I need up on a PICC the end of the summer unto the first weeks of the next school year. I made some drastic changes (quit working and going to school full time).

I ended up just focusing on a school work and getting my health back. I had to miss classes due to my health (treatments, IV's) and some of the teacher refused to be accommodating. Luckily I was already enrolled in a "disabled program" (not sure what else to call it) and they went to bat for me talking to my teachers. The college president got an involved because he knew of my CF and knocked a few heads around for the way the teachers handled things initially.

College took me 5 years. My professor kept holding me back with my internship. I wanted to intern as a medical social worker and he thought that was a bad idea due to my health. I lost my financial aid (voc rehab) because my professor didn't like my internship idea and didn't sign off on it. To return to school I would have to take out a loan due to loosing my aid. I took a semester off and worked and then lined up my own internship for spring semester. I ended worked as a medical social worker in a medical rehab hospital.
 

mamerth

New member
College was hard. I stayed pretty compliant my first year (no roommate, did treatment) and stayed pretty healthy. I wanted to dive right in to school (I love to learn) and paid for it dearly my after my sophomore year. I need up on a PICC the end of the summer unto the first weeks of the next school year. I made some drastic changes (quit working and going to school full time).
<br />
<br /> I ended up just focusing on a school work and getting my health back. I had to miss classes due to my health (treatments, IV's) and some of the teacher refused to be accommodating. Luckily I was already enrolled in a "disabled program" (not sure what else to call it) and they went to bat for me talking to my teachers. The college president got an involved because he knew of my CF and knocked a few heads around for the way the teachers handled things initially.
<br />
<br />College took me 5 years. My professor kept holding me back with my internship. I wanted to intern as a medical social worker and he thought that was a bad idea due to my health. I lost my financial aid (voc rehab) because my professor didn't like my internship idea and didn't sign off on it. To return to school I would have to take out a loan due to loosing my aid. I took a semester off and worked and then lined up my own internship for spring semester. I ended worked as a medical social worker in a medical rehab hospital.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
 

NYCLawGirl

New member
Hey Jena. I think I know sort of what you're going through: I went to a 4 year university for my BA across the country from my parents' home (I received a double major in English Women's Studies with a minor in History, summa cum laude to pat myself on the back) and then went directly on to Columbia Law School for a 3 year JD program. I was so incredibly fortunate in that I didn't have to work during the entire period, but I definitely had to keep up with my studies and manage my CF in a way that was totally new to me. Missing too much class simply waasn't an option. Also I wanted to have a social life outside of school and participate in all the normal college fun (student groups, etc). Living at home obviously wasn't an option, so I lived in a dorm for 2 years with a roommate and then in rented houses with friends. All in all, not the best environment for a CFer, maybe, but I loved my college experience and have to admit I wouldn't change it at all if I had it to do over again.

One thing that helped me was scheduling time for IVs and hardcore resting over breaks. This was one of my major compromises with my intense drive to particpate in "normal" college life - I would push myself all semester pretty hard, but come winter or spring break I would go home or check into the hospital and really give myself a rest. I was also very open with my roommates and friends about my CF, so it was never a problem for me to do nebs, vest, or home IVs in front of them, and I was very active which I also think helped my CF (always running around will clear those lungs!). But I have pretty severe pulmonary issues and it was definitely a struggle. Sometimes I think I did (and do) push myself too hard, but I also managed to do exactly what I wanted with my life despite my CF. I have a great job, amazing friends, and a lot of great experiences I would never have had without college and law school, so it was worth it. Hope you figure out something that allows you to achieve all your goals while still taking care of yourself. Trust me, you'll be so glad you did both down the road!
 

NYCLawGirl

New member
Hey Jena. I think I know sort of what you're going through: I went to a 4 year university for my BA across the country from my parents' home (I received a double major in English Women's Studies with a minor in History, summa cum laude to pat myself on the back) and then went directly on to Columbia Law School for a 3 year JD program. I was so incredibly fortunate in that I didn't have to work during the entire period, but I definitely had to keep up with my studies and manage my CF in a way that was totally new to me. Missing too much class simply waasn't an option. Also I wanted to have a social life outside of school and participate in all the normal college fun (student groups, etc). Living at home obviously wasn't an option, so I lived in a dorm for 2 years with a roommate and then in rented houses with friends. All in all, not the best environment for a CFer, maybe, but I loved my college experience and have to admit I wouldn't change it at all if I had it to do over again.

One thing that helped me was scheduling time for IVs and hardcore resting over breaks. This was one of my major compromises with my intense drive to particpate in "normal" college life - I would push myself all semester pretty hard, but come winter or spring break I would go home or check into the hospital and really give myself a rest. I was also very open with my roommates and friends about my CF, so it was never a problem for me to do nebs, vest, or home IVs in front of them, and I was very active which I also think helped my CF (always running around will clear those lungs!). But I have pretty severe pulmonary issues and it was definitely a struggle. Sometimes I think I did (and do) push myself too hard, but I also managed to do exactly what I wanted with my life despite my CF. I have a great job, amazing friends, and a lot of great experiences I would never have had without college and law school, so it was worth it. Hope you figure out something that allows you to achieve all your goals while still taking care of yourself. Trust me, you'll be so glad you did both down the road!
 

NYCLawGirl

New member
Hey Jena. I think I know sort of what you're going through: I went to a 4 year university for my BA across the country from my parents' home (I received a double major in English Women's Studies with a minor in History, summa cum laude to pat myself on the back) and then went directly on to Columbia Law School for a 3 year JD program. I was so incredibly fortunate in that I didn't have to work during the entire period, but I definitely had to keep up with my studies and manage my CF in a way that was totally new to me. Missing too much class simply waasn't an option. Also I wanted to have a social life outside of school and participate in all the normal college fun (student groups, etc). Living at home obviously wasn't an option, so I lived in a dorm for 2 years with a roommate and then in rented houses with friends. All in all, not the best environment for a CFer, maybe, but I loved my college experience and have to admit I wouldn't change it at all if I had it to do over again.

One thing that helped me was scheduling time for IVs and hardcore resting over breaks. This was one of my major compromises with my intense drive to particpate in "normal" college life - I would push myself all semester pretty hard, but come winter or spring break I would go home or check into the hospital and really give myself a rest. I was also very open with my roommates and friends about my CF, so it was never a problem for me to do nebs, vest, or home IVs in front of them, and I was very active which I also think helped my CF (always running around will clear those lungs!). But I have pretty severe pulmonary issues and it was definitely a struggle. Sometimes I think I did (and do) push myself too hard, but I also managed to do exactly what I wanted with my life despite my CF. I have a great job, amazing friends, and a lot of great experiences I would never have had without college and law school, so it was worth it. Hope you figure out something that allows you to achieve all your goals while still taking care of yourself. Trust me, you'll be so glad you did both down the road!
 

NYCLawGirl

New member
Hey Jena. I think I know sort of what you're going through: I went to a 4 year university for my BA across the country from my parents' home (I received a double major in English Women's Studies with a minor in History, summa cum laude to pat myself on the back) and then went directly on to Columbia Law School for a 3 year JD program. I was so incredibly fortunate in that I didn't have to work during the entire period, but I definitely had to keep up with my studies and manage my CF in a way that was totally new to me. Missing too much class simply waasn't an option. Also I wanted to have a social life outside of school and participate in all the normal college fun (student groups, etc). Living at home obviously wasn't an option, so I lived in a dorm for 2 years with a roommate and then in rented houses with friends. All in all, not the best environment for a CFer, maybe, but I loved my college experience and have to admit I wouldn't change it at all if I had it to do over again.

One thing that helped me was scheduling time for IVs and hardcore resting over breaks. This was one of my major compromises with my intense drive to particpate in "normal" college life - I would push myself all semester pretty hard, but come winter or spring break I would go home or check into the hospital and really give myself a rest. I was also very open with my roommates and friends about my CF, so it was never a problem for me to do nebs, vest, or home IVs in front of them, and I was very active which I also think helped my CF (always running around will clear those lungs!). But I have pretty severe pulmonary issues and it was definitely a struggle. Sometimes I think I did (and do) push myself too hard, but I also managed to do exactly what I wanted with my life despite my CF. I have a great job, amazing friends, and a lot of great experiences I would never have had without college and law school, so it was worth it. Hope you figure out something that allows you to achieve all your goals while still taking care of yourself. Trust me, you'll be so glad you did both down the road!
 

NYCLawGirl

New member
Hey Jena. I think I know sort of what you're going through: I went to a 4 year university for my BA across the country from my parents' home (I received a double major in English Women's Studies with a minor in History, summa cum laude to pat myself on the back) and then went directly on to Columbia Law School for a 3 year JD program. I was so incredibly fortunate in that I didn't have to work during the entire period, but I definitely had to keep up with my studies and manage my CF in a way that was totally new to me. Missing too much class simply waasn't an option. Also I wanted to have a social life outside of school and participate in all the normal college fun (student groups, etc). Living at home obviously wasn't an option, so I lived in a dorm for 2 years with a roommate and then in rented houses with friends. All in all, not the best environment for a CFer, maybe, but I loved my college experience and have to admit I wouldn't change it at all if I had it to do over again.
<br />
<br />One thing that helped me was scheduling time for IVs and hardcore resting over breaks. This was one of my major compromises with my intense drive to particpate in "normal" college life - I would push myself all semester pretty hard, but come winter or spring break I would go home or check into the hospital and really give myself a rest. I was also very open with my roommates and friends about my CF, so it was never a problem for me to do nebs, vest, or home IVs in front of them, and I was very active which I also think helped my CF (always running around will clear those lungs!). But I have pretty severe pulmonary issues and it was definitely a struggle. Sometimes I think I did (and do) push myself too hard, but I also managed to do exactly what I wanted with my life despite my CF. I have a great job, amazing friends, and a lot of great experiences I would never have had without college and law school, so it was worth it. Hope you figure out something that allows you to achieve all your goals while still taking care of yourself. Trust me, you'll be so glad you did both down the road!
 
Top