Almost 2 years ago, I laid in a hospital bed facing major surgery to remove my diseased colon. I was only 72 pounds and could no longer walk due to my severe lack of muscle. I was recieving TPN because I could no longer eat or drink and began losing conciousness every several minutes. My options were quickly diminishing as my health became critical. But only a day before surgery, weak and tired, I began my first online course in West Virginia University's Integrated Marketing Communications program.
I wanted to fight until I had no fight left in me.. and that is exactly what I did.
I remember emailing my professor and explaining to him that I was about to go into surgery to have my colon removed and would do my best to turn in my assignments on time. My professor wrote back, concerned, and urging me to withdraw from the program and reapply when I am healthy. "The program guidelines do not allow for missed work," he explained. This was not his rule, but instead a program-wide rule put into place. He referred me to my advisor who then offered to walk me through the steps to withdraw from the program. So there I was: faced with the decision to withdraw from a program that my heart had been set on for over a year- far before I became sick- or continue in the program and give every ounce that I had left within me.
As you have probably guessed, I chose to stay and fight.
The last two years, I have completed over 50% of my courses from a hospital bed. I have worked on assignments through surgeries and staples and stitches and obstructions and ambulance rides and CT scans and NG tubes and vomiting and unforgettable pain. I have also worked on assignments through some of the most challenging mental and emotional times in my life; moments when it felt as if every ounce of light and happiness had disappeared from my world. But I made a promise to myself early on in my diagnosis that I intended to keep: I never wanted my illness to be an excuse to not pursue my dreams. I wanted to fight until I had no fight left in me.. and that is exactly what I did.
2 years, 33 credit hours, and a 70+ page capstone later, I have graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications. To even type those words is unbelievable to me.
There were so many times when I thought, "I can't do this," and almost quit, but each and every time that I felt like giving up, I reminded myself of how good it would feel to push through and hold that diploma in my hand. I reminded myself how proud I would be of myself for not giving up. My diploma means so much more to me than the end of graduate school. My diploma is a representation of strength, tenacity, passion, and bravery in the face of a life-changing last two years. Not only have I received my degree, but I have proved to myself that despite even the most challenging of circumstances, I can still succeed. I will be OK.
But I have not made this journey on my own. I could not have made it through my illness and degree without my family, friends, and the incredible doctors and nurses who are the reason I am alive today. I will never have the words to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey.
I truly hope that my journey is a source of hope for at least one person in this world. We are so powerful beyond what we believe and can achieve incredible things in this world if we simply believe in ourselves. Do not let your circumstances keep you from pursuing your dreams. If it takes you longer than you expected, keep going. Even if it feels impossible, keep going.
Against all odds, I did it.
