Choose Your Language:
Posted by: The Sumaira Foundation in NMO, Patient, Voices of NMO
2018 started out great. I was a senior in high school, applying to universities and getting excited about high school prom.
I was working at a fast food restaurant and work was generally going well. In addition to working part-time, I was an active member on the prom committee, the culinary team and student government. I had a lot of exciting things going on.
In April 2018, I got a meningococcal vaccine, which was a requirement for college students who wanted to live on a campus.
By May 2018, I decided to attend Barry University where I received a $60,000 scholarship! I was in the process of choosing my dorm and roommate. My parents also hosted a graduation party for me. My grandmother travelled from Canada to attend alongside other family members who traveled from all over. I was overjoyed and looking forward to the next chapter in my life. My parents had planned a summer trip to go back to my hometown in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. This was an opportunity for me to see my friends before attending university full-time in the fall.
After graduation, I returned to my part-time job and began to experience pain in my shoulder and hands. At first, we assumed the pain I was experiencing was due to the repetitive movements at work. My mom made a medical appointment to have this checked. By the middle of July, my fingers were curled into a fist, and I was unable to move my fingers. The doctors were unsure as to what was causing this.
Because I suffered from migraines, I already had a neurologist. I met with him and was told that I had arthritis. My parents did not believe this to be the case because I was unable to hold down any food and started having difficulty walking. My aunt, a physician assistant (PA), made an appointment for me to be seen by a rheumatologist in her office.
By this time, I was unable to walk without assistance. I was still vomiting and experiencing hiccups. The rheumatologist looked at me and immediately stated that this was not arthritis but something neurological. The office had a neurologist on staff and he was called over to consult. He immediately recommended that I go to the hospital as soon as possible.
I arrived at the hospital and was immediately given steroids to stop the hiccups. I was eventually admitted and remained in the hospital for over 20 days! I had numerous tests completed and finally got the diagnosis of NMOSD. While at the hospital, I had occupational and physical therapy. My mom took a leave of absence to ensure that I was able to attend outpatient physical and occupational therapy three times per week.
I was very determined to get back to my previous self and anxious to start university. Although I could not attend Barry University, I applied and was accepted at the University of Central Florida. After months of hard work, I was able to attend university online. The hardest part was watching all my friends move on and experience university as a young adult should while I was stuck at home re-learning to walk.
It’s been challenging to remind myself that life isn’t a race and no matter what hills are put in my way, I have to keep pushing to overcome them. Now, I’m preparing for my last year of my undergraduate degree, touring law schools and preparing to take my LSAT.
