So, on the 23rd, I went to the ER and was going into shock from my e.coli infection, apparently it never cleared up. I spent the next few days in ICU and just got out this monday. As my luck would have it, they also found a subclavian blood clot from all my PICC lines, so I'm on coumadin. Which sucks, because I have a Hickman catheter in for the antibiotics and blood draws, and it can't be removed for 3 months because of the blood thinners. Which means no ocean this summer, and no swimming for a month.

No, I never catch a break! And I decided to put college off until the fall because I'm just not physically ready. I'd rather wait and give 110% later than go now and be sick. But, atleast I'm graduating! My school basically bent over backwards for me and ended all my classes right where I left off so I had zero makeup work.

My principal ended up giving a speech about me at senior awards night and gave me a medal of courage for being sick and just, well, surviving. Along with it came a $1,000 scholarship. I also got the Craig Gibbons scholarship.

So, alot has been going on, but I think maybe this time I'm getting better! ....Hopefully!

Oh, and heres me at senior banquet thursday night, looking a little bit sickly, but it was such a good night

me and my best friend

Chelsea, you look absolutely stunning! Who would ever guess that you have been so poorly? I think you are doing the right thing in postoning college until you are feeling stronger.

You definately deserve that survivors award and good for you for persevering with your studies and graduating and earning that scolarship! It's a shame about being on blood thinners but it's just one summer. You'll have lots more summers when you are healthy to enjoy the ocean.

You are such an inspiration to all the people on this site. Keep up the good work.

Luv & hugs

Shell

Chelsea, that smile says it all! I think it is truly amazing that you have come through all of this so well. I know it was a hard road and you sure have had every complication out there. But, you made it through school (I remember in the Fall you were feeling that that might not be possible), you got into college (postponing till Fall sounds like a good idea) and you are smiling.

You should be so proud of yourself Chelsea. What you've been dealt is more than most adults could handle. Enjoy graduation and the time in the summer to enjoy feeling well.

Well, you really are something else. Your spirit and strength are amazing. And on top of that, you are beautiful! AND make great decisions, as in you were smart to give yourself and body some extra time to gain some momentum after such horrid spring. And on top of all that, you are so bright and self aware. You're mighty young to be such an inspiration to others, but you are.

I hope you get lots of strength back this summer, and that you get to do some fun things.

I'll never forget when I graduated law school in 1991. I dealt with UC all through law school but I made law review anyway, and later on that summer I took and passed the Connecticut and New York bar exams despite dealing with severe UC at that time, which later led to a colectomy in 1992.

At my commencement in 1991 when I walked up onto the stage, to receive my diploma from commencement speaker Richard Blumenthal (the Attorney General for the State of Connecticut), a bunch of my friends who were on law review with me all rose in unison and shouted my nickname. Blumenthal was startled by the reaction and looked at me and said, "you have quite a cheering section out there!", as he handed me my Juris Doctor diploma. It's a moment I will never forget.

Chelsea, I hope you go on to at least one more graduation, maybe 2, and always keep the same attitude. Congratulations but this is only the beginning of your journey and may it be a great one!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJBHusky,

Thanks Shell, Jill, Bari and DJB, god knows I need the positive reinforcement

I know it's been an awful past 3 months, but I wouldn't change it. I swear, after banquet, I was driving home with my friend and I looked at her said "Oh my god, I have an ostomy bag." I couldn't even believe the last time I'd given it any thought was when I changed it before we left my house like, 5 hours earlier. I felt "normal" the whole entire night. I was able to eat dinner...then DANCE! How crazy! If I had a jpouch, I would have eaten dinner then suffered and sat down the whole night. I just feel like this ostomy bag gave me my life back.

Words can't describe how excited we are for you, and that you were able to enjoy the night having the ostomy! Enjoy the summer b/c when you start in the fall time to be busy busy

Congratulations, Chelsea! I wish you all the best this summer and in college. You look so pretty and happy in your photos.

Anjuli

Hey Chels I wish you could hear my wolf whistle.You look absolutely awsome.Continued health and happiness.

mish,

The year I took the New York bar exam, the pass rate was 68%. Meaning 32% who took the exam failed. I was on 60 mg Prednisone at the time and running to the bathroom through the whole day. The New York bar exam was BY FAR the hardest of 3 bar exams I have taken and passed (I am 3 for 3, but I waited 3 months on the NY results and was really worried that I failed it due to losing time in the bathroom that day). When you pass they don't tell you your score (except for the multistate portion where I scored the national average of 141). So I don't know if I passed by the skin of my teeth in New York, but I suspect I probably did.

Chelsea -

I've watched your posts over the last year and a half that I've been on this board, and I must say how proud I am of you. Which is weird since I don't even know you but...your attitude has done a complete aboutface and soon your health will fall into line as well.

Keep hanging in there - you've got so much to offer this world and you're only just getting started!

Congrats!
Lisa

Chelsea, you look beautiful. I sure hope things get better for you soon. Sometimes life seems so unfair. Hang in there...Randy

You are stunning, Chelsea! Simply stunning! It is time things turned around for you! Everything which can "cross" is "crossed"! Congratulations!

Look at you, hottie tottie! I love the dress and the shoes! AND congrats!!! Sounds like you had some great support at your school. You go, chica.

Graduated! Wow, that is something to be proud of! And you look great, I love the pink. And I'll tell you one thing, you sure as heck look happy. So enjoy the summer - you can still do the beach even with out swimming, right? (that's what I basically do anyway!)
Congratulations and keep in touch.
Jenny