Stress 'n' Pred

Nothing in life is never simple, if theres one thing I've learnt in the last four and a half years its how true that phrase is. Welcome to my current set up as a neph sufferer, drowning in an insane amount of reading, attempting to write a ten thousand word dissertation, applying for teacher training and to top it all off on the dreaded pred wean all at the same time! Cue tears, sleepless nights and stress by the bucket load. No I'm not writing this to moan, I wanted to highlight that university (especially third year) is kind of stressful while trying to combat Nephrotic Syndrome as well,  but its definitely not impossible! I mean i'm two years into my degree now and just so determined to do the best I possibly can despite this.

We all know that pred wean is not fun, but it does mean that I should be down to 10mg by Christmas so should be able to enjoy the festive period and write my essays in relative peace, if all goes to plan. but at the mo my head is spinning with all the stuff I'm trying to get done! I said it once and i'll say it again I refuse to let this all define me and I want to prove to the kids out there that we can still do all the cool things in life like go to uni and have independence despite of the path that our kidneys have laid out for us!

Not the longest blog i've ever written today, but I just wanted to talk quickly about the influences my experiences of this disease and you wonderful people have had on me. After a lot of being indecisive i've finally decided to apply for teacher training once I get my degree this year. Like most of the experiences i've read about i didn't get any support from my 6th form at the time of diagnosis (they gave me unauthorised absences the day after my dad told them I had been hospitalised)  and there was only one member of staff that really helped me. Due to this lack of support I've decided a career in teaching would allow me to positively impact on young peoples lives, especially those who may need a little more support. I'm pretty passionate about using creativity as an outlet for issues (Hello just look at this blog.)

I'm scared because this feels like a huge decision I'm making with a pred addled brain and my fears about where nephrotic syndrome will leave me in the future are constantly in the back of my head. However, I have to go for things in the here and now and I know deep down I cant see myself doing anything else.