Growing up with cystic fibrosis originally taught me that hospitals had billions of germs that would make me sick and that I needed to avoid them at all costs. As a result, I listened to those presumptions and avoided hospitals unless absolutely necessary. I couldn’t risk getting sick and losing time in school or for other activities that I cherished. I didn’t have a strong
passion for any particular subject in school that would inspire a career choice to study in college. Over the years, I loosely mentioned wanting to become a lawyer or a veterinarian to friends and family who asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I never really felt a strong passion to pursue either of those careers.
However, during my senior year of high school, I decided to take AP chemistry and AP psychology, which led me down a more targeted path. I decided I wanted to become a doctor. At first, I was concerned this profession couldn’t accommodate someone like me. I always worried about becoming sick after encountering even the most minute germs, which certainly does not align with a career in medicine. It was at this point, coincidentally, when I started taking a new drug, Trikafta®, and my health improved significantly. Up until this moment, I had anticipated a hospital stay and major sickness every two years. From kindergarten to sophomore year of high school, it was a guarantee that I would be in the hospital every other year. Entering my senior year, I knew that this was going to be that year I got sick. Fortunately, that never happened due to Trikafta and my increased compliance with treatments. I was finally confident in pursuing a career in healthcare.
Starting college at the University of Kentucky as a biology major, I was still concerned about whether the healthcare industry would accept me with CF. Even though I was enjoying my classes, this concern lingered. One major part of applying for medical school is shadowing doctors beforehand. However, I was so worried about professionals in the medical world telling me that becoming a doctor with CF was impossible that I put off this necessary activity until I was a sophomore in college. I was worried that a field I fell in love with wouldn’t be able to love me back. The opposite couldn’t be truer. Shadowing doctors over the past year proved to me how necessary I could be to the medical world. I have immense experience with frequenting the hospital growing up and how this affects a patient. This makes me extremely empathetic toward others in that situation, which is a highly desired quality in good doctors.
There were reminders of my health throughout this journey as well. During one shadowing experience, I felt a little off and forgot to eat that morning; so I inevitably I passed out. I felt so embarrassed, worried the doctor would perceive me differently, and I began to worry that healthcare was an impossible career choice for me. These feelings were completely squashed when the doctor was extremely kind, made sure I was alright and explained that this was a normal experience. I learned that even though I’m pursuing such a difficult ambition, I need to pay just as much attention to my body.
Since then, I have realized that I can pursue a career in medicine with CF, but I need to give my health and mind the attention they deserve. Having CF can push my health to the limit if I am lacking in my health routines. Now, as a junior neuroscience major, I have really found my passion at the University of Kentucky. I have also started an undergraduate research position, which has further deepened my passion for medicine. One thing I wish I knew going into university was how important it is to balance education and health for someone with CF pursuing higher education. I unfortunately took my health for granted during my freshman year, which made studying difficult at times when I felt sick. I’ve learned that I need to take the time to ensure that my body and health are taken care of just as much — or even more — as the time I devote to my studies. The results I see in my education are only as good as the work I put into maintaining my health.
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