The following story was written by the 2007 Second Wind STL Scholarship Recipient. She is delighted to share with you her first semester of college experiences.
Two Lungs, Two Years, Too Perfect
By Christena Gabehart
Transplaned 06/13/05
St. Louis Children's Hospital
My second year post-transplant couldn't be any more perfect if I had written it out in advance. So many dreams I never thought feasible, have finally become reality. My two- year post transplant party kicked off with a joint high school graduation party. Two impressive feats that both my family and myself, never thought we would be able witness. I got a wonderful summer off, but couldn't wait to set out on my most exciting adventure since receiving my double lung transplant; going to college. I set my sights for Western Kentucky University, an in-state school just over an hour and a half away from home. This new chapter in my life was sure to provide me with every chance available to use my newly found freedom and good health. I would be living on campus, going to classes, and taking part in campus life just like any other first year freshman. This was the first time I would go into a new situation and not be known for my "sickness", or even my transplant. I knew that cystic fibrosis and transplant would never be something I denied or didn't acknowledge, as I commend my medical history for making me the person I am today. But the difference between being known as the "sick girl" and the normal girl, who had a transplant two years ago, is quite astounding. The previous label used to limit me and what others thought of me; in the second equation, transplant was merely a factor, not the defining issue. I relished the thought of people actually being able to know me, and then learn of my transplant and medical history, rather than the other way around.
I am pleased to say that over-all, my first semester of college hasn't been anything out of the ordinary. I have enjoyed countless sporting events, campus activities and learned to live away from home. I have suffered the normal pangs of waking up before the sunrises to make it to class, being caught in storms on the way to class, and countless late nights of last minute study sessions and term papers. Of course, sometimes it wasn't so fun and it wasn't exactly easy, but all in all, I can't imagine college life any differently and I am just thrilled that I am able to experience it at all.
I was lucky enough to know a number of people attending WKU as a first year freshman, just like myself. Our previous friendships from high school have made for a much easier transition. Although I am blessed to be surrounded by a number of familiar faces, I have also begun to meet and befriend many new people. College has given me the opportunity to network and make so many new friends and connections. One of the best things about college is that you never have to look far to find a friend. There is always someone to hang out with, and something to do; even if that means studying. Even though I have met many new people, I have been extremely lucky to gain a close-knit group of friends who are genuinely concerned and interested in me as a person and they are always looking out for my well-being. Whether I am labeled as the sick girl or not, I still need to watch out for some things, and remain actively involved in my own health care. My friends are very respectful of this and many of them help and encourage me to stay on top of my health.
I love the freedom of living away from home and the gratification it brings to know that even after living 18 years with my mom and dad looking out for me, I can take care of myself. Now when I go to the doctor I know that my healthy report is a product of my own decisions and choices. It makes me strive harder to stay better, and I am prouder when I receive good news. Of course, I am not doing it all alone, and I would never want to discredit my amazing friends and family who continue to support me while away at college. There have been many late night phone calls to mom about one issue or another, but luckily, everything has worked out well.
My involvement with the medical field throughout my life has been a great factor in deciding my major in college, and ultimately, my long-term career goal. I have always known that I wanted to work with children. I have always loved being able to work with kids and help them with whatever I could. For a long time, this led me to seek a career as an elementary school teacher. I spent a great deal of my high school career volunteering with teachers and students of various grades, learning different teaching techniques and developmental issues. I applied for college with my major in early childhood education, solid and unquestioned. Over the past summer, something sparked in me, and I began to question what about teaching I liked. I knew that I loved children, and I loved teaching them, but I knew in my heart that I couldn't deny my own medical history and the tremendous role it has made in my life. I realized after some thinking, that I wanted to help and teach children who I could identify with. I decided that I wanted to be a child life specialist. Child life specialists work with chronically ill children and help them adapt, cope and understand their illness. Most children's hospitals have numerous child life specialists, often known as "play ladies" who come and play, or have distraction therapies with children while they are receiving treatments or undergoing procedures. One of the things I find most alluring about the job is getting to explain and teach children about their illness or certain procedures they might have to experience. Since this decision on a new career choice, I have chosen to major in child studies and minor in sociology. Over the upcoming summer, I am working full-time at a summer camp for chronically ill children, where I hope to get some first-hand experience with my future career path.
Living in the latter half of my second year post-transplant, I sometimes find it difficult to remember the life "before". That feeling quickly passes as I remember the life of oxygen tanks, countless treatments and my low quality of life. Every day I roll out of my college bed at the brink of dawn, I feel like crawling back in, but then I remember, just over two years ago, I couldn't crawl out of this bed, much less walk up the gigantic hill to class, or sit through a full day of college courses, or do any of the other college norms that I engage in every day, and upon this thought, I take a deep breath, praise God that I can, and welcome another day.