I Graduated!

Class of 2015! 

 

It took a little longer than I had hoped, due to some health set backs and the fact that I could not take full a schedule. But I finally graduated from community college with my AA in the arts, my major being Psychology.

I know that getting an AA may not seem like that big of a deal or an accomplishment for some. But for me, it's a huge step towards a future that doctors (and even myself at some points) didn't think I'd live to have. Countless doctor appointments, hospital stays, tons of medication, two surgeries for a pacemaker/defibulator, thousands of blood draws and 4 open heart surgeries have all helped me get to this point in my life and I am forever grateful to every doctor, nurse, phlebotomist, X-Ray tech, ECHOE tech and respiratory therapist who has ever taken care of me.

But the two people whom I owe the biggest thank you to is my mom and dad. "I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you." is a common 'thank you' speech saying and at times can seem a bit cliche. But when it comes to my life, it is a very true statement. My parents saved my life. More than once. If I had not been adopted into this family, I would not have gotten the adequate medical care that the two of them fought so hard for me to get.

When I wanted to give up and no longer get anymore surgeries, they helped support me through it all. They were by my side every step of the way. They not only fought for my life but for my quality of life. They have done all that they can to make sure I have grown up feeling as "normal" and have as much joy in my life as possible. My parents have never lost hope for me and it is because of them that I never lost hope either. Every set back was met with a 'We will get through this' attitude.

Last year when I had to withdraw from school and take a semester off because of my health, my parents were the first ones to reassure me that I'd be able to go back and finish it. I was worried that I'd never get through school. I was ashamed that I had to take a semester off, like I was an embarrassment. It was my mom and dad who reassured me that I'd finish school and that this set back was not the end of my educational career.

My mom has a favorite saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." But when it comes to me she likes to edit it and say, "For Becca it has taken 6 different hospitals in 4 different states, 3 EP doctors,  2 Pediatric Cardiologist, 2 Pulmonary Hypertension specialists,  2 Pulmonologist, an amazing primary care physician, an allergist, countless of nurses, 4 cardiac surgeons, an amazing and supportive school system, a wonderful church family and countless of prayers."

And if it weren't for that whole "village" and wonderful family, I wouldn't even be alive to graduate. So thank you, to everyone who has been involved in my care over these past 22 years. I made it because of what you've done.

Becca