When I imagined high school in eighth grade, I pictured playing basketball. My life had revolved around the sport since I was able to walk, and it was my passion. In the months leading up to tryouts, I was tired on and off the court--but I couldn't figure out why. Tryouts happened before Thanksgiving break, and when my name wasn't called to remain in the gym and receive a jersey, I was heartbroken. The next day was Thanksgiving, and I had to break the news to my whole family, who knew how much it meant to me.
My high school is driven by sports: our football team is a national powerhouse, and most students play a sport. By not playing one, I felt like an outcast. Come spring, I decided to join the lacrosse team. I thrived as a defenseman, but my season was cut short due to something I would have never expected. During a routine physical, my lifelong doctor took one look at me and said I looked sick. I was confused because I thought feeling tired was the norm for a transitioning high school student, and the joint pain was caused from lacrosse; however I got blood drawn to appease her. When the bloodwork came back a week later, I was called into her office to talk about the results. I will never forget the words that changed my life: “You have Lyme Disease and Mononucleosis.”
I was forced to stop the new sport I had found, and I felt lost. However, I began to understand the true reasons of my freshman year shortcomings in and out of school. Originally, I thought after a round of antibiotics the disease would be out of my body. I had no idea about the severity of Lyme Disease and the daunting symptoms it had. The endless morning conversations with my parents pleading them to let me sleep in rather than wake up and get ready for school. The one-on-one extra help in Geometry class after school that just didn't seem to help. The fatigue, the inability...
