Off To School And New Adventures

     "Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for man" 
-Collossians 3:23

     I started classes this week. I am taking two classes this quarter. Both are fire science classes with one being online and one in person. I went to my first in person class on Tuesday. I am not going to lie, I was extremely nervous. If there was going to be a day my health didn't cooperate, it'd be on a day I had class in a fire station. I am extremely excited to embark on this adventure. Now that I know what is going on inside me and have better control of it I feel more comfortable venturing out. I also figure if something is going to happen I'll be pretty safe in a room full of soon to be firefighters and paramedics. 

     Going to class took a lot of planning. I bought a backpack on Amazon that would fit all my books and Melvin the IV pump. After some modifications (cutting a hole in the side for tubing) the backpack worked out pretty well. And then I had to make sure I had all the emergency supplies (saline & heparin flushes, epi pens, alcohol wipes, green caps, extra batteries, benadryl, and all the other random stuff one would need). Oh how I miss the days where the stressful part of getting ready for class was what to wear. 

     Of course Melvin the IV pump decided to occlude and started beeping incredibly obnoxiously. After a quick dart from class into the hallway I found the kink in the line and fixed it. Melvin was then quiet for the rest of the evening. After class I went to speak with the instructor who was very intrigued. He honestly expected me to walk in with a full on IV pole. So I took Melvin out of my bag and explained how it works and all that jazz. It's always nice getting to educate people and not be judged. 

    One thing I was definitely not expecting with restarting class, was for reality to hit. For years my passion has been in EMS and becoming a paramedic. Now sitting in a room full of people younger than me on their way to paramedic and firefighting I was hit with overwhelming sorrow. The reality that my health has now gotten in the way of my dreams and passion hit me like a ton of bricks. I am mourning the person I used to be. And while I'm excited about the new career goal of 911 dispatching I am still saddened by the fact that I most likely not be able to return to the field. Well, on to new goals and adventures!

With Love,
Elizabeth <3