Part 1

The Lord opens and closes so many doors in our lives. As I began to recover from being so sick, I went to see my OB doctor. The conclusion that the doctor came to in Michigan was that I had gotten my pancreatitis from a pill, Sprintec. I was put on these pills for female problems and was on them a year and I absolutely loved them! The doctor told me that I had the pancreatitis longer than when they discovered it. That was my Sr. year in high school. The whole year I was pretty much sick. I did not let much keep me down though as I am a BIG sports fanatic!!!! Right after graduation was when I was diagnosed with the pancreatitis. It definitely put a damper in my spirits as I had plans to go to college in the fall and play sports. I had already spoken with the coaches and had tried out and everything! I was very disappointed when I learned that I might have to wait on college AND sports. The sports part of course devastated me!  I had been training and staying in what I thought was good, healthy shape. Only come to find out that I was NOT healthy at all! So I had to face the reality that I might have to put my plans on hold. That is when Dr. Carpenter(GI Doctor) came into the picture :) He gave me my life back. He took care of me like I was his own daughter and would advise us on tests and procedures that he would only consider for his own children. Amazing doe not even describe this man. You could just tell when he walked into the room that he was a Christian and that there was something different about him. God used him to help me tackle great lengths and goals that I did not even think possible. I was able to go to college that fall semester and play volleyball. It was unbelievable!! I never dreamed in May that I would even consider about going to college, much less playing sports!! I still had to maintain a very strict diet and take medicine everyday, but other than that I was free to go!! I was one happy girl :) It was still hard to go to college (even though it was only one hour away) and leave all my family and friends but I was still thrilled and excited. I made lifelong friends in my roommates and suite mates. They took care of me when I was not feeling well and could not have the comfort of my Mom to be there with me. Obviously no one can take care of you like your Mom ;) I had many good times and made countless memories with those girls, but God had another plan in mind for me..... As I got going with college and volleyball, I started to not feel well again. I was having terrible pain and some days I could hardly move. One night it was so bad I had to go to the ER. My sister and her husband rushed down to take me and be with me till my mom and dad could get there. After a long, miserable night in the ER they sent me home without any explanation and in as much pain as when I arrived. We made the decision that I would go home to see my doctor. After an ultrasound the doctor said I had had a rather large cyst on my right ovary that had ruptured. A couple weeks later another and then another. My right ovary was starting to shut down and do nothing but cause me pain. In October of 2012 I had my laproscopic surgery. They removed cysts from my right ovary, scar tissues, endometriosis, and installed a Mirena IUD. The day before the surgery they gave me a hormonal injection to help with my cycles. I was very emotional because I had to miss a lot of college and I did not get to play in the last couple of volleyball games. We thought for sure this would do the trick but after the surgery it got worse. I started having pancreatitis attacks and would end up in the ER two and sometimes three times a month. I was not able to go back to college that January because I was so bad off. In the midst of all of this I was trying to focus on the good and stay positive but it was so difficult. Little did I know then that God had better and bigger things in store for me :) It was in October that I met the man of my dreams and I knew it from the first time I saw his picture. We began to talk in October 2012 and he visited during Thanksgiving. In December I visited him and his family after Christmas and in January 2013 he came back when I became very ill. He surprised me with the visit :) I had had another severe attack and was feeling pretty low. I remember it perfectly! I was supposed to facetime with him and was waiting for him to call when my dad kept asking me to some into the living room to see something. Well I was NOT going to miss his call so I was trying not to go in there. But little did I know, Justin was sitting in there!! I finally went into the living room and was soooo surprised. I could not believe it!! I threw my arms around him and hugged and hugged him. ( Now I am not much for one for crying, but I will confess I did tear up a little) It was like a dream come true that he was there. A long distance relationship is hard enough but being sick the whole time made it even harder. But looking back, I would not trade a minute of it :) He surprised me the day before my birthday in February and proposed to me. It was like a proposal out of a fairy tale. The beach, a trail of rose petals, a treasure chest, a love note in a glass bottle, and then him sneaking up behind me with the ring and getting down on one knee and asking me to be his wife, FOREVER!! Of course I said yes :) He was my knight and shining armor when I least expected it. Without him I do not think I could have gotten through some of those long, painful nights. I am such a sap, I am tearing up now just reminiscing about it. God put the RIGHT man there for me and knew exactly what I needed. I could not imagine my life without him in it. He has taken and takes good care of me, far above what I deserve. He is one of the most selfless people I know and sacrifices for me daily. Justin is the love of my life and I never want anyone else :) We were married in August this year. It was a short courtship/engagement but I would not change it or trade it for anything in this world!!