Challenge Accepted

At the time I was 1 of 5 in Michigan to be diagnosed with POTS.

Mayo Clinic had given me hope and the tools I’d need for an independent future.
That flight from Minnesota back to Michigan was a MOMENT in time.
Now, I felt like I was finally headed into the unknown with a sense of direction.

I was going to exercise.
I was going to eat salt.
I was going to be put to the test.
I was going to heal.

Once we arrived home my family and I created a “new norm”.
I followed a strict schedule with eating, sleeping and exercising six days of the week.
I went back to school. SLOWLY. We started with half days.
We found out quickly that my nervous system wasn’t in agreeance as much as we’d hoped it would be. I found at times I would function great for three days and then fall back into a lull for three more. Nonetheless, I remembered what my doctors had said.
“Time & patience”.

So, I kept pushing forward…

My new high school norm was :
Frequent visits to the office for salty snacks
Frequent visits to the sick room to lay down in the dark
Frequent visits to the bathroom
Frequent absence from class
Frequent at home learning, teach myself learning..frustrated learning.
Frequent absence from sports teams.
UGH

The biggest challenge was balancing stress levels. In addition to undergoing the stress of autonomic dysfunction daily, I had to face acceptance of losing all hopes of teenage normalcy (if that is even a thing?). Ask any adolescent. Stress IS their middle name. From biological, physiological and even emotional variables and factors adolescents are riding a constant wave of change. It is quite the balancing act.

…then toss POTS into the mix.
-I had my highs and lows.
Tachycardia, fainting spells, cognitive dysfunction, poor circulation, heat intolerance and fatigue were a common occurrence.

I learned that I HAD to keep a pro-active mindset. -keeping bouts of orthostatic intolerance, tachycardia and fainting at bay. I referenced that pink sheet my nurse had drafted frequently. Salting foods and trying to introduce appropriate autonomic function via exercise. I was given access to a few POTS support groups but found them to lack the positive support and knowledge I was looking for to heal (keep in mind this was in 2006, social media has much more to offer now). I had no certified coach or trainer to guide me through mindfulness, to coach me through exercise bouts or check in on nutrient intake.

What I had was, Mom.

My Mom gained several new rolls just as quickly as I did. She was a constant reminder to stay prepared, not to forget “x,y,z” but most importantly she was there when I couldn’t be. -During the lowest of the lows.

Needless to say, I had support; I wasn’t in this alone.

I made a pact with myself. This pact became my “why, my promise to myself that kept me motivated to adhere to my daily structure. To heal. To stay positive. To re-train my autonomic nervous system into full function.