Three liters of fluid were pumped into me and five vials of blood were taken. I was mentally struggling to overcome all the challenges I had been faced with. The annoyance of not knowing what was wrong with me was exhausting. But after several tests and a few days of torturous waiting, the problem was discovered. I had salmonella poisoning from eating raw cookie dough. From December 2014 to August 2015 I was constantly having issues with my stomach. During those few months,  I was admitted into the emergency room and received an upper endoscopy procedure. I was prescribed pills upon pills, but that was not the worst part.

I continuously had cramping and stomach aches, and no one understood the pain that took my strength away daily. I found it difficult to explain how I felt. During this experience, I struggled to push myself forward out of the pain and suffering. Frustration was constantly something I dealt with because I felt I was holding back my friends from going out and having fun, so I would stay home alone. I wasn’t able to go out to dinner or even watch a movie because my stomach caused me a great deal of pain.

All I wanted was to be a normal teenage girl again. During the time I spent alone, I found myself reflecting on how I lived my life and what I was doing with it because, frankly, I was depressed. I never told anyone, in fear that it would be seen as another burden on top of all the medical bills I had already racked up. My friends and family knew nothing about the way that I was feeling each day.

I decided to change how I lived each day. I tried to see life in a more positive light and not look at the negatives, but to recognize what I am blessed with. I began to realize I am fortunate to have a safe home, a loving and supportive family and amazing friends. All these wonderful things pushed me to become the new and improved person I am today. Daily I try to be more optimistic about situations that life throws at me. So, thank you to everyone who helped me become happy again and live a life I know I can stay happy in. Do what makes you happy and remember, don’t eat raw cookie dough.