Autoimmune Disease

AUTOIMMUNE

“While looking at the thyroglobulin antibodies, Gabriella has been diagnosed with the early start of Hashimoto’s disease.” This...just...it took my breath away…we were able to get on the phone with him in order to understand what I need to do, if this is going to affect my active life, what supplements do I need to go and the pathway I have to take in order to get better.

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which is the butterfly gland in your neck, a lot of symptoms occur such as fatigue, achiness throughout the body, cold sensitivity to cold, slow heart rate, joint stiffness, muscle weakness and sensitivity to the heat. As a 21-year-old female, I have to admit that it does suck, but I am living through it. As of November 10th, I went back to TaeKwon-Do and just pushed myself day by day to get where I am today.

This year, I have been on multiple supplements such as Thyroid One, Calcium Magnesium, Fish Oil, Vitamin D, Digestive Enzymes, Lactoral Prime and Nettle Root. As of right now, on this present day, I feel 100 % better and that my mental, physical and emotional health is in better condition than it was before a muscle strain decided to ruin me for a period of time. On this very day, I am back to doing TaeKwon-Do, pushing myself every day and with the challenges, I never give up and tend to have perseverance to whatever crosses my way. On the bright side, I tried very hard not to lose the sense of humor that I’ve had but at the same time, the pain was trying to oversight my happiness as I try very hard to smile, laugh and even help my friend’s or anybody really that needed a smile on their face.

For how I handle this disease mentally, physically and emotionally, I still work out, participate in TaeKwon-Do and try to maintain a healthy gluten-free/dairy-free diet and where I see myself in the future with Hashimoto’s, it’s all about maintaining a healthy ongoing lifestyle and trying to get your head in the game with what you eat, what you do, what you drink and mainly, try not to have so much stress added onto you! As a matter of fact, I do have to keep up with the doctors in case if something goes wrong, they can always send me for bloodwork or to my medical doctor for more information. If I slack off medications, then my body starts to experience symptoms such as fatigue, achiness, depression, cold, sensitivity to cold, weight gain and even sensitivity to the heat.

Where I see myself going/being with this disease, hopefully continuing to better my mental, physical, emotional health and working on the diet so that way, I will not have problems in the near future. Last but not least, when juggling the responsibilities that get to me, I have no problem whatsoever because taking care of myself is mainly important overall. Actually, that goes for anybody really and let me tell you, it’s interesting not being like twenty-one year old’s out there who are experiencing diseases like me! As Dean Martin sings, “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head!”

Illustration by Saida Hmami

Gratitude

By Alva Blair | Editor-in-Chief

I walk these paths and feel like this courtyard is a little bit of heaven Regardless of the season, regardless of the reason I walk these paths and I am happy

In the summer the trees provide much needed shade and relief from broiling sun and oppressive humidity When there’s a breeze the green leaves frolic and bob and...sound happy

Students young and old gather on benches or mosey along

“crissing” and crossing the paths to get where they need to

Fall in the courtyard - a sight to behold Leaves turn red and yellow and let go of their stems and limbs to go floating to the ground or rolling around at the whim of the breeze And the pace of those walking the paths quicken

Winter comes and still I am happy Dry trunks and limbs and stems cast fascinating shapes and shadows on piles of snow that cover brown earth cut through by these paths

Warm air from mouths on faces hidden under puffy hoods or swaddled in knitted scarves clash with cold air and puff out like smoke And dissipate as bodies rush through the courtyard to get out of the cold

Then spring comes The profusion and intensity of blossoms quietly scream rebirth here in the courtyard Where students stroll, saunter, and ramble along paths where blooming flowers and weeds turn their faces to the sun And trees heavy with snowgoose and magnolia blossoms wait to shake and cause a free fall to make room for green leaves

I walk these paths A spring in my step, a smile on my face I feel happy

I feel a sense of gratitude

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

By Jania Jones | Senior Staff Writer

et’s be real here. When we are working we are often looking for every reason in the book to not have to continue on, from having to use the bathroom, to getting suddenly exhausted and needing a nap. A key example of this is the age old ‘getting too hungry to work.’

Now I’m not too sure if this counts as a legitimate life hack but having a quality snack near you while studying can create such a boost in productivity and energy levels. Not only do you get to subdue your hunger and munch on your favorite chips, but you get the opportunity to re-center your attention on your work with more precision.

If you want to get fancy and take it to the next level, you can choose foods that are high in the nutrients necessary for your brain to function and maximum capacity such as boiled eggs, and apples with peanut butter. Take it from me; this turns you from drowsy and distracted to meticulous and alert in an instant. And if it counts for anything, I am even snacking on mandarin oranges as I write this. Try it out, and have your life changed.

“ You can choose foods that are high in the nutrients necessary for your brain to function and maximum capacity such as boiled eggs, and apples with peanut butter. Take it from me. ”

Photo by Pexels-Any-Lane