When I was five years old, I was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a disease that systematically disrupts

and shuts down your kidneys and bladder and leads to high cholesterol, swelling, and low blood protein

levels. I woke up one morning and my face was swollen. I was taken to the hospital, admitted immediately, and

diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. I had to have emergency surgery, and the only surgeon who specialized in

nephrotic syndrome happened to be in Austin, Texas at the time of my illness.For the next year I took strong

medication to help fight the disease and had to have my blood drawn every week, much to my dismay, for the

duration of my treatment. The medication I took included steroids and chemo-therapy. My body became dependent

on the steroids, so I had to take chemo to help gain my body’s natural function back. I’m sure my brother

didn’t complain either, as I would use my new steroid based strength against him quite often.

After surgery, the doctors urged me to adopt a healthier lifestyle which included a healthier diet and more

physical activity.

To this day I still play sports, still eat healthy foods, limit my junk food intake, and work out almost

every day.

The adjustment to chemo, steroids, blood work, and an entirely new lifestyle was hard, but it definitely paid

off in the end as I have been blessed to be healthy and strong ever since.