Message Boards for the CF Trust

Replies: 14 Pages: 1

pinkfizz

Posts: 7
From: Essex
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Hi, new here
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 21:29

Reply

Hi all, this is the first time I've posted though i've been reading what you all have to say for a good while now. Frankly i didn't really want my first post to be a negative one but i'm not sure who else to ask.
I'm 18 and this year has been rather tough, with reoccurrent chest infections and the death of my grandad in september, i've not been my usual self. The reason i'm posting now is that i started college this year doing a foundation art course and they are now talking about appying to uni.
I see my friends from school having a great time at uni and i sorry to say i feel a tiny bit jealous, I'd love to give it a go and I'm fed up of feeling like i'm wasting my life, howver, after having just spent another day at home cos i've woken up too late and felt terrible, i'm wondering if this is at all possible.
Also, the degree i'd like to do, possibly 3-d design involves quite a lot of studio time, i wonder if i'd be better off doing something less physical like art history. If theres anyone out there whos done the foundation course or an art-based degree it would be great to hear from you.
I've spoken to my mum and dad and they're are prepared to help me whatever way they can. My tutors howver don't really seem to get that this isn't just a blip, I'm not gonna get much better :S
I hope everyones ok
jo
xxx

Darkies Gem

Posts: 89
From: Doncaster, UK
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 12-Dec-2006 22:04

Reply

Hey hun, just thought I'd say hello and welcome to the site. Don't know much about Uni.
I know it's just been discussed thoroughly in the CFTalk magazine, I'm sure someone can tell you how to get a copy, and as a lot of people who wrote in there come on here, I'm sure there will be someone along who can give you some advise

BTW, Very cool name! It makes me think of pink sherbert, which can only be good

average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 00:01

Reply

Hi Jo

I went to uni in Brighton to study music, having completed my foundation art back home. I went to get a taste of the 'real world' and for a change of scenery and experience. I was ok with the CF side of things for the first year and a half (I was pretty well when I went mind) but it went downhill fast after then. I missed a lot of lectures and practical lessons and failed to stay on top of my treatment. I had to leave Brighton for hospital and home regularly.

Its horrible watching all your mates going out enjoying nights out, parties and booze knowing that you cannot really join in. I tried to keep up, it was stupid. The temptation to party with my mates was too strong and Im now paying for it. Regular infections and IVs are more frequent than before, but to tell you the truth, I dont regret a minute of it. I'd say you have to do what you want to do. I told the uni about my CF and they were very understanding about it, and I battled through to finish as scheduled with a 2:1. Result!!

Im now spending a lot of time back home when I wish I was still in Brighton. I get to go down for a couple weeks at a time to see my mates and girlfriend and play with my band, but find I always need to get home to recoup for a minimum of 2 weeks after (that given im not in hospital instead!)

My advice would be to do what you want to do. If things dont go to plan and uni gets too much to cope with, you can always go home. It would be worse to regret not following your ambitions.

hope this has helped!

average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 00:08

Reply

actually, I really feel for you. I went through exactly the same thing youre going through. It isnt easy to know whats best to do, you just got to try it out for size!
mikey

Lil Raver

Posts: 73
From: ma house
Registered: 08-Nov-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 19:48

Reply

Hi Pinkfizz,

welcome to the boards, hope u find them usfull,

Take Care,

James H.

pinkfizz

Posts: 7
From: Essex
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 19:48

Reply

Hi, thanks for your replies, its good to know there's people out there on the same wavelength,
darkies gem: yeah ive got the new cftalk, it was really good, i love bill bryson lol. It had some good stuff to think about in there and it was intresting reading about the two different stories of going to uni and not going. Also btw, i agree sherbert is great, especially those dib dabs you get, nice.
average mike: thanks for the advice,

i'm starting to think thast maybe i could do it, most of the time i think "yeah that would be fine", then others i think "arrgh, its impossible!" you have a good point about giving it a go though, i spose theres no harm in trying! if you dont mind me asking, how did you find staying away from home and managing treatment?
thanks both of you for the replies,
jo
xxx

Mc Clarey

Posts: 3
From: Peterborough/ Canterbury
Registered: 13-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 21:09

Reply

Hey pinkfizz!
Thaught i'd reply , although im not sure exactly how much help I can be.
I'm currently in my second year of a sociology degree at Kent university- which is about 3 hours from home!
My first year went really well. I managed to keep up with my coursework and the endless parties, whilst my health stayed preety good. I tried to time my ivs for the holidays which ment I only had to do one course during term time.
However, this year has been far more difficult. My health went down hill from the middle of October, I've just got out of hosital for the 3rd time this term and finished a 5 week course of ivs. Whether this has to do with being at uni or not I dont know. But even so, despite missing about 70% of my lectures this term and almost every seminar, i'm not as behind as I thaught I would be.
Universities are usually really good with people with any kind of disability. I always get extentions on my work if I need them (although im usually too stubborn to use them!).
I would say if you want to go and your health is ok then go for it, its better to try than to regret not going- thats the way I see it anyway. Since been at uni ive made some amazing friends (who have been VERY supportive) and had the best time. Even when i've been feeling really rough and its crossed my mind to just leave, somethings always happened which has made me want to stay!
I cant really help with the course you want though, but if you apply to universities and look around you can always ask about how much work will be required of you, and whether you would be able to swap your course if you find it to much.
Well this has been very long sorry!
Feel free to email me if you want

Clarey xx

average mike

Posts: 13
From: Brighton/Taunton
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 13-Dec-2006 21:35

Reply

Hey pinkfizz

Truthfully, I really neglected my treatment. Physio and nebs were left out far too often. It wasnt that I was avoiding doing them, more that I was in a house share with 4 other people (NOT IDEAL BTW) and there was always more interesting things happening. I wish I had been more disciplined and done it all as youre supposed, as my health has definately come out significantly worse the other side of uni. But as I said, I dont regret anything. It was never what you could call easy, but it was fun (when I could enjoy it). If you discipline yourself to do all your treatment, I think you should 100% consider it. feel free to ask me anything by the way!!

Good luck

pinkfizz

Posts: 7
From: Essex
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 15:42

Reply

thanks clarey, its good to know that unis will try and help, who did you have to ask? did your tutors help you out with missed work and stuff?
thanks mike, am now investingating art history, slightly less physical than the 3-d degrees, yesterday at college i sopent the afternoon hitting a bit of copper with a hammer, fun, but rather tiring lol!
thanks for evryones support

Oli

Posts: 201
From: Milton Keynes, England
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 15:47

Reply

Hey Jo,

Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the boards, really.

I don't have much to add on the uni debate, except to say that I didn't go to uni and I don't regret it for a second.

It was a tough decision, but I knew at the time that I wouldn't be disciplined enough to look after myself properly and so would be endangering my health by going. As it happens, things worked out great for me career-wise not going to uni, but it's easy to see that from after the fact.

The most important thing, it seems to me, is that you've got the support of your Mum and Dad in whatever you choose to do. With good support behind you, you can achieve so much - so don't take it for granted.

And, as I said in Talk, whatever you choose, make sure you have courage in your convictions and dedicate yourself to doing it right.

pinkfizz

Posts: 7
From: Essex
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 15:55

Reply

Hi oli, thanks for the reply.
I'm going to look in to what i could do with the qualifications ive already got too, and yes, my mum and dad have been as big support, i know im very lucky to have them

hope you are all keeping well,
jo
xxx

mookymc

Posts: 22
From: ayrshire
Registered: 27-Nov-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 16:32

Reply

hi there , just thought i would say hello, am 26,the best thing u can do go and do somthing , my mistake i never, i sat on my **** 2 long,u will reap the rewards, physically and socially. im waiting for tx now , once i get it is rewind the clock time for me. hope that helps .mookymc xx

Mc Clarey

Posts: 3
From: Peterborough/ Canterbury
Registered: 13-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 19:35

Reply

Hey Pinkfizz,
I was contacted by my universities disability support unit before I started, as i'd put on the forms that I had cf. They asked if I needed any extra help, but at the time I didn't. I also have a personal tutor (as does everyone)who you can see if you have any general problems or, if its a specific thing related to a module im taking. I can also arrange to meet up with the individual lecturers during their office hours and they will fill me in on all the work I have missed! I guess I am quite lucky that there is a lot of support at my uni.
Would you want to go to one away from home and stay in halls or stay at home and commute in?
Spending the afternoon hitting a bit of copper with a hammer sounds...interesting! lol
x

SamT

Posts: 8
From: Suffolk
Registered: 05-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 15-Dec-2006 18:22

Reply

Hi there, I didn't go to uni, and now i'm nearly 40 I'm wondering if I missed an fun/important bit. I think you should study what you acually want to and not what you think will be more convenient for the uni. They have to consider you academically and not physically and if it takes an extra year, because of missed time, then let it. Go with the flow and enjoy every minute you can. If you plan well like others have done, then you will get through it. Don't be put it off because its hard. Time flies and you'll have your degree before you know it!
Stay well and good luck with your decisions xxxx

pinkfizz

Posts: 7
From: Essex
Registered: 12-Dec-2006

Re: Hi, new here
Posted: 16-Dec-2006 17:15

Reply

hi eberyone, thanks for all your replies, im much more positive about this now,
take all, have a good christmas and stay well
xxx