Oh dear god, where do I start? Ok...life was suppose to go like this..
Work for a year to save for tuition
Study music at York University for four years
Become a professional musician (vocals, trombone and keyboards)
Also become a teacher and live a happy, trouble free life.
The reality?.....
Started to work for a year to save for tuition when I got so sick I nearly died.
Was diagnosed with UC, after multiple surgeries, dying, and being unemployed for over five years, I was left in a heap of debt with no way to pay it off.
Was too ill and too broke to attend university, so went to collage instead as a medical laboratory technician. From there, struggled between sever flare ups and stagnant unemployment, until I finally got in the hospital I now work. But then, got sick gain, and again, and again.
So, to summarize, I was denied the opportunity to attend university, and instead of being the free spirit and travel the world like I desperately wanted, I've missed pretty much every major opportunity that came my way because I was just too sick to enjoy it. Dare I say, this bloody disease, and the diseases it caused, has all but destroyed my life!
Now...with all that said, who's life turns out exactly the way they planned? Yes, my health is crap, and my future very uncertain, but, I've met so many wonderful people because of my UC, found a job I love, because of my UC (had I not gotten sick, I'd have never considered a career in health care). I'd have never known who my true friends were had it not been for my UC (when push comes to shove, you discover who your real friends are). I wouldn't have my you my darling Sharon, and Jan, and Judy, and Kathy, and Shell (and that hunk hubby of hers!), and Bill, and Dave, and...well, I'll be writing all day. You are all my family (sorry if I didn't write your name, it's just too many people). You've seen me through the most difficult times of my life, and made me smile when I wanted to cry.
So.....I guess, to answer the original question, UC has taken away so many things I can't even begin count them all. BUT, it has also given me everything. Life really is a journey, you never know where it's going to take you, but knowing I have all of you, supporting me, and I you makes all the difference in the world. Had it not been for my UC, I'd be going it alone through life, but now, I'll never, ever, be truly alone, and that's a wonderful thing, probably, the best thing, anyone could ever ask for. xoxo to you all.