Closing a Chapter!

A lot has happened since I last wrote -- the biggest being that I graduated (!), which was such an exciting and monumental accomplishment after everything I have been through. Honestly if you had told me in 2021 when everything happened to me in the ICU, I never would have believed I would get to this day. I graduated a semester behind, which is almost a miracle because my ICU experience caused me to withdraw from all classes that semester and underload the subsequent semesters. Graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and having gone through everything I did and still graduating in 2024 feels so rewarding. I told my parents that because I was graduating in December without the friends I spent most of my college experience with, I didn't actually want to go to the fall graduation. Instead, we threw a big graduation party at Pantana Bobs with all of my loved ones, family, friends, and mentors. I know, what a funny spot to have a grad party at! But the thing is, Pantana Bobs is a special place to my family because of my cousin Bradley, who we had lost in 2022. He worked at Bobs while he was at UNC. When we lost Bradley a little over two years ago, my uncle gave me his UNC tassel for me to wear when I graduated. I was proud to wear his tassel, knowing that he was with me. So it felt right to have a party there, because I know he would have loved it. 

It was a fun grad party. I was surrounded by everyone that had been with me along the way, and had helped me get to this point in life. It was more of a celebration for all that I've overcome to be able to graduate. Even my surgeon, who kept me alive when they didn't think I would make it, stopped by and that in itself was amazing. She is the busiest person out there, and she still took the time to come and give me a hug. I was almost in tears seeing her, especially when she told me how proud she was of me. They all called me their miracle patient when I was in the hospital, because quite honestly no one knew if I was going to make it when I was in the ICU in 2021. And to be able to say that I've graduated is a miracle in itself. To me, Dr. A isn't just a surgeon. She is my hero and my savior, and I know for a fact I would not be here today without her. My parents and family put their faith in her that one scary day in 2021, and we have ever since. Even this April when Dr. A operated on me again, I had never felt safer and more relief knowing that I was in her hands. You can't say that about many surgeons, but I know that my family has never felt better than we were under Dr. A's care. My entire family, loved ones, mentors, and friends came to my graduation party and it was just so amazing to be able to see everyone I care so much about all at once. 

This day wasn't just about celebrating graduating from UNC, but it was also about me being healthy enough to make it to this day, getting through all of the health struggles I have faced and currently face, applying to and awaiting a response from graduate school, and beginning my newly full-time job with Carolina Men's Basketball. A whole lot to celebrate if you ask me. And the coolest part is that the most influential people in my life were there to celebrate with me. It was a heartwarming day. 

Most of you know that Carolina Men's Basketball has been one thing that has gotten me through each of my surgeries and medical challenges over the years. I would sit in my hospital rooms and look forward to watching the next Carolina Men's Basketball game from the little TV right in front of my hospital bed. Even when I threw up five liters of bile, I still sat there with the UNC game on. It gave me so much joy. When Coach Hubert Davis and Leslie Davis offered me a full-time job I didn't even have to think about it -- it was an immediate yes. They have been some of my rocks through it all, and I am so grateful for all that they have done for me. The entire Carolina Men's Basketball family has been there for me through some really dark and scary moments and I am so lucky to be apart of something so supportive and enjoyable. Everyone here is truly amazing, and it makes me so happy to come to work every single day. It truly is a family and I am so happy to be part of it.

I've come a long way since all my medical challenges began. There is still a lot that I still deal with daily because of the damage that my botched procedure in 2021 left me. I have weekly 4-hr infusions, constant doctor's visits, alarmingly low potassium, impaired kidney function, and routine blood draws, procedures, and injections. But I guess one good thing about having so many surgeries is that a few needles every week is nothing to me haha. With all I've been through I hope more than anything that my story can give hope and courage to others struggling, because I firmly believe that things can get better. It just takes having some strength, patience, and hope along the way. As I enter the next chapter of my life, I plan to continue sharing my story to advocate for others that have been stricken with such horrific health struggles. It's never easy to go through these challenges, but just know that you are not alone. Just try and take things one day at a time, always. It's what gets me through each day. 

Until next time! LewLew Whayne