Syreniti

From the day I was born, I have been in and out of doctors’ offices—from pediatricians to eye specialists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and endocrinologists. You name a doctor, and I have probably seen them. I was born with a large arachnoid cyst on my brain that caused my hydrocephalus. Technically, I’m not supposed to be here. My mom was told I might be stillborn or live in a vegetative state, yet here I am. I have beaten the odds.

Unlike most children, I always enjoyed going to the doctor. It wasn’t a scary place for me. Throughout my life, I have undergone numerous tests, from MRIs to X-rays and CT scans, and have had many surgeries.

I vividly remember my fourth surgery to fix a shunt malfunction, a procedure to repair the tubing that runs from my brain down my chest to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). During that time, my mom bought me a little purple and pink doctor’s kit with a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and other accessories. She has a picture of me ‘listening’ to my nurse’s heart with my stethoscope while she listened with hers. From that day on, I knew I wanted to be a pediatrician.

I want to help children and their parents, make them feel better, and do what I can to ease their fears. I strive to be an advocate who listens to them and educates them, just as I have learned from my own doctors. I know what it takes to be a good doctor because I have been fortunate enough to have many great ones.

When I graduated from high school, it finally hit me that I was going to college. When I started school at the University of Maine, I had no idea what to expect, and I quickly had to learn how to advocate for myself. I began as a biology major with a pre-med concentration. However, after semesters of struggling and trying everything to stay in that major—while also fighting to avoid academic suspension or dismissal—I reached the second semester of my third year and made a very difficult decision. I switched to General Studies, with the goal of still focusing on pre-medical studies, just with a less rigorous path.

Through all of this, I have learned to never give up and to always keep trying.

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Tell us about your journey with hydrocephalus!

Share your story of hope and perseverance with us! We will feature the amazing individuals in our community who are living life to the fullest, regardless of their condition! Stories are reviewed by our staff and posted on our website and through social media. Stories should be no more than 800 words long. Click here to submit your story today!

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For questions, email: info@hydroassoc.org with the subject line “Share Your Story”.