Sabrem
New member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2010
- Messages
- 0
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- AUS
- State
- Queensland
- City
- Brisbane
Hey everyone,
My name is Brenton (Sabs is a nickname) and I am a 23 year old, Narcoleptic med student. I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy last year almost by accident while seeing a neurologist about my other "weird" symptoms. My journey started a year and a half ago and a lot of doctors dismissed my concerns as a "virus", depression or anxiety. Now, the neuro is looking at ALS.
Wellll.. I have to say I have never been one to get sick very often, and I certainly know what I virus is and how they work! I am also far from depressive and not particularly anxious either. Being progressively unwell for almost two years has taught me many things, including how to take joy out of the small things in life. I am, in general, a far happier person than I was 2 years ago.
I study medicine at a good university here in Queensland. I LOVE medicine, it is one of my passions. I am quite into social justice - I'd say I would like to one day go into politics, but I know even the cleanest come out dirty! Ironically, I always wanted to be a Neurologist. The brain fascinates me to no end - the nervous system is phenomenal. Right now, I am struggling to get 3-4 hours out of my days, and to walk more than 20 metres without sitting down for a long rest. Stairs are also a bit of an obstacle... but.. I could go on forever about symptoms. I LOVE violin. I teach only 3 students (more than enough for me right now), but I love teaching.
Right now I have a good medical team looking after me (finally), with a great general practitioner and two amazing specialists (sleep physician and a neuro). I am waiting for an MRI, an NCS and then the dreaded EMG. To tell the truth (and this may sound terrible to many people) I do not fear what the diagnosis is, only that I will not yet get an answer. Being in limbo is torture for me, not only because of the uncertainty in the future, but also because I am very hard on myself and will not give up on my dreams easily. A diagnosis may mean taking a different path in life, fulfilling different dreams... but I need to know my direction before a pick a path.
I have an amazing family. My partner, Mike, is the most supportive guy in the world. My mum would do anything for me, of course! I have an older brother and a younger sister (she's like a twin to me). I then also have two very young siblings... they are a constant source of joy in my life! They are growing up so fast!
Anyway... this is a bit of a long hello! I just thought I would tell everyone a little bit about me. This seems like a great community, with wonderful, supportive people.
My name is Brenton (Sabs is a nickname) and I am a 23 year old, Narcoleptic med student. I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy last year almost by accident while seeing a neurologist about my other "weird" symptoms. My journey started a year and a half ago and a lot of doctors dismissed my concerns as a "virus", depression or anxiety. Now, the neuro is looking at ALS.
Wellll.. I have to say I have never been one to get sick very often, and I certainly know what I virus is and how they work! I am also far from depressive and not particularly anxious either. Being progressively unwell for almost two years has taught me many things, including how to take joy out of the small things in life. I am, in general, a far happier person than I was 2 years ago.
I study medicine at a good university here in Queensland. I LOVE medicine, it is one of my passions. I am quite into social justice - I'd say I would like to one day go into politics, but I know even the cleanest come out dirty! Ironically, I always wanted to be a Neurologist. The brain fascinates me to no end - the nervous system is phenomenal. Right now, I am struggling to get 3-4 hours out of my days, and to walk more than 20 metres without sitting down for a long rest. Stairs are also a bit of an obstacle... but.. I could go on forever about symptoms. I LOVE violin. I teach only 3 students (more than enough for me right now), but I love teaching.
Right now I have a good medical team looking after me (finally), with a great general practitioner and two amazing specialists (sleep physician and a neuro). I am waiting for an MRI, an NCS and then the dreaded EMG. To tell the truth (and this may sound terrible to many people) I do not fear what the diagnosis is, only that I will not yet get an answer. Being in limbo is torture for me, not only because of the uncertainty in the future, but also because I am very hard on myself and will not give up on my dreams easily. A diagnosis may mean taking a different path in life, fulfilling different dreams... but I need to know my direction before a pick a path.
I have an amazing family. My partner, Mike, is the most supportive guy in the world. My mum would do anything for me, of course! I have an older brother and a younger sister (she's like a twin to me). I then also have two very young siblings... they are a constant source of joy in my life! They are growing up so fast!
Anyway... this is a bit of a long hello! I just thought I would tell everyone a little bit about me. This seems like a great community, with wonderful, supportive people.