Stop Assuming Why I Miss So Much School!

“Nice of you to come to school today.” “Wow you didn’t skip school today, what is this 3 days you’ve been here out of the week? Good work!”

This is what I hear each time I come to school. People constantly treating me like I need a reward when I come to school. I’m writing this because this needs to come to an end. Please stop treating me like someone who just takes advantage of her education, or someone who needs rewarded for “showing up.” Therefore, I’m explaining to you my diagnosis.

This is for students, teachers, family, and friends.

Unless you really know me, you probably aren’t aware that I have severe stomach problems. It was revealed to me this year that I have 4 diagnosis. I’ve been missing a lot of school since I was in eighth grade. That’s when I started getting sick. But, I wasn’t diagnosed until now. I can’t even count how many doctors’ visits, hospital visits, tests, and medications that I’ve tried. No one was able to figure it out. For three years, I felt all on my own, trying to figure out why I was sick all of the time.

Little did I know, it was the food that I was eating that was affecting me so intensely. Let me explain my diagnosis to you. One of the illnesses that I’ve struggled with the most is severe acid reflux. In case you aren’t aware, acid reflux is a chronic digestive disease. This occurs when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe (esophagus). The reflux irritates the lining of your esophagus, causing me to vomit hours upon hours. Some people get this mildly (like when they eat something spicy they’ll get a stomachache). Others have it bad. I have it bad. The list of foods that I can’t eat go on forever with this illness. But some of the worst are caffeine, pizza, buffalo chicken dip, and fried foods (Sheetz).

Secondly, I have a gluten allergy. The doctors didn’t figure this out until about a month ago, (in my junior year of high school). I’ve been eating gluten all of my life! So my stomach is now very inflamed. It’s crazy how many foods have gluten in it. Like insane. So, my mom and I have been working on a new diet for me, but it takes time. Until now, I’ve never even read the ingredients of anything that I’ve eaten. Now, I can’t eat something until I do all my studies on the food! Some of the worst foods that I can’t eat with this would for sure be pastas and breads. They make gluten free pastas and breads but it’s nasty.

I have IBS as well. I’m not going to get into details with this one, but if you’re really curious, look it up. To sum it up, it means that I have abnormal colon contractions, causing really bad abdominal pain. Going out to eat is the worst with this because it’s hard to know everything they cook with, sauces and spices especially. The worst foods I have to avoid here would be processed and greasy foods like bacon.

Lastly, I’m lactose intolerant. This one isn’t too bad though because typically I don’t get sick unless I have a lot of dairy. I’m usually fine if I eat a little at a time. The worst thing with this is when I have a bad day, I can’t eat a tub of ice cream anymore.

You’re probably saying, “Then why don’t you just avoid those foods to feel better?” I’m trying. It’s very frustrating because typically I don’t know that I’m eating something that I’m not supposed to. With all of those diagnosis, it’s very hard to find foods with the right ingredients. The doctors have also figured out that my stomach issues flare up when I get anxious. I’m a highschool girl. Therefore, anxiety is a typical, everyday thing. See my struggle?

I’m not telling you all of this so that you feel bad for me. I’m telling you this to make you aware. You may find it silly that I’m sensitive to your comments. But, I’ve fought through these struggles for four years now. At times, it’s taken over my life.

Your comments are a constant reminder of my worries. What are colleges going to think about my attendance? What is the staff of the newspaper thinking as I miss school? What does my boss think when I have to call off? So please, refrain from your comments.

I know that my attendance isn’t great. But, I’m a really hard worker. I still manage to get all A’s and B’s. No, my diagnosis isn’t curable. But, I’m hoping for the best that I will feel better soon. We all go through tough times, and these past few years have been mine. So, to my fellow peers, teachers, friends, and family, please don’t make jokes about it. Please refrain from your comments, because I’m trying.