It's been awhile, but need to vent about college and IBD...

Hi! I hope everyone is doing well. It's been a long time since I've posted, but I was so sick this winter and spring, that I didn't even have energy to turn on my computer. I have been flaring up now for over one year. I transitioned from pediatric to adult care, and adult care absolutely sucks. The only thing the doctors want to do is give me prednisone, which doesn't work for me. I have disease in my colon, so I have been losing blood from my GI tract for over a year. Over the winter my hemoglobin was around a high 7 to a low 8. I was exhausted. Finally I went to see a hematologist, and he gave me iron infusions since the GI doctors wouldn't do anything. My hemoglobin reached a 12, and I am on the way back down again. The hematologist said we could set up maintenance infusions, which I think I am going to have to do.

Because of all my medical appointments and hospitalizations, I had to withdraw from all but one class in college. I decided to keep one class that was unrelated to my major just so I could have something to do, and have a chance to be around people rather than sitting at home by myself. I missed a lot of class and I don't think my memory was working normally because of the IBD and anemia. I ended up earning a C- in the class. This gave me a GPA of 1.75, since I had just transferred to the university that winter, and this is the only grade I have there. I have to have a GPA of 2.00 to be in good academic standing, so now I am on academic probation. Maybe if I had been thinking clearly, I would have realized that keeping even that one class might be a bad idea, but I had to push myself and try. Since I am on academic probation I get no financial aid and I have to go to these stupid meetings with an "academic retention specialist." I feel like such a loser. I probably shouldn't have taken even one class, but then I would be so lonely at home, and probably die of boredom. The only thing I have learned from this is that i will never do anything again unless i am sure i will be successful.

I hate that I have to waste my time and what little energy i have going to these meetings with an academic retention specialist because my problem isn't academic, it's medical. I am going into my fourth year of college, and my GPA has always been above a 3.00. I don't have issues with time management, studying, test taking, partying, etc. I guess I am really frustrated and angry, especially at the doctors since they are the ones that have the power to fix me but just don't care. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Hi Jellybean,

I am new here and felt really compelled to respond to your post.  I am so sorry that this past year has been so difficult for you.  I fortunately did not have crohn's while I was in college however I was a single teenage mother.  I understand how hard it can be to juggle what life throws at you while trying to attend college.  I do not know how much advocating you have done for yourself.  Have you met with your professor for the class you received the C- in?  Have you met with your acedmic advisor for your major?  Believe me nothing is ever written in stone.  There is always a loop hole to make things better. The college wants you to as well as you can because it ultimately looks good for them.  Speak with the professor from the class you recived the C- in.  They may be willing to give you an extra paper to write to bring your grade up to a C.  Most colleges will make exceptions for their students who have extenuating circumstances you just need to ask.  Bring your medical records to meet with your advisor and have whom ever you can get write you letters of support.    If you need to play a chelo rather than a violin to plead your case, do so.  There is no shame in it, this is your acedmic future you are talking about.  I know all about the playing the chelo :)  Good Luck!!