9 years in the making

Today, rather unexpectedly, I found out I have a degree. You'd think that wouldn't be something that could sneak up and surprise you but it did.

I originally came to Edinburgh in 2002 to study Occupational Therapy at Queen Margaret's University College. That went fine for the first year and a half, then I got ill. I started fainting regularly, soon it was a few times a day and in time worsened until they were seizure-like but less frequent. I'd injure myself, I'd feel rotten most of the time and my concentration was none existent. The university told me that I couldn't do my work placement and it was decided I should have a year out whilst things got sorted. I had regular trips to A&E, the doctor referred me to a neurologist and I was poked, prodded, pumped with drugs and yet no one could give me a real diagnosis. I attempted to go back to uni but it seemed that path in my life was not meant to be.

Ill and unable to work, bored of sitting around all day, I decided to do a couple of courses on the Open University to fill my time. Slowly I began working towards a degree. It wasn't going to be in a named subject, it wouldn't have honours but my intention on coming to Edinburgh was to get a degree and I wasn't going to let a stupid illness or doctor's lack of help stop me. I fell down stairs, into roads, on to hot things, sharp things and hard things. My head was continually battered but somehow, I had to continue on.

In 2009 they finally diagnosed my condition as a blood pressure problem, diagnosed by a simple test that they failed to carry out 6 years earlier. Since then, I've been working hard to complete my degree. I thought I still needed to do one more course but last night, something odd happened. The website was telling me I could claim my degree....

Thinking it was a mistake, I waited and called them this morning. No mistake, I could use 30 points of credit from my diploma towards my degree without having to sacrifice the diploma as a qualification. I could indeed claim my Bsc Open (with specialism in Natural Sciences).

9 years since beginning the path towards a degree, I have achieved it. I couldn't have done it without the love and support of my fantastic friends and family who've been there for me, encouraging me, giving me hope when each suggested treatment failed, lifting me up (quite literally) when I fell down and laughing at me in the most loving way and most of all, for understanding.

It has all been a bit of a shock, I expected this to happen in October, not now. The "final" course has been paid for, so I'm still going to do it anyhow, but it means that I can do it with no pressure of needing to pass. Timing couldn't have been better as we traveled down to my parent's today to spend Christmas with them.

I will back-blip soon, but in other news, I also became an Auntie on Saturday evening. A very eventful few days all round.