2019 year in review

I wasn’t as active here as I wanted to be in 2019 and for 2020 I hope to change that. Last year was...interesting, to say the least. In fact it was really quite bad if I must admit it. I barely had time to do much of anything, including writing. Here’s to hoping for 2020 to be better!

Here’s a 2019 year in review:

January:
-Had a small stroke/migraine duo and couldn’t see for nearly two weeks, got a new prescription for glasses and started PT to strengthen my already weak right side.
-Kits formal introduction post
-2018 year in review
- I asked for help with the college search (thank you for all your input!)
- I created some of my favorite illustrations from the year

February:
-I was sick most of it with a cold
-During February vacation I was able to see some friends and begin some writing projects as well as participate in an art challenge that pushed me out of my comfort zone
-The day after February break I had a coughing fit that kickstarted my stridor again :(
-Officially diagnosed with laryngeal Dystonia

March:
-My 18th Birthday!
-Did March Meet The Maker on Instagram
-Announced the new diagnosis here
-Continued to work on writing and comic pieces
-Joined an art contest
- Stridor continues

April:
-Went on some college visits during April vacation
- Worked on my landscape skills
-Had lots of appointments
-Saw some friends during April break

May:
-Admitted to the PICU for 4 days as my stridor/vcd/vcp was getting to the point of concern and I needed more monitoring.
-Stayed on the regular floor for another two days and met with SLP about swallowing and dysphasia
-Met with the director of the Boston Children’s movement disorder clinic for the first time who ordered some genetic testing
-Participated in MerMay on Instagram
-Had a botox injection series into my vocal cords and bronchoscope that caused me to wake up in respiratory distress
-PICU admission round 2
-Had a swallow study that showed dysmotility of the esophagus and mild April toon
-Lost my voice for a solid three months
-Health update post

June:
-Somehow finished junior year
-More writing finally!!
-Officially quit my job as it was quite literally killing me
- Summer plans were underway
-A bit of info about pride
-It was the five year anniversary of the day I got sick which happened to be my last day of school...that was a day of mixed emotions to say the least

July:
-More writing again!
-Valan meets some old friends of Neloths and goes on some adventures
-Massart illustration program with the former art director of the New Yorker magazine it was very enjoyable and he was very impressed with my work
-MFA design program was ok but MassArt was much more fun
-My voice finally started to come back a little
-Saw a close friend while they were doing a program at RISD

August:
-Senior year started
-I wrote about my top 10 Disability blogs
-More art experiments and college visits
-Launched my Redbubble shop
-Had my first Dystonic Storm after an endoscopy that lasted for more than three hours
-PICU stay 3/3 for said storm
-More appointments scheduled
-Saw a close friend at RISD again

September:
-Senior year was underway so I wasn’t super active here but I worked on some more things behind the scenes
- A little announcement about my Instagram
- Got my first Redbubble sales

October:
-Participated in Inktober 2019
-Made more sales
-Made it through the first term of Senior year
-Sent of college applications
-Made Halloween art
-Saw NeuroGI

November:
- Had my first college deadline
-Fluffy writing I did over the summer (more fluff to come)
-Had an interview at Bowdoin and taught a neuroscience class about my weird disorders for 15 minutes...They were impressed to say the least
-Had a Redbubble shop update with holiday pieces
-Worked on more writing WIPs
-Had another ER trip that scared everyone because they though I was having another stroke
-Got diagnosed with Hemiplegic migraine

December:
-Wrote about the reality of chronic illness
-Had a cold for most of the month
-Saw neurology for an end of year check in
-Scheduled more appointments
-Played in our annual winter concert
-Had a mostly nice holiday and ate lots of food

It was a very hectic year as you can probably tell. Hopefully I’ll be more active on here in the year to come and stay out of the ER and PICU!!

Until next time,
Max