As a kid growing up I always heard the saying “Don't take anything for granted, anything can be taken away in a second.” I never truly thought through that statement, sure I would think about it but I didn't really believe anything could or would be taken away. I was once a “normal kid" playing with my travel softball team at a tournament. Everything was going like normal. I pitched a perfect game to get seeded higher for bracket play. What I didn't know to come that night would be my last game. Losing the game I love most, softball. Not only did I lose the game I loved most, but my "normal" life was starting to slip through my fingers right in front of me, and what I felt I had no control over. At first, I blew off my symptoms and thought "This has to pass soon." weeks went by and I wasn't better. Instead, I was admitted into hospitals, tests being run, lab work, sleepless nights, different treatments, etc. On top of laying in a hospital bed for what would seem like forever boredom, reality, confusion, pain, and all sorts of emotions started to hit me pretty hard. The one thing I never lost was my faith, my brother David, my family, and my friends for being there for me each step of the way.