{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-story-js","path":"/story/glimmers-of-light-in-p/","result":{"pageContext":{"data":{"id":"-395e538b-5438-541c-b851-be0f690dd8f0","authorFirstName":"Peyton","storyTitle":"Glimmers of Light in Painful Endurance","photo":{"asset":{"url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/nr9digz2/production/3f749592f6f74081cb6e55d65688f54df6e695cc-1500x1000.jpg"}},"audio":null,"secondLanguageAudio":{"language":null,"audio":{"asset":{"url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/files/nr9digz2/production/f20043483fffab6cc617b42756c90fcd88996994.m4a"}}},"school":{"name":"High Point Regional High School","city":"Sussex","location":"New Jersey"},"tags":[],"_rawText":[{"_key":"3c95d6b22910","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"61663766fe660","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In the Summer of 2022, I was beginning my travel softball season. However, after 12 years of playing competitively, I realized that I wasn’t looking forward to it. At first I didn’t know why. However, I would later discover that my feelings were related to something unexpected. As I was pitching in my first game, I couldn’t focus on my team or the game in front of me. I began to have extreme nausea and pain running through my entire body. I had never felt anything like this before. When the inning was over, I ran to my mother to share what I was experiencing. She was very concerned because these symptoms were not typical for me. My symptoms later worsened to uncontrollable vomiting, and I was frightened."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"92669115c6d8","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ef8bee3737530","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"My condition progressively worsened. My mother took me to see various doctors with unique specialties, and each of them gave a different explanation as to why I was experiencing these symptoms. Yet, they offered no solutions to remedy my pain and discomfort. With each diagnosis, my condition remained the same or became worse. Since I didn’t understand my condition, I decided to end my softball season and focus on my health. The fact that I couldn’t play softball upset me immensely, but it also provided some relief. "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"97e36e8fd8fd","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"586deda844ad0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In September of 2022, my mother found a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system. We hoped that she could provide an explanation for my symptoms.  She eventually gave me a diagnosis: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA). Upon receiving a diagnosis, I felt like I was floating from bliss-- until she explained my condition to me. My doctor believed I developed SMA from my diet rapidly changing due to my celiac disease. SMA is a rare condition and if not treated, could be fatal. The only treatment that she suggested was to put on weight. I actually found this recommendation ironic, since my entire condition revolves around not being able to eat, digest, or keep food down normally. My doctors gave me numerous medications and suggestions for my symptoms."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0fa792e7e78a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"527649bca4ba0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In February of 2023, my mother and I went to a consultation with the surgeon recommended by my gastroenterologist. I expected to hear that this surgeon had the solution to my health issue and could fix it. Yet, I was quickly disappointed. The surgeon shared that there were three different surgery options, all of which would be risky. As my mother and I were driving home that afternoon, I broke down into tears explaining to her that I was tired of living in this uncertainty and pain. I expressed that I wanted to return to normal life. However, I quickly realized that I had much to be grateful for. "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fec92c9abd66","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3c9e3dab37a30","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"To this day, I still suffer from my condition. I hope that I will recover soon. However, I have come to realize that despite serious hardship and setbacks, I want to enjoy the opportunities and riches that life offers. The littlest joys that I didn’t acknowledge months ago, such as being able to play the sport I love, learning new information at school, or even spending quality time with friends and family, now mean so much to me, since I am unable to experience them as I used to. Although I had previously encountered difficult circumstances that taught me valuable life lessons, my SMA condition has taught me the most significant: if you sit in a pit of despair, it’s crucial to recognize the glimmer of light that will shine on you. These bright moments can give you the strength you need to confront and overcome life’s challenges. You need to endure to get through the strenuous times and win your battles, like I insist on winning mine."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}}},"staticQueryHashes":["3309388390","890781507"]}