My past has challenged me, and my future will continue to show me just how much I've been blessed with. I wish for my experiences to inspire others to live a positive, healthy, and fulfilling life.

I graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Exercise Physiology & Kinesiology, and I wish to one day be a healthcare professional both clinically and in the world of public health. I am now a part of New York University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program concentrating in Healthcare Policy and Management, graduating in May 2019! I plan to use my science and medical background along with my studies in the business of healthcare to rid the healthcare system of inefficiencies, ultimately creating a more patient-centered and impactful environment.

Boy, has college been a roller coaster. I went into school thinking I was going to be a division one volleyball player, my absolute dream. Then my world was turned upside down by a multi-ligament knee injury (torn ACL, MCL, medial and lateral menisci, severe bone bruising/injury from joint dislocation). I went into my reconstruction surgery thinking "Okay, I'll be fine for next season," however that was just the beginning. About a week after my surgery, I was rushed through the emergency room of an NYC hospital, with an infection kindling through my body and basically eating its way through my leg. I was barely conscious, my system was shutting down. You can find out the timeline of my health story below.

Long story short, this resulted in 7 invasive knee surgeries over the course of only two years (2011-2013). Infection kept popping up, my knee was totally degenerated, and as a 20 year-old college student I could barely walk across my campus. I was not healthy, I was constantly on intravenous antibiotics, and I desperately wanted a normal life free of traveling in the middle of the semester to have more surgery. In July of 2014, I was lucky enough to be guided to New Jersey Regenerative Institute, to receive a cutting edge stem cell regenerative procedure using my own bone marrow to promote growth of my cartilage that the infection forcefully ate through. I needed a knee replacement, and with the autologous bone marrow procedure I received, along with many platelet-rich plasma injections and prolotherapy injections, I have been avoiding this unfortunate necessity for a total knee replacement for two years now. However from a decline in my quality of life from this condition, I have undergone this major total knee replacement operation on June 2nd, 2017. Currently, I am happy to report that it has changed my life to an unimaginable level for the better.

During and after all of this, I experienced very odd symptoms of debilitating full body fatigue, widespread and throbbing joint pain, chest pain, heart palpitations, burning full body rashes, gastrointestinal issues, and brain fog/cognitive impairment during my studies. Ultimately, in March of 2016, I was diagnosed with lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosis) after being tested positive for three auto-antibodies (basically where my immune system makes antibodies against my DNA). I have also more recently in 2017 been diagnosed with degenerative spondylitis and lumbar facet arthritis from autoimmune inflammation. They have now attributed the cause of the continuous septic staph infections post-operatively to lupus, and there is now a reason to all the madness. Although the symptoms increased in severity into adulthood, I was misdiagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis as a mere third grader after being tested positive for an autoimmune genetic marker.

My biggest takeaway...I WILL NOT LET THIS STOP ME. All this time, my experiences have not stopped me. And now that I know I have it, lupus will not stop me. Sure, apparently the only thing tough enough to kick my butt is myself (autoimmune pun intended), but that does not mean it will defeat me. As I've been through this journey, I turned greatly to my faith and lived by "Everything Happens for a Reason." It has pretty much been my punch line to everything. Although cliché, I overlooked the times of "why me," and I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. By having a positive mindset, I shadowed my orthopedic surgeon in New York City for two years, seeing live operations and learning how to interpret various scans and physical examinations all as an undergraduate student. I aided in sports medicine research at the Nicholas Institute for Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma, at the same hospital I had my surgeries. I helped them research preventative care for traumatic injuries and help them direct the New York Rangers Training and Development Camps each year. I was a physical therapy clinic aide for my therapist and an EMS first responder.

Now, I am a prominent member of the Lupus Foundation ofAmerica's Young Leadership Committee, and I have become a Community Ambassador on behalf of the Foundation. I worked at New Jersey Regenerative Institute as a Clinical Research Coordinator and Outreach Representative before going on to my MPH program. Through my struggles, these experiences and accomplishments may have never happened both for my career and for my personal growth.

I've learned that from having a positive attitude during the negative times, your outcome in the end will be tremendous. It will pay off. And no matter what you are going through, you understand that it is hard to have hope that it will be over. For anyone going through any downtime, keep yourself healthy physically, mentally and spiritually and you will come out on the other side. I hope this blog will provide a basis that will inspire all of you to live the most fulfilling and positive life that you can, and provide knowledge about the field of public health!

Lots of Love,
Brittany

My Health Journey in Short: