In the movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ferris wants a day off from school and he's got an insane plan to pull it off. Ferris, his friend Cameron, and his girlfriend Sloane take the Ferrari to Chicago for the day. Meanwhile, principal Ed Rooney is convinced that Ferris is, not for the first time, playing hooky for the day and is hell bent to catch him. I never went to Chicago, but some thought that I was playing hooky. Administrators said it was convenient that I was sick. I heard about teachers in class talking about how they didn't think I was sick at all. Others, well... You know how small town gossip can be. There were a few folks who would check up on me and snap me. That helped a lot. Being at home, alone, feeling terrible, was rough. I went from running around 16 hours a day to nothing. Nothing at all. In November, we got COVID and the weekend we were supposed to be out of quarantine, I didn't feel good again. We went to the doctor and I tested positive for strep. I got some antibiotics and thought it would be 2 days and I would be back and feeling better. That was 7 months ago. I started throwing up blood and we headed to the Emergency Room. The first of 4 trips to the ER over the course of my illness. We changed my antibiotics and things got a little better until they weren't. We headed back to the ER and the tests and referrals started. I saw a gastroenterologist and did MRI's and CT scans, labs and swallow studies, and upper and lower coloscopies, dozens of office visits and consultations, and so many pill bottles and potions... all of them ruled things out but none of the gave an explanation or a diagnosis for what I was going through. We signed forms, joined studies, tried stuff to see what might happen and waited. Every day I was throwing up 6-7 times a day, having consistent diarrhea, and stomach cramps. I couldn't sit up, stay awake, or think straight. It was the most horrible thing I've ever endured. It's been a really long 8 months. April 8th, I got my second COVID vaccination and I felt terrible. My mom read that some long-haulers get better after getting the shots, so I went. VERY reluctantly. Then when I felt worse - a lot worse - and I was ticked. It was awful. Flu like symptoms on top of everything else. Not cool. Then about 4 weeks later, my symptoms weren't as violent. Then they weren't as frequent. Then soon, I had a good day. A really good day. Now I've had about 9 really good days in a row. I'm so very thankful. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I'm no where near where I was. Soon, I may be ready to have a little adventure! I know that I'm still here for a reason and have a lot left to accomplish. When we got the results of the colonoscopy, the doctor told us that they found a polyp. It was a very aggressive form of cancer. He said, "All of this probably saved your life. By the time you started having symptoms and figured out what it was you would probably be dead by 23." God wastes nothing. Even though I went through some horrible days, nothing about my senior year is what I'd thought it would be, and I'm not quite over all of this yet, I know God's got more for me. You're still reading? Thanks, man!
7 Comments
Denae McLellan
5/24/2021 03:36:37 pm
Wow Clayton you have been though so much. I am so sorry but thankful for the 9 good days. I hope you have felt our prayers. We will continue to pray for you!
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Missy Lawrence
5/24/2021 03:47:06 pm
Clayton! Bless you and your families heart! Sounds like such a rough time! So thankful they found this and I just know the skies gonna be the limit for you! Keep on keeping on! God Bless you kid and congrats on graduating! ❤️
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Leslie Griffis
5/24/2021 06:57:51 pm
Clayton you are an incredible young man and God has great things planned for you. Much more than a senior year. Some people will always look back on their high school days, but you will take this and move forward with purpose. You were always one of the kindest and most giving young men and I know this experience will serve you well. God bless you in the future!
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Lori
5/24/2021 09:07:12 pm
God bless You!
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Mary Katharine Fairbanks
5/24/2021 10:29:57 pm
Clayton,
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Sharon Clements
5/25/2021 08:18:36 am
Hang in There, Friend! You’re being prepared for something big! One day you will look back at this time in your life & wonder how you made it through. I know this has also been hard on your loved ones. I know your Mom & Dad would have switched places with you if they could have! The Refining Process is rarely a pleasant thing...but, the beauty comes after. Never forget all of us that have prayed & will continue to pray! We are here for you if you ever need anything!
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Cindy Starcher
5/25/2021 08:52:12 am
Clayton, you will forever be one of my favorite go getters and students! I know this last year has been anything but what you wanted it to be. But I will say that your endurance through this trial certainly attests to your character. You are a strong young man and I am so happy, and thankful to know that you are doing a bit better! Thank the LORD above for the discovery of that polyp. You know, He works in mysterious ways, but this is not the first of which I have seen him work through great hardship to uncover something even more serious. Love ya and I am rooting for you! Don't let this get in the way of your awesome dreams and life! Follow the Lord with all your heart. Seek him and you will find him. Big hugs! <3
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AuthorA quick tour of my life and times, starting with my health struggles and moving through my victory! Archives
May 2021
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