Hey Merinda, my name is Ryan. I can relate. When I was 19 I too joined the military, ever since I was A Boy I wanted to be in the Navy and serve my country. When I went to great lakes for boot camp though, I could not seem to stay awake for shit. I was never ----- more frustrated in my life. So, I had to quit. As soon as I got out though I went to a Dr. and got some meds and went to college at the University of Alabama.  W'ell I am 27 now and its taken a lot of time but I almost have a bachelors degree in Health Science. Its been a long road, but now I have learned to train myself to wake up every day at 5:30. Routine is now the most important thing in my life in dealing with narcolepsy even before meds.

Original Message-----
From: Narcolepsy-Chat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Narcolepsy-Chat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Merinda Cross
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 3:56 AM
To: Narcolepsy-Chat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Narcolepsy-Chat] Hello! My life;

Well, my story is rather upsetting. Ever since I was a little girl I always

wanted to be in the Military. When I started high school I joined the best

ROTC program in the sate. I was on their ROTC Drill Team and ROTC RANGER

Team. When I was a Junior in high school I was at RANGER practice and I was

notcing different things. I was getting weaker the more I practiced. I

couldn't run as long as I used to, I could do much push ups as I was able

to. I always found myself tired all the time. It was upsetting me. My

boyfriend at that time made me go see a Doctor. As I did, it turned out I

have another form of Narcolepsy. Later that week I was kicked out of the US

Marines. I was crushed. All my life I wanted to be a Marine, the Military

was all I knew, it was my life, my love, and my dream. I cried for weeks not

knowing what I'd do with my life now since I was only a week from

graduating. I kept doing Drill Team but I had to quit RANGERS. It was very

upsetting. But now I am able to deal with this form of Narcolepsy, although,

I know it has crushed alot of me, like my self esteem. But a lot of

wonderful things have happened. I am now engaged to a Army Interigator. He

was on RANGERS and Drill Team with me. So I've known him for three years but

only dated for a year. If you don't know, I am 18, almost 19. And my fiance

is 20 years old. He is the best thing that has happened to me and is helping

me get back on track with my physical fitness. There is my short little life

story.

- Merinda

I held a jewel in my fingers

And went to sleep.

The day was warm, and winds were prosy;

I said: “’T will keep.”

I woke and chid my honest fingers,—

The gem was gone;

And now an amethyst remembrance

Is all I own.

- Emily Dickinson

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