No Longer a Freshman!

Written by Jordan Bulcher

Tags: Family Issues School Sharing Section

In June 2009, I completed my first year of college at Ohio State University as a molecular genetics major. I lived on campus in a four-person freshman dorm room, about a half-hour drive from my current residence in Powell, Ohio.

I managed my diet with minimal parental support and monthly contact with my doctor and dietitian. That being said, I did not mix my formula myself, as there was not sufficient space in my small room. My parents came every three days to bring my drink and check my urine DNPH (a compound with a similar purpose as keto sticks).

I used OSU’s meal plan and the many restaurants that line nearby High Street to allow me to have plenty of food options making the issue of finding something to eat relatively non-existent. The food issue was also made easier because of my leucine tolerance of 1100 mgs per day. For those days that I ate food higher in protein, I kept a stockpile of candy and Gatorade to curb my appetite in the evening without increasing my protein intake.

Through all this, I experienced very few setbacks during autumn and spring quarter (a few minor leucine elevations here and there, but nothing major). However, during the winter quarter, my leucine became elevated numerous times requiring one trip to the ER and multiple trips home to consume more medical formula and low protein food under the watchful eyes of my parents. We didn’t determine the cause of the elevations, but my parents believe that stress was to blame. I am not convinced of that, however.

Next year, I will be living off-campus in a larger space and will purchase the meal plan that allows me to eat lunch on campus five times per week. In addition, I will be taking care of myself, including making my own formula, cooking some meals, checking my urine DNPH, and getting monthly blood draws. More than likely, my parents will be contacting me periodically to check up on me.

Overall, I found my first collegiate adventure to be painless in regards to MSUD. The amount of schoolwork I needed to do, however, was a different story.

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Last Updated ( Saturday, September 12 2009 03:56 )