College students and young adults sometimes make a joke or offer a humorous tale about a time that they threw up. Of course, one may acquire the occasional stomach bug but most of the time, for us college students, we discuss vomiting in the context that it all began with a fun night out and ended with a horrible morning spent with our heads in the toilet due to a hangover. These mornings from hell are self-induced despite the fact that we know the consequences of our actions or the fact that we hate throwing up. And it’s probably because we also know that this pain is temporary, but the memories (or lack thereof) will be something we have forever.
But what if it was the other way around? What if the hangover was forever and the fun memories were something that never happened to give you to that hangover? And what if I told you that was the case for someone in your community? At your university, even.
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Asher Ward is a 19-year-old girl who attends Kennesaw State University. She enjoys hanging out with family, friends, and her boyfriend, stays out too late, enjoys sleeping in, is in a sorority, goes out for late night meals after hours of studying, and all of the typical college student stuff. Unfortunately, “typical” isn’t Asher’s life anymore. She is, in fact, dealing with something much like a forever hangover.
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is an unexplained disorder that affects children and adults. It's characterized by recurrent, prolonged attacks of severe nausea, vomiting, prostration with no apparent cause. The vomiting occurs at frequent intervals for hours or even days. Although the symptoms of these episodes tend to remain the same, there is no pattern of how often they occur or how long they will last.
This has been Asher’s life for a few months. What was once a night out with friends is now the night that Asher’s life changed forever. After a few trips in and out of the hospital and thousands of tests, she was diagnosed with what doctors strongly believe is CVS. In the past month and a half, she has only had 15 vomiting episode free days. Her attacks last approximately 10 hours long with about 8 to 14 hours in between each cycle. She has gone from 129 lbs to 104 lbs in just 41 days.
This a student just like most of you. A beautiful, smart and funny teenage girl who would probably much rather be waking up not feeling too well from a late night out, but instead is in a hospital bed fighting to have her life back. A girl whose friends and family would give anything to have her back to a healthy state and are waiting anxiously for her to make memories with them once again. And although this story doesn’t offer positivism, there is hope for Asher.
Asher has held one Bible verse near and dear to her heart from a young age, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer."(Romans 12:12). Through her faith in God, she has been able to fight a hard fight and He has given her an opportunity that she, family, and friends have all prayed for.
Asher has appointments to see two doctors who specialize in CVS. One in Wisconsin and the other here in Atlanta. There is no cure for CVS, but hopefully, with the help of God, the doctors, and the support of those who love her, Asher can get back to being herself again.
Because this disease is rare, it is often overlooked, and the treatment and expenses attached to them are expensive. Without the support of the communities that surround the victims of this disease, it is that much hard to find a cure, not just for Asher, but for everyone suffering alongside her.
Asher’s family and friends have asked that you make a donation to help her receive the treatment she can to get back to feeling normal and also help find the cure. Any amount will help this cause, but if you find yourself unable to donate please help spread the awareness of Asher, her condition, and what CVS is in general by sharing this link. All donations will go toward Asher's medical expenses and the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association.
For more information on CVS, you can visit any link listed above or call the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association at 414-342-7880.
