More Than A Diagnosis

 By Tess Donnelly

            For one Stonehill senior, the balance of academics and athletics has always been more challenging with the addition of illness. 

            Abigail M. Creamer is a senior at Stonehill College double majoring in Elementary Education and Sociology. Creamer is from Warwick, Rhode Island and graduated from La Salle Academy in 2018. She is the daughter of Christine and Robert Creamer, and the sister of Sean. 

            At the age of 2, Creamer was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease, Hypogammaglobinemia, which is a problem with the immune system in which not enough gamma globulins are produced in the blood. This results in a lower antibody count, which impairs the immune system, increasing risk of infection.

            For treatment, Creamer goes home to receive IgG replacement intravenously, or via IV every 3 weeks. In this treatment, she receives extra gamma globin enzymes through an IV in order to further prevent infections. After her treatments, “I feel very wiped out and fatigued.”, Creamer said. She also said that trying to balance infusions with academics, athletics, and a normal college experience is often very difficult.     

            Prior to her time at Stonehill, Creamer had always been on a 504 academic plan with her teachers, allowing frequent absences and extended time on submitting assignments. When stating her lower education experiences, “I always had to prepare and stay one step ahead in order to keep up with the curriculum expected of me.”, Creamer said. 

            One side effect that Creamer often deals with the chronic sinus infections, saying, “It was always hard to focus and perform in school with a lot of pain, and me being so type A, I strive to do well but it’s difficult when you’re constantly behind.” Creamer said. 

            Growing up as a competitive gymnast, Creamer felt similar effects of her illness. During her time as a gymnast, Creamer had daily practices and weekly competitions. With such a demanding schedule, she could not always attend her practices due to infusions or being sick. Creamer said, “I feel that because of my sports, I felt normalized when I was able to attend because the aspect of a team working together distracted me from being different.”  

            Although her illness has put many roadblocks in her way, Creamer feels that Hypogammaglobinemia has provided her with better communication skills. “I feel like I am much better at sticking up for myself and prioritizing me now because of always having an accommodated schedule and having to demand no practices.”, Creamer said. On campus, she is a hurdler on the track team, an RA in Pilgrim Heights, and is currently student teaching the second grade in Holbrook. Creamer believes that with her perseverance and compassion for herself that she is able to be successful in her Stonehill endeavors. 

            Creamer believes that her illness no longer gets in the way of her life, as she is now better at working around being sick and her treatments. She said, “It has been a long journey to get to where I am now, but a good journey nonetheless. I am very in tune with myself now, and it makes me who I am.”