There are days when simply showing up feels like an accomplishment no one else can see. Living with mast cell activation syndrome has reshaped every aspect of my life. Two years ago I moved to Cedarville University to attend nursing school. I was excited to pursue my goals and grow in my independence. However, as time went on, my body began to fail me. I fought GI symptoms, racing heart rate, passing out, and weight loss due to nausea and being unable to eat. My skin was constantly inflamed, my acne flared, and I was losing confidence in myself. What was happening with my body? Usually an A student, my grades were slipping because my body physically could not keep up with the demands of nursing school. Countless doctors appointments, incorrect diagnoses, and difficult procedures later, I felt hopeless. I then had an appointment with my allergist, who I had been seeing for years due to my peanut allergy and oral immunotherapy treatments. Grasping at straws, I explained to him all the issues I had been experiencing. He decided to test me for MCAS, which I had never heard of. The day that I was diagnosed changed my life forever. After that appointment I began to do my own basic research. Mast cell activation syndrome fit all the boxes. I knew the road ahead was difficult and still had some unknowns, but I was so relieved to finally have a diagnosis. My doctor prescribed me sodium cromolyn to take orally four times a day. After much difficulty obtaining this medication due to a nationwide shortage, I was finally able to start treating my disease. Slowly but surely, my symptoms became more manageable. Living with mast cell activation syndrome was the new normal for me. I had to figure out how to deal with flares, manage my stress, and diet all while living hours away from home at college. I began to feel more confident and more like myself each and every day. Of course, there were bad days, but I did not let those stop me from pursuing my goals. In October, I had a severe mast cell flare up that resulted in my body going into anaphylactic shock. It was a scary experience, but I felt prepared and knew what to do. My heart began to race, and I knew something was very wrong. My blood pressure was dangerously low, and my face was extremely red and inflamed. When my throat started to close, I called 911 and administered my EpiPen; nonetheless, my throat continued to close. I could not breathe. Per my allergist's instructions, I administered my second epipen. As I lay on the floor, shaking, heart racing, listening to the approaching sirens, I felt a wave of relief that the epinephrine finally had an effect. While this experience was frightening, I learned through it that I cannot let my disease define me, and I learned to boldly advocate for myself that day, even if it meant putting myself in an embarrassing situation. As I continue to deal with MCAS and look towards the future, I know there will always be hard days. I also know that no matter what, I am determined to never give up. I live with MCAS, but it does not define me. I will continue to be true to myself, I will continue to educate others about MCAS, and most importantly, I will remain confident in the fact that I will live a long and successful life. MCAS did not change what I want to achieve, only how I fiercely pursue it.