BYU student Haley Hilton poses with her picc line. Her picc line administers treatment for Lyme disease.
For years, professional dancer and BYU student Haley Hilton has suffered debilitating migraines, sickness and fatigue without any relief — or good answers as to why — until recently.
After so much unexplained illness, she said, 'The day I got my diagnosis
Lyme disease
Hilton is studying broadcast journalism at BYU. This bright, bubbly, confident and full-of-life girl doesn't look like she has Lyme disease
When Hilton was 11 years old, she was diagnosed with Mono and Graves' disease, or Hypothyroidism, at the same time. Doctors were puzzled because Hilton didn't look like a child with Graves' disease. Looking back now, she and her doctors believe she was bitten by a tick around this time, but because she was young and active
Odyssey
production
She recalls the day she realized something was seriously wrong with her body.
'Our show ended on a Wednesday, and by Saturday I couldn't move or get out of bed. I had the worst migraine, and I couldn't function. It was like I fried the engine,' she said.
It took a year and a half of testing and doctors' visits, both in Utah and California, to get a proper diagnosis
Hilton tested positive and since her diagnosis
cycle
diet
symptoms
Despite the pain and the treatments, Hilton continues
'Haley has always been a fighter. She is just a 21-year-old girl trying to have fun and be social,' said Vanessa Manwill, Hilton's friend and neighbor. 'There comes a point where she is so exhausted, but she pushes through and always has a smile.'
Hilton recently auditioned for the show 'So You Think You Can Dance,' a dream of hers since she was young. She had considered giving up her dream and moving on because she didn't know if she would ever be healthy enough. However, a month before auditions
best friend
Hilton had not been in the studio since starting her treatment. Despite this, she choreographed a solo to the music of 'I lived,' by One Republic. The song has a message of living life to the fullest, a concept that has taken on new meaning for her. She performed her solo in front of the judges, PICC line and all. She was sent to the next round in Las Vegas
training
Vegas
Hilton was cut during her time in Las Vegas
Good Things Utah to be a part of its feature, 'All While in School.' She hopes to bring awareness to Lyme disease as a Lyme disease advocate through her personal blog. She recently started an initiative called 'How They Live.' Hilton hopes to highlight other on her blog who are going through difficult circumstances while rising above their challenges and living meaningful lives.
'I am thankful
opportunity
blog.
Hilton will continue
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