Senior Loren Jolin enjoys keeping busy and being on the go.

Jolin plays volleyball, softball, and bowls. She also participates in Student Council as the vice president of the Senior Class and is historian of the National Honor Society.

Jolin has played volleyball for 10 years, beginning in youth volleyball and making varsity her sophomore year.

During a volleyball tournament the beginning of her sophomore year, Jolin tore her labrum in her shoulder. The labrum of the shoulder helps keep the arm bone in the shoulder socket.

With her injury more serious than expected, Jolin was out for the rest of the volleyball season. She was also out for her bowling and softball seasons.

After an MRI, Jolin went to an orthopedic specialist and had surgery in November 2014. About four weeks after surgery, she started going to physical therapy three days a week for six months.

“After my shoulder injury there was a long period of time when I was challenged with overcoming mental and physical obstacles,” Jolin said. “I didn’t want to lose my connection with my team and with the sports that I love, so I went to each practice and game and just watched.”

After several months of physical therapy, Jolin had to just accept that her shoulder would never be as mobile as it was before and that there would be pain when she tried to play.

“I knew I could not feel sorry for myself, and I didn’t want anyone else to either. It was the type of situation where I just had to bust my butt to get back on the field and court and be healthier,” Jolin said.

Through physical therapy and training on her own time, Jolin worked to get her shoulder back in the best shape she could in hopes to be back in the game.

But something else got in her way next.

“When junior year came around, I was ready to be back for volleyball season, and then I got a blood clot at the beginning of the year,” Jolin said. “The blood clot wasn’t from sports. We were unsure what exactly caused me to get the blood clot.”

After discovering Jolin’s blood clot, the doctors also discovered through blood work and numerous different test that she has a disorder called Methylene-tetra-hydro-folate-reductase, or MTHFR, that she was born with.

MTHFR is an enzyme found in the cells of the body. It is needed to metabolize or break down homocysteine, an amino acid found in proteins.

An elevated homocysteine level can indicate an increased risk factor for blood clots, arteriosclerosis, and strokes.

Only 2 percent of people in America have the MTHFR gene mutation along with high homocysteine levels. Jolin jokingly stated this makes her pretty special.

“The most difficult part about my shoulder injury and my blood clot was watching from the sidelines and the bench, knowing that there was nothing I could do to help my team except cheer and encourage them,” Jolin said.

Senior Katelyn Bleau and Jolin have been close friends since elementary school.

“Watching Loren go through the whole process of having surgery and then getting a blood clot in her neck and shoulder area was upsetting but also inspiring,” Bleau said. “There were plenty of days where we both would break down and cry, but she never let that get the best of her. I think this all has taught her a lot about herself and not to take life for granted.”

In order to control Jolin’s homocysteine levels, she has to take vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid everyday. She is also at a higher risk to get another blood clot throughout her life.

Senior Cami Clarambeau and Jolin became friends in middle school and now share the responsibility of Student Council together as president and vice president.

“I remember how scared I was when I found out Loren had a blood clot,” Clarambeau said. “She is one of my closest friends and means so much to me.

“She wasn’t able to do all the sports she loved, but she was so strong through it all. She was still so thoughtful and caring towards everyone else, even though she was the one going through so much.”

Jolin began playing T-ball when she was 5 and started playing softball at 7. She will begin her final year playing softball this year.

“I am so pumped to finally be able to play at my full potential. I am not going to let the fear of getting another blood clot scare me because I just want to have fun and do well,” Jolin said. “The possibility of getting another blood clot is not going to dictate my life.”

After high school, Jolin plans to attend Grand Valley State University and go into the medical field. She is considering furthering her education and specializing in hematology.

Hematology is defined as the study of the physiology of the blood.

“My hematology doctor and nurse doctor and nurse have educated me and helped me so much through the period of time when I had my blood clot,” Jolin said. “And I want to be able to look after and provide for the needs of people that have similar disorders as me.”