Essay Help?

anyone want to help me cut 499 characters out of the following essay?


In my freshman year, I had my first allergic reaction. While my initial reaction was not life threatening, my allergies soon escalated and before I realized it, I was in a hospital staring up at the ceiling. Diagnosed with exercise-induced anaphylaxsis, this prognosis struck me to the core, because as an athlete, I relied on gym visits not only to maintain my physical health but also to relieve stress.

Shocked with my own brush with death, my immediate response was to deny any sort of problem. However, each visit to the gym reminded me that I was being reckless with my life and my future. As a future medical professional, I knew that allergies were treatable but suffered mentally after being weakened by just one reaction. My anxiety initially caused me to avoid proper medical treatment, but after a few weeks, I realized that my allergies should not be a restriction but rather a reminder. My allergies became a reminder of what I was working towards, understanding and relieving the uncertainty of patients who lost faith in their physical health.

Thankfully, my allergies are now managed with medication and I, have since, restored my physical and mental health. As a student of medicine, I realize now that my anxiety should not rule my life but serve as a reminder of how illness disrupts a person's confidence in their health. In the future, I hope that my experience as a patient will help me help patients to restore the physical and mental stability that comes with physical health.