everyone has a story, here is mine:

I have Cystic Fibrosis, diagnosed at birth by Meconium Ileus (an intestinal blockage requiring surgery). Although considered healthy most of my life (with no lung involvement), I've always dealt with fatigue, digestion complications and sinus issues.

As a child it was thought I was miraculously spared the devasting effects of CF - it was believed I had a mild case of CF, and wouldn't develop the typical complications of a person with Cystic Fibrosis. Respectively, my health was taken for granted, and I wasn't taught the importance of lung maintenance.

So, when I woke up sick one January morning in 2002,
I simply thought I had the flu, and didn't feel the necessity to go the doctor. Two weeks later after no improvement, I found myself in the hospital, on I.V. antibiotics and oxygen for no less than 14 days.

Not until just recently have I come to understand that what I experienced was my first CF exacerbation, which, sadly, caused irreversible lung damage by waiting for treatment.
So much for being "healthy".

Although I tried to return to work, it proved to be too stressful, too demanding, and too exhausting.
So, that October I retired and started my "life with CF".
And here we are today....

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Being Normal

"What would you give to be normal?" she asked
Looking me straight in the eye
I paused a moment in order to give
A completely honest reply

What would I give to be normal
The question, itself, wasn't new
Quick to mind came all the things
I could now no longer do

The list was long, and the list was sad
Of that I was painfully sure
I could sit a while, with my "losses list"
And continually add to it more

I returned my thoughts to the question
What did it really mean
And decided the answer was simpler
Than at first, to me, it seemed

I faced my well intended friend
My response, I knew, was true
"In every way that matters the most
I'm just as normal as you

"My world is restricted and narrow
Compared to where you reside
But it doesn't mean my spirit or soul
Need lessen in worth or size

"No matter how weakened my body
I'll persist at any length
Not to allow my frailties
To negate my inner strengths

"I wish, I hope, I dream, I pray
Quite often, I sit and cry
As long as there's laughter and love in my life
I'll know I'll continue to try

"As children of our creator
We are equally valued the same
We're not defined by health or wealth
Position, power, or fame

"I may never be fully, physically well
While here upon our earth
But normal or not, I'll do my best
Not to let it determine my worth"


~ Saundra Sharp ~

Posted by Sally at 1:56 PM

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