If you are new to my ezine, I regularly talk about my daughter, Maddie, who is 17 years old. She also periodically writes in my newsletter. Maddie has cystic fibrosis and CF-induced diabetes. She has all the normal teenager issues of dating boys, getting along with her parents, school/college pressures, etc., but she also has to contend with a complex dis-ease in her body. Maddie is one of the strongest, bravest girls I know. She has been through so much in her young life, and she keeps her chin up and still remembers how to have fun and be grateful. And of course, she is beautiful! I just KNOW that she is going to live a long, healthy life, and she is going to impact and inspire so many people.
I love you, Maddie!
Below is an update from her. “Just recently I went into the hospital; little did I know I was extremely sick. I knew I hadn’t been taking care of myself, but I didn’t think it would get that out of hand. It was odd. Some days I would feel really good, but other days, I was miserable. On June 4, I was planning on coming home to Missouri, where my mom lives. I didn’t want my plans to be ruined so I didn’t want to tell my Dad I felt that bad, but everything I did caused me to be out of breath. So I kept it to myself until the last day, June 3rd. I decided to tell him, and he set an appointment for me to go to the doctor’s the next day. I knew I
would be hospitalized at that point. I felt horrible, but not as bad as I have in the past.
Anyway, I ended up being hospitalized for two weeks, and it was the sickest I’ve ever been.
At one point I had only a 50% chance of living and I didn’t even know it was that serious. I’m okay now, and I’m recovering, but what this has taught me is that life is precious and it’s better to take care of myself and do stuff that I don’t necessarily want to do in the moment, because in the long run it will make a difference.
Instead of doing the things I want and getting instant gratification, I have made a promise to myself no matter what happens, good or bad, I will take care of myself. I was on the road to death, and it wasn’t my time and I will not go back on that road. Now that I’m taking care of myself I want to be in a supportive, healthy environment, which my dad does supply, but I think I would be more happy with my mom. Now, they are choosing to take the power from me, to take me out of the middle. I’m not sure how I feel about that, considering I hate being out of control. I know they both love me and want the best for me so I guess whatever is meant to be will be, but no matter where I am, I’ll always take care of myself. I am now on the road to health and wellness.
I won’t be perfect, but I will try my hardest to be the best I can be.”
Here’s to your Health,
Angie Monko/Maddie Reynolds
