Friday, June 12, 2009

* Cystic Fibrosis *
Going down memory lane...19 years ago...
- A Tribute to my Parents -


Aloha fellow bloggers :) Life is going really well - things seem to be falling into place for the most part. This may sound vague, but I’d like to take a moment to congratulate myself for doing an update this soon - - (Taking a bow) - - (bow taken.)

Today is June 12, 2009. Today exactly 19 years ago my parents came into the hospital only to hear the doctors tell them that their little Aline was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. They we're told that if I were lucky, I'd make it to my 18th birthday, MAYBE my 20th birthday. They were told that it wouldn't be easy. There would be countless hospitalizations. A life of pain and eventually an early death.

There are times when my parents get on my nerves as any person can relate to, but at the end of the day, I love them both so much.. I have to say with a grateful and thankful heart that God gave me the parents He did. In every way possible, my dad was and still is the perfect dad for me, and my mom - the perfect mom for me. Both of my parents are fighters and fought for my 2 sisters and me. They both love me in a way I will never completely understand. I probably don't say it enough, but I appreciate everything my parents did for my sisters & I...it was selfless and love in it's purest form. I love you both :)

My parents went against the system. In my parent’s eyes, there was no way that their daughter would become "just another statistic". Their blue eyed, blond haired bundle of joy was to precious to let that happen to.

For those of you who’ve read the Cystic Fibrosis story (a couple posts ago…) you’ve read things that both of my sisters and I went through. The tube-feedings, the countless bouts of pneumonia, and the fact that we couldn’t do what all the other kids could do. With so many activities such as playing outside on a windy day, and during the winter we’d stay inside 24/7. My father would gently tell us “others may, you may not”. We were raised to know that we would outlive any statistic. We were protected so that it would be possible to beat the system.


When I was 2 years old, we moved out of the city to a new province. We moved to a nice county farmhouse with clean country air. Acres apon acres to play in, build forts, plant flowers, and have kittens & a farm dog. My dad purchased several goats, and we got a fence put up, and my older siblings milked fresh raw goats milk twice a day for us 3 girls. After each meal we would drink a glass. My parents knew that was one way to keep us healthy. This being the main reason I strongly dislike milk today lol :) But anyways…
My parents decided to become our own personal health experts. They both went through so much to take care of my sisters & I…It took a lot of effort to keep me healthy and out of the hospital ward. My parents have been in the ER waiting room with me on holidays instead of participating with other activities many, many times.

But here…now…19 years later, after 6 years on God given nutritional supplements I’ve lived all these years with 2 hospitalizations. TWO. Every appointment the doctors are amazed. My doctor told me that most of their patients at my age are in and out of the hospital every 1-2 months. I’ve had doctors ask me why I even bothered to come to my checkups. I have a new lease on life. I wake up every morning with a smile on my face, knowing that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I am so blessed :)
The knowledge that my parents obtained 19 years ago about my health, was a smile on the devils face, and an opportunity in the eyes of my God.

God has used Cystic Fibrosis in so many positive ways. He’s used me to tell others about natural ways to stay healthy and live longer with CF…I’ve spoken in front of crowds of 15 thousand in the audience, with 500,000 live online viewers about the nutritional supplements that have given us our futures. Rebecca, Katherine & my story has influenced many people and helped so many other patients around the world – in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, England & North America.

God is so awesome. He is my heavenly Father. My protector. My Refuge. My Strength. Through all our faults, and failures, He has chosen to love you and me. He stands by our side through everything we go through. So for all of you who are going through a rough time, just remember He’s with you every step of the way. Smile, God loves you :)

Aline :)