It is just after 5:00 a.m. and I have been awake for most of the night. I do this often when I have days like yesterday. To say I’m not a morning person doesn’t even come close to expressing my abhorrence for all things a.m.; and always has. Most of that is due to the fact that my Crohn’s disease is almost always at its absolute worse in the early hours. So, days like yesterday, when I spent most of the morning on the toilet, or feeling like someone was stabbing me in the lower gut with a flaming hot medieval sword, or both at the same time. A familiar panic struck me as I basked in this oh so common never-ending nightmare… I have to go out today. First to let some dogs out for a client and then to a doctor’s appointment which could not be postponed. Thank God the pain subsided a bit and I was able to put on my big girl panties on (pun intended) and go. There have been people in my life that I wish could understand what a HUGE ordeal just getting out of the house can be when you have a serious chronic illness. Somedays are so bad that the simple act of getting out of bed, or even brushing your hair and teeth, can be the equivalent of reaching the summit of Mt. Everest for the healthy. This is one of those nights that I’m feeling better. On these precious occasions, when everyone else is sleeping I can enter my own little world. Quiet, mind awake and absurdly alone. I love it, but I don’t love a big contributing factor currently surrounding my insomnia…
This post isn’t about me, it is about Alex Davidson.
This is Alex.
This is also Alex. Twenty years old and in her final days due to Crohn’s disease complications.
Less than a week ago, I saw a story about beautiful Alex and her parents heartbreaking ordeal on a local news channel. The Davidson family has hardly left my mind or prayers since I first heard about it. I have broken into tears on more than a few occasions and I am pretty sure this has a lot to do with my more than usual sleepless nights. I can’t even imagine how Alex’s lovely parents and family are able to cope.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/family-searches-new-home-daughter-dies/nbkSr
There is an update to this story. The Davidson’s scumbag landlord did not relent, but, praise God, the family found another home not far from this one and are moving in this weekend. Many have already paid for the first few months of rent. I ask you to also PLEASE visit the site below and make a donation to Alex and her family. I know times are tough for a lot of us, but I know even a small donation would mean the world to this family. They also ask for our prayers.
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/beautiful-beyond-the-pain/104060
Obviously, this story is so personal to me. (Here come the tears again.) It is literally a miracle that this I am still here. I am not the one that has suffered for over 30 years of me having very Crohn’s disease. It is my parents. There is nothing worse than to watch a child that you brought into this world suffer from an unrelenting and unspeakably painful illness. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, not even the piece of garbage landlord that threw this remarkable family on the street. As a mother and father gaze into the eyes of their newborn, all the hope in the world is in this tiny bundle. My prayers are with the Davidson’s, my parents and all of the families in the world that watch their children suffer. It is tragic and unnatural. Alex, you are my hero. Because of you, so many people now know just how serious this disease is. IBD is so much more than a “potty illness.” May God bless you here and in heaven. Keep up the fight, you are a brave warrior woman!
All my LOVE,
Meghan (a.k.a. Belle of the Bowel)
Belle of the Bowel 