Thank you all for the birthday wishes. As Im sure all of you know, I turned 25 today. As tough as today has been for me, I have received countless messages and well wishes from family and friends and even a beautiful serenade (thanks averick) to help brighten my day. A quarter of a century has now past and since we only have one life to live, I have to admit, I have experienced so much already in such a short time. All these experiences, along with the people in them, has helped shape me into the woman I have become. I have taken the last few days, to reflect on much I have lived, experienced and conquered these past 25 years and here is a summary of my life to date. I am typically a very private person but today, I feel the need to share a glimpse into my life thus far. If you dont want to know how I became the woman I am today, what I have gone through , I suggest you scroll on as I hold nothing back. Age 0 to 2: I was born with a broken collar bone, due to the hard labour my mom went through, and my broad shoulders, I also lost oxygen during labour and I was also born with cerebral palsy. My entire left side from the tip of my tongue to my toes was paralyzed. During the testing and diagnosis stages, I was overdosed by the medical team with a intravenous sedative during a CT scan, I almost died. It was my mother that night that saved me. She fought for me and didnt take no for an answer. The stain of that medical mistake, I have lived with more than half my life as my teeth developed with no enamel and each year, I would live in a dentist chair for months at a time. Never letting the teasing and taunting get to me. Age 3 - 11 : After months and years of seeing a pediatrician, and my parents dedication and support, I overcame my paralysis. However, there was still a shadow of it with certain activities. Tasks such as swimming and playing the piano became frustrating for me and eventually I gave in and gave up. I regret this every day and vowed to myself that this would be the last time I would ever give up. Age 12: The pain starts. Extreme lower back pain that once again sends me to the Regina General Hospital, to see a specialist and surgeon and spend another 2 weeks and come out with no answers. Age 8 to 16: I got to travel. I was fortunate enough by the age of 16 to have travelled to across Canada, to the Pacific and Atlantic ocean, to Mexico and thoughtout numerous States. I was lucky enough to have parents that took time and saved money to take us. Age 16: The pain returns. It has gotten to bad that my parents came home one night to find me curled up, on the floor, in the fatal position, passed out on pain. Rushed to emergency to still get no answers. Age 17: I graduated High school, billigual , and moved to Alberta to attend college. It was here I worked 2 jobs and attended school, meet amazing new people and form new and lasting friendships. Age 19: My last semester at college. Im sick. Im stressed, Im not eating, Im in constant pain. Still I push through and receive my diploma, with the highest GPA in my program. I then move back to Saskatchewan and land a marketing job near by hometown. Age 19: I start dating this guy, his name is Dustin. Our new relationship would be put to the test early, between the long distance from Melville to Medicine Hat, the unknown variables of the future, and a scary and life threatening snowmobile accident. Years of recovery, on his end, yet, through it all, we endured. Age 19 to 21: These years are spent being in pain, being sick, seeing doctors weekly, seeing specialist monthly and being prescribed every medication under the sun with no relief and every side effect. By May, right before my 21 birthday, I go in for surgery. A diagnosis is confirmed... Endometriosis. Age 21: I start my own Marketing firm and business. The Big Blue Shoe. It gives me the joy of following my own dreams and the flexibility needed for my medical situation. It is a constant battle of hard work, and stress and strain, but I love every minute of it. Age 21: I become an Aunty titi for the first time. I am so proud of my sisters for the mothers they have turned out to be and honoured to be apart of their childrens lives. Age 21 to present: At age 21, I would be told my doctors that my future of having children of my own would be nearly nonexistent. That this disease already cut my odds into half, that the longer I wait, the smaller the chances would become. At 21, I had to understand the consequences my doctors laid before me and make the choice to go on a drug that would put me into premature metapause. I have since had 4, 6 month cycles of this type of therapy. For the past 6 years, I have had to battle this chronic disease. This invisible enemy that not everyone understands. I have also had to say goodbye to long term commitments and evenings out with friends, and say hello to weekly doctors appointments, gluten free and dairy free diet and days spent curled up sick on the couch and while trying to run a business, and cling to what I can make of a normal life. Age 24: I plan my own surprise wedding, my own mothers funeral and have my second endometriosis surgery all over the span of the same 4 months. In April, and almost 6 years together, I find joy and bliss amongst the chaos as I say I do and marry the love of my life and my best friend, Dustin. May : With my new husband still by my side, after everything we have been through, I go in for my second surgery . January to June : I have to watch the strongest woman I know slowly dissolve into an empty shell, a mere shadow of her former self. Finally, after sitting by helplessly, I have to watch her die, 3 days before her and Dads 38th wedding anniversary, 2 weeks before my 25th birthday and 8 weeks before the birth of her 4th grandchild. We laid her to rest, this past Sunday. The 13th. This has been a glimpse into my past 25 years. A quarter of century I could have not make it through without love and support. I want to thank my friends both old and new, who have been a support system for me and have stood beside me year after year. Even if we dont speak daily, a simple text message or phone call or smile always brightens my day and our friendships were built to last. You all know who you are. I want to thank my nephew and nieces, you may be to young to understand it now, but you challenge me daily to face old fears, to see the good in a bad situation and to stop and enjoy the little things. To my sisters, we have always had an amazing close bond, one I am proud to share. Thank you for picking on me as a kid, it help to develop a tough skin. ;) Thank you for helping develop my skills and support me through my struggles. You are always a phone call away and a face I can count on. To my Dad, thank you for the values you helped instill on me as a child, it is based on those values that I have chosen to love my life. Thank you for your sense of humour, your tech savvy ability, your hard work and your calm attitude, all traits I attribute to have inherited from you. To Dustin Almasi, thank you for being who you are and allowing me to be myself when Im with you. Thank you for putting up with nerdiness. Thank you for your patience, your kindness, your support and not worrying about the little things and keeping me grounded. You are my rock! Finally, to my mom, Daphne Krofchek, I know you cant see this, but I needed to write it down so that others will know what you have done for me. Thank you for loving me, for fighting for me. Since the day I was born until the day you died, you have been my confident, my glossary and encyclopedia, my Marketing liaison, my trusted advisor, and so much more. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me the past 25 years. It is in large part, because of you and dad, that I am proud of the person I am today . So tonight, I raise a beer, I salute 25 years that have past and a future ahead that I will continue to conquer... one day at a time. Cheers! We are never given a struggle that we do not have the strength to handle.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 03:07:19 +0000
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