"I know this is not what you want to hear, but there is nothing more we can do. Go home and prepare to say 'good-bye'. Make this Christmas with your famiy extra special, because it will be your last one." I stood there in my doctor's office stunned. I was 31 years old, and I had just been told that I had less than six months to live. That was the day after Thanksgiving in 1996.
Two and a half months earlier, Hurricane Fran had slammed into the North Carolina coast. On September 6, Hurricane Fran traveled hundreds of miles inland and hit Raleigh/Durham...devastating everything in its path...including my home.
For thirteen days...in record-breaking heat...I dug through the soggy, molded remains of my crushed and broken home. I salvaged photos, treasured keepsakes and my childrens' favorite toys...things that money could never replace. I worked from early morning until no 
light was remaining...day after day. Finally...it was time to let go and move on. 
Since so many families were left homeless, it was very difficult to find housing. My family moved into my father-in-law's vacant lake house. Upon moving in, I realized that the lake house had also flooded...leaving behind some mold and water damage under the carpet. We had nowhere else to go, so I pulled up the carpet and used bleach to kill the mold. I worked for five or six days until the home was safe and dry.
During that week of working in the lake house, I began to experience some respiratory problems. After a few days, the symptoms worsened. I went to my doctor who diagnosed my condition as strep throat and prescribed antibiotics. Upon completion of a ten day course of antibiotics, I was no better...so he prescribed stronger antibiotics.
By the end of that ten day treatment, I had other symptoms in addition to the respiratory problems...severe headaches, swelling, dizziness, confusion and inability to eat without experiencing digestive problems. I went back to my doctor and asked for further testing. After weeks of out-patient testing, my doctor discovered a rare infection in my intestines...requiring yet another round of antibiotics. By the time it was diagnosed, the infection had done extensive damage to my digestive tract. I remember my doctor saying, "Elizabeth, you are one sick girl." I wanted to scream, "I KNOW I'm sick...when are you going to make me better?"
A few days later, I awoke in the middle of the night with unbearable cramps. When I stood up to go to the bathroom, I passed out. Later, I learned that I began hemorrhaging profusely. Over the next few weeks, the bleeding continued...always followed by fainting. In late October, I underwent two procedures...one to stop the bleeding and one to diagnose the reason for the bleeding. My doctor could find no apparent reason for the bleeding and referred me to a specialist.
From that point onward, I was unable to care for myself and my children. I was very weak and fragile...unable to speak coherently...and confined to bedrest. Still...not one doctor had been able to explain what was happening to me. It was the most vulnerable I've ever felt in my life...as I was completely powerless. All I could do was pray.
In November, I began another series of test with a specialist. On the day after Thanksgiving, I had an appointment for him to reveal the results of the testing. He explained that I had been exposed to some rare molds and bacteria...most likely while cleaning the damage from the hurricane...that the antibiotics were not effectively fighting the infections...that my brain and organs were overloaded with toxins...that there was nothing more medical science could do for me. He sent me home to say 'good-bye' to my family.
On the long drive home, I thought about my girls...my youngest had just celebrated her 6th birthday. I thought back to the moment I had learned I was pregnant with my oldest daughter...how I had been told that I would never conceive a baby. I thought about the first time I held them in my arms...the first time I nursed them...thanking God and promising to prove myself worthy of the precious gift of motherhood. As I thought about my girls, I tried to imagine all the moments in their lives that I would miss...school plays, proms, graduation, weddings and watching them become mothers.
In that moment, something rose up inside of me...a determination to fight...to live. I could not leave my girls motherless...they were just too little. They needed me, and I needed them. I owed it to them to live. I had a promise to keep. Instead of going home to say 'good-bye'...I went home on a mission...TO LIVE!
Over the next few weeks, I searched the internet and read every piece of information about my condition. I also made an appointment to see a Natureapath, who performed tests on every system of my body. He then created a specific vitamin and supplement regimen to which I adhered strictly...along with a severely restricted diet of only organic vegetables and grains. Within three months of beginning this treatment, most of my symptoms were gone. I continued to follow this program for a full year...at which time I was perfectly healthy.
Although Christmas has always been a special and sacred time of year for me, it is even more precious to me now. Every Christmas, as I shop, bake and prepare for our family celebration, I think about those words..."Go home and prepare to say 'good-bye'...make this Christmas with your family extra special because it will be your last one." Every cookie I bake is sweeter...every carol I sing more meaningful...every gift I wrap more treasurable...every memory we create PRICELESS.
For months, I have been hoping and praying for a white Christmas...but it did not snow. Still...I received the greatest gift in the whole world. Our home was filled to overflowing with family, love and laughter...and I was here (alive and healthy) to enjoy it ALL! For what more could I possibly ask?
Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)
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We'll look forward to reading your 50th anniversary of your LAST Christmas!
God wasn't ready to let you go.....since every day of your life is already planned, anyhow?!
Hope you had a GREAT Christmas!!!!!!