Courtney’s life felt like a dream when she finally got married to her best friend in 2015. Not just this, their children were thriving, and they had everything planned for the next few years; however, it did not last long. Fate always has its plans, and there is nothing we humans can do except to improve things, support, and love each other.
The script life she had ready for her was not something she was prepared for, as it felt like everything that took years to build was suddenly falling apart. It was in the first few months of 2016 when Carson, the couple’s daughter, aged 10, experienced unbearable abdominal pain.
At first, the couple thought it could be stomach worms or an injection; however, after the pain was consistent and got worse, after several hospital visits and every doctor giving a different diagnosis, it was determined that the girl had chronic appendicitis.
The doctors were surprised at how damaged and aged the appendix of the girl was. Medications and treatment did help her with the condition, but it did not last long, and the stabbing pain was back in a few months. This time it was different and even worse, as it was undiagnosed pancreatitis this time. She was fed through a central line of TPN, as due to high lipase levels, Carson was not able to eat and drink for the next few weeks.
Seeing their daughter in pain was hard, and the family was greatly affected; however, the couple was ready to go through it all for the well-being of their baby, so they contacted a specialist and transferred their daughter. A stranger on Facebook who told them about the doctor based in San Antonio, and finally, after several misdiagnoses, the doctor was able to figure out the issues.
Carson had chronic pancreatitis, but she also suffered from adrenal insufficiency and Cystic fibrosis. Hearing all these primary diagnoses shattered the parents’ hope, as cystic fibrosis, which was later diagnosed, was a rare disease that affected her GI system and not the lungs, causing the pain.
Ever since the diagnosis, most days of Carson’s life have been spent in the hospital. She has gone through over 18 procedures and is still fighting every day.
The couple also had an elder son, Wade, who was 17 and had stood firm for his sister. He always figured out ways to show her support and strength. For example, during one of his major track weeks, Wade wrote CH/CF on her cheats and did it all for Carson. Wade had been in love with his longtime girlfriend, Kylie, who was soon diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
She was a beautiful all-star athlete, and seeing her get weak wasn’t easy on Wade, so to make her happy, Wade wanted to take her to prom, and he did!
For the couple, the family arranged a prom in their living room when Kylie’s treatment was on break. The moment Kylie and Wade were crowned Prom Queen and King that day is still cherished by all. The beauty of this story is how Kylie and Carosn are fighting their battle together, and Wade is the biggest cheerleader and supporter for both. He never forgets whenever he wins, as they are a source of strength.
Even at such a young age, being 17, Wade reminds everyone not to give up and to love selflessly for their loved ones so they continue to shine and thrive no matter what they are going through!
