In 2015, I thought life was finally falling perfectly into place. I had married my best friend, a man who embodied strength, kindness, and integrity. However, life tends to alter our intentions.
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
In early 2016, my ten year old daughter, Carson, began having severe abdominal pain. One night, she woke up screaming, curled on the bathroom floor. We rushed to the ER, where doctors dismissed it as constipation. Our family doctor suspected an ovarian cyst, but after a trip to a larger hospital, the cyst had vanished. Days later, another doctor insisted it was her appendix. Surgery confirmed chronic appendicitis, her appendix aged far beyond her years.
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
Months passed, but the pain returned this time with ulcers and unexplained fevers. Then on October 3, 2016, a rare blood test revealed dangerously high pancreatic enzyme levels. She was diagnosed with pancreatitis, a condition uncommon in children. Despite weeks of hospitalization, IV nutrition, and countless tests, no cause was found. We were sent home to await a specialist.
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
Desperate, I posted online for help. That same night, a connection led us to a doctor in San Antonio who agreed to take her case. The next day, she was transferred, and her life was saved. Eventually, Carson was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, adrenal insufficiency, and cystic fibrosis. Since then, she has endured over a dozen pancreas procedures and months in hospitals, but she remains fierce and resilient.
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
Through it all, our son Wade has been her biggest cheerleader. A talented athlete, he writes “CH/CF” on his cleats, running for both himself and his sister. But in 2018, another blow came; Wade’s girlfriend, Kylie, was diagnosed with leukemia just before prom. Rather than let her miss it, Wade brought prom to her, with family transforming a living room into a dance floor.
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
Kylie’s treatments have gone better than expected, and Carson continues to fight with strength. Despite countless hospital stays, our family still makes it to Wade’s games. His athletic achievements have even earned him state wide recognition, but his true strength lies in the way he carries the weight of those he loves.
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
Courtesy of Courtney Orr
At just seventeen, Wade is a pillar for his sister and his girlfriend, and they, in turn, are his inspiration. Our lives have been shaped by illness, heartbreak, and uncertainty, but also by resilience, love, and the unshakable bond of family. We’ve seen God’s hand at work in the midst of trials, and we know we are being carried always.
