Getting diagnosed with a non-curable, chronic disease after years, when everything seemed lighter on the heart and felt like life was pretty good. It was disheartening, especially for the 19-year-old Courtney. She felt healthier and more active than she had ever been. She also found her love, more like a soulmate.
Repeated vomiting and stomach and abdominal pain had already made her weak. Still, all this time she thought it was a stomach bug. However, the day she finally got tired of all the sickness, the visit to the hospital changed her life.
The life she seemed to enjoy a lot lately was all about visiting the ER multiple times a week, feeling nauseous for no reason all day, and surviving on IV fluids. However, none of the treatments worked well; thus, she visited a specialist without avoiding the problem.
The news of how she needed a PICC line and gastric stimulator was already too much for her, but the doctor continued to tell her that she couldn’t work anymore due to her declining health. She had two pillars of strength that kept her going despite everything that had happened- Courtney’s mom and boyfriend, whom she loved with all her heart.
However, right before her surgery, she came home to the news of how her boyfriend had decided to leave. Not just that, he took all her savings too. The heartbreak made her feel worse, but Courtney still chose to go through the surgery, and despite complications, she barely made it. The presence of her mother by her side was her most significant pillar of strength.
Although she did get a hold of her thoughts on most days, her physical health did not seem to get better, as due to tube feeding, she kept losing weight swiftly and was now underweight. While going through all this, she found an angel, Jonathon. God sends some people to heal and mend your broken pieces, and Jonathan was one of them.
He kept reminding Courtney that she was always seen as enough for her to realise how much her presence matters. Not just this, from tubes to scars, they shared everything, whether the treatments failed or if they had to stay in the hospital for days- they did it all together!
Her heart healed from the heartbreak her ex-boyfriend had left her with, but the physical pain she went through made her question life. She did not even know if she would wake up the next morning.
Courtney even visited cross-country specialists, hoping that someone would have the cure; however, hopelessness was everywhere! Even doctors did not give a positive response to her condition despite the multiple surgeries.
However, one day, she woke up feeling different. This feeling led her to take a pregnancy test, which showed two pink lines. She was expecting! Realising that she would embark on a journey so many pray for, despite her health conditions, felt like a miracle.
Although most doctors urged the couple to abort the baby as the chances of survival of the mother and child were rare, another doctor gave her hope. As months passed, the complication seemed to grow from constant bleeding to preterm labour. She was able to go through it all, and in the next few months, she gently held her angel in her arms. Her first son’s cry was everything to her!
Bentley, the couple’s first son, recently turned three. They are a family of four now, with five-year-old sons sticking to each other. Although Gastroparesis is chronic and still has no cure, Courtney’s hopeful heart keeps her going. She knows she is more fearless and assertive with every passing day!
