by Pamela Taylor

Created on: February 25, 2009

Everyone has their set of problems, some by choice, and others by circumstance. All problems are different and they affect others on varying degrees. Some days our degree is to a boiling point. Today seems to be one of those days.

My husband and I decided on a large family. We have four of the greatest, brightest, caring children on earth. We love each one for being individuals and personalities. Our children are gracious to strangers, loving to family members, and understanding to world issues, very mature for their tender ages. They range from 16 to 2 years but those are just numbers. Our children have had to grow up at a break neck speed. Three of our four children have a genetic disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis affects many of the body's functions with the most predominant ones being a difficulty in digestions, sinus problems and the most serious, lung disease. The day to day challenges of this disease is sometimes unreal and just like its symptoms, breathtaking.

My oldest daughter is 12 years old and has always been the sicklier of our children. I write this article from the loneliness of a hospital room where she is sleeping peaceful with her oxygen in her nostrils. This child brings me such hope and worry all rolled into one. She is a hero to many and loved by all. She has been through more sickness in her short life that most who reach a ripe old age will ever go through. She is currently in the process of being evaluated for a double lung transplant.

She will be 13 in the spring, starting to notice boys, becoming impatient about not having many signs of being a teenager, sassy when she wants to be and experimenting with make up much to the chagrin of her dad and me. Her nose is always either up to the computer screen or on her cell phone. She has a wide variety of friends and family who love her that keep tabs on her and that she loves back. She loves Pink, the color and the singer, loves pg-13 movies a lot more than Disney, and wants to do something fun and important in her life. Yes, she is slowing growing into a teenager. Illness, even long term can't change that.

To be with my child at the hospital, means separating our family into two units. One with me and her here, and the other with dad and the other three children at home, two hours away. After nearly 13 years of this, most would assume this was easier, but it's not. It will never just be par for the course. This is difficult, heart breaking and necessary all in one. When one member of the family is sick or hurting the whole family hurts with them. I would do this for anyone of my children and they know that. I love these children with a love I never knew was possible, they know this also just as I know they miss me and love me far beyond anything I deserve.

Disease will bring a family to its knees. But with the love and understanding of one another, and faith that God is still in control, a family can cope and even become stronger. As a unit we love and enjoy each other more than probably a typical family of 6. We learn to enjoy the good times more, and we have the knowledge and firsthand experience that truly what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

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