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This is the story of a young girl and her short life. She lost her battle for life to cystic fibrosis at the tender age of eight and one half years old..2
Jessica was an angel from the start. She was born on December first, brown eyes and golden blonde hair. 3
A second child, she had an older brother named Michael, who was five years older.4
It was a joyous day, for it had been several years since a girl had been born in the family.5
Six weeks later, we had a very ill little girl. A simple cold the doctor said. Too quickly it turned to pneumonia.6
After trying several medications to rid the infection, the doctors came to tell us they feared she wasn't going to make it through this.7
It seemed while doing the test, they discovered she had cystic fibrosis. Proceeding to explain how it happened and who carried the genes. Explaining in detail all the medical terminology.8
No one on either side of the families had ever been diagnosed with this illness. With cystic fibrosis there is no magical cure, prognosis is death. Treatment was used to extend and give quality to whatever life the child could manage.9
Though her life seems a blur of doctors, medicines and many hospital stays, we did our best as a family to give her as normal a life as possible.10
We had birthday parties, went on picnics, took trips, did things most families do. There was times she couldn't keep up, but she never quit!11
When she was five years of age, she started kindergarten. I'll never forget the thrill it was for her to finally have her time to go to school. Standing there all dressed up, her lunch pail in one hand and the biggest, brightest smile, one that warmed my heart to tears.12
She was so happy going to school. She loved learning and the art she drew was priceless. 13
Only by her physical condition, could you tell she was ill and then most just thought it was asthma. 14
She was very tall, but so thin. Other parents might of thought she was being abused because she was so thin. Her skin clung to her bones.15
The reason for that was the cystic fibrosis she had was a severe case and it not only affected her lungs, but also her digestive system, therefore making it impossible to digest her nutrients needed to grow.16
A daily routine for her would start early. She would need a breathing treatment. Being done before school and before each and every day of her life. Nothing to spectacular about that, with asthma so prevalent, many kids do that.17
Yet after her treatment would come C.P.T.. Chest percussion therapy, which is a clapping hit all over the areas of the lungs to help loosen the mucus plugs. Imagine being hit all over your front chest and back, turned on your sides then leaned downward. The cough caused by the cpt would be hard and most times non productive.18
Next Jessica would have breakfast, along with it her vitamins, plus about eight or more enzyme capsules.19
By then it would be time to hurriedly dress and get to school. None of this discouraged her.20
When she would do something wrong, she would be punished just like her brother was.21
He favorite thing was to go to a pizza place for kids, where you could play and have fun. She would run wild like a normal child, taking breaks as needed.22
Soon she was in second grade. We saw she was growing weaker. Her inner strength still fought such a courageous battle.23
She fell seriously ill that January. We almost lost her then. God spared her a second time.24
She went back to school this time with an oxygen tank in tow. Her mom went to class with her to help explain why she needed it. Her classmates seemed to accept it.25
Then came another setback. Her weight was plummeting. She was eight years old and weighed a mere thirty five pounds.26
Doctors decided it was time to insert a stomach tube to feed her. Again, she faced this with bravery. Such a hero she was.27
My heart is crying now, because this is the hardest part to share with you. 28
This precious angel of God's grew weaker. She was so upset she could no longer attend school. 29
In addition to all the other things that had to be done, she had to be bolus fed, meaning a tube connected to her tummy tube to flush nutrients into her along with her enzymes. 30
She now was on continuous oxygen, though she has gained weight with the feedings, the doctors forgot to tell us that it would cause strain on her lungs and her breathing.31
July fourth. One of her favorite holidays. I carried her to watch the firework show with the family. It wasn't long before she complained she couldn't breath. 32
I thought maybe she was hot so I put her in the car with the air conditioner on so she could finish seeing the fireworks. 33
It didn't help, she seemed to be gasping for air, so knowing we were close to a fire department and decided to take her there for help.34
Just as we rounded the curve the firetruck had been called away on another emergency, so I then rushed her myself to the hospital.35
Somehow I knew that night, when I left her and her mom there, that she wasn't coming home.36
Still, when I went to visit, she was cheerful, despite her weakness. I talked to her about Jesus. At the foot of her bed I hung a picture of Jesus. 37
She knew he could help her. Jessica always prayed. She was proud of that picture.38
Doctors were amazed how this child clung to life. I woke that morn, the average day it seemed, when it came over me to get down on my knees and pray.39
Heavenly Father, shes your angel, I see her suffering here on earth with us. But I can't seem to let go yet. I pleaded with God please.....................40
Then I knew what I must do, Father, she's your child, an angel from Heaven, selfishly, I have held on to her. Father I'm now ready for you to decide whats best for her. I'll accept your choice.41
Tears poured from my eyes and I knew she'd be freed. I continued my chores that morning, almost numb and unfeeling.42
Then the call came. We gathered the family. I had a young son she thought the world of.43
As we walked in the hospital, we each took turns kissing her goodbye.44
My son, barely a year old, told her, "I love you."45
Laying in that bed was and angel. God loaned her to us to love. Never did He promise for how long, but He could of took her home at six weeks and didn't, He gave us and many others eight and one half glorious years of love and wonderment with one of His treasured angels.46
Author notes
This is about my precious niece. It's a true story. It was very hard to write, so please excuse my errors.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 21 of 21
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There are no words that can ever make this ok or bearable. only time. i am sorry for ur loss and the loss of your family. i can relate, as i watched my cousin darcy die, when he was only five and have written about it. this is a beautiful tribute and i am sure she is up there looking down and feeling mighty proud
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Oh my...I am so sorry for this...and I want you to know that I think this is beautifully written despite the fact that there are errors...wow. Such a moving story. I can tell that Jessica really was an angel. God bless.
Cassie -
such a sweet write.Leaves the reader begging for more.Thank you for sharing
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
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I am so proud of you, even though I don't know you, for sharing this with everyone. I'm in tears right now and I had the goosebumps through the whole thing. I'm so so so sorry this had to ahppen to you! I don't know what would happen if I lost one of my nieces. I'm so glad you had the strength to survive through this. God bless your soul, and God bless Jessica's soul.
~Princess -
that was beautiful
this was a very inspirational story. thanx for sharing. -
I am so sorry. Jessica really seemes like an angel. beautiful write and again, I'm so sorry.
God bless you
Jen -
Wow! I am really sorry you had to go through this, but just reading this brought a tear to my eye. You have written it so well. She seems like a very special angel who will no doubt look after you and forever be in your hearts!
I hope the pain gets easier for you!
xCx -
I meant to applaud this poem.
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As your sister, I share in the joy of having Jessica in our lives and I also share in the greif of her being taken away at such a yong age.We all loved her very much and she will live in our hearts and memories forever.
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That was such a beautiful story, and it just goes to show us that we need to appreciate the people in our lives, because their time on Earth is short and precious. It made me cry, it was so sad but at the same time made me realize how much I need to appreciate my friends and family. Thank you for having the courage to open up your heart and to write such a story which I'm sure was extremely difficult for you. It was amazing.
~Jess -
beautiful tribute
I'm sorry that God called his angel home so early. -
Yes this story is very true. There are many brave children out there that face battles like this. You never know. They are loaned to us by God. We are so blessed. Thank you all for you comments. This was extremely hard to share, even after several years have passed. She lives on, in my memories and all those she touched in the short time she was with us. God Bless All!
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this is so touching, it brought tears to my eyes..is this a true story? If it is, she was a brave child.. I'm free if you ever need to talk. Keep up the good work!
-Burn -
I want to say how proud I am of you, and of the strength it took for you to share this very hard subject with all like this. You have my heart.
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Sorry I need to add one more appluse
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THATS NOT A TEAR! tHATS NOT A TEAR!
Wow...that was just the most beautiful, heart toching thing I have every read. I don't know how you possibly ever could have writen somthing like this, i wouldn't have been able to stop crying, i could barley not cry just reading it(And yes i'm a man, and i've got the guts to addmit I have feelings!) I am so very sorry for your loss, I've never really excperienced anything like that kind of pain i've never really lost anyone i was really attached to. I hope that you can get over your pain. And just remember that she is with God now, and she is happier than anyone on this earth could ever be. So keep up the good work.
Good luck
Shadowblade(Darkness is coming) -
Lovely
How sweet and uplifting, although unbearably sad. Life is precious! There are people out there who touch us in ways we never thought could happen. Just remember that you may be someonese angel too.
~Lady Shakespeare~
Edited on Mar 09, 7:51 p.m. because 'forgot something'. -
Can i cry now or later... aww geez i already did. this is so sad. life is a blessing. each and every life is special no matter how long or short, it always makes an impression one someone. i am lucky my children are moderately healthy at this point. i hope that everyone is coping well. good luck to all.
Sue -
wow that was so sweet... it made me cry. life really is a blessing.
~Autumn~ -
Oh my goodness. cried so much. What a sweet poem. It's a very sad story, but plifting at the same time. I hope we all realize what a joy and a blessing life really is. No one should take things for granted and we should all strive to do our best each day. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful and sad story. I'm really moved by it. Wonderful write! I enjoyed it very much.
~Elle
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AWESOME! Everyone needs to read this, seriously! Great job achieving self-actualization. wow is all i can say!! this is really really good! its jsut so different great great job the relisizaion something many NEVER accomplish. but you did very well great job!!!! Great great great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Hannah
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