To the Condition That Keeps Me From Being a 'Normal' Teenager, Thank You

Thank you for teaching me a thing or two about what it means to truly live.

Most of the things people are thankful in life are the basic: health, family, life, a place to call home and friends. Yet, those things don’t always come easily for me. What I am thankful for is quite different than the average person. Most people think because I am sick I don’t have much to be thankful for, but they’re wrong.

From an outsider view they don’t see what a teenager with multiple life-threatening and rare diseases has to be thankful for. People look at those who are sick and only see the extreme burden that comes with it. My life sucks so much because of you Gastroparesis, but you are a true blessing in disguise. Since I got sick a few years ago I have learned to love and value every minute of my life because I never know what is coming next. Without you I wouldn’t have that.

I would probably still be a stupid teenager who thinks she is invincible without a fear in the world. Sadly, the circumstances I have been handed have made me think twice. Since you have came along I have learned to love the good, the bad, and the ugly in life.I have learned family will stick by you when the going gets tough. They have helped me fight you day in and day out. Helping me make my medicine, spending long days and nights in the hospital, and having to sleep on that uncomfortable sleeper chair in the hospital. Having a strong family unit is important in my battle against you and I am so thankful I have been given people who want to help me fight you.

Once you came along I learned the importance of one simple text from a friend offering support and love. You’ve shown me the power of prayer from friends and even complete strangers who have never met me in my life. Life is a miracle. As a matter of fact today is a miracle.

I wouldn’t be alive without feeding tubes, central lines, TPN (IV Nutrition), surgeons, nurses, doctors and all other things that keep me alive. Yet I have learned even with all these things I am still beautiful no matter what scars make a road map on my body.

So for some weird reason I am thankful for you even though you have sucked my life up like a tornado and then spit me back out again to pick up the pieces. You have given me the chance to express myself and raise awareness in my battle against you and you have shown me the type of warrior I am.

Because of you I learned I am a fighter and I have survived the worst before, so I can definitely survive it again.

Your Warrior,

Michaela

A version of this post originally appeared on It’s Not as Easy as You Think.

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