Awareness

Hey guys! This blog post is a little bit more serious. I have been writing this post for a while, just havent published it because I didn't know if it was right, but I feel I needed to state all my thoughts about it, plus we all need a reminder to bring some humbleness to our hearts this holiday season. My little sister Shae was diognosed in Sept. with Wegener's granulomatosis. It is an incurable form of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) that affects small- and medium-sized vessels in the nose, lungs, kidneys, and other organs. Due to its end-organ damage, it is life-threatening and requires long-term immunosuppression.

I stole that speal from Wikipedia. Anyways, really rare. My little sister is on dialysis 3 times of week, taking more meds then I thought possible for someone her age, and yet staying strong! Sometimes it is hard to see Shae like this, because she can't do the things she used to do like go to school, run in track, ect. Lately is has been really impacting me as I come across old pictures of her, from not that long ago, like this summer. Here are some of my little Shaelynn before she got sick.

Since she got sick it has meant many weeks in Children's Hospital for her and her mom. When I could I tried to get down there to spend so much time with her, and let her mother get some rest. The hardest part is the internal conflict she is having within her self. There are so many fears running through her mind, that I can't even imagine, and she is battling self esteem. She never really battles with it before, but since she has gained a little weight from her meds and body fluids it seems to be really effecting her! It is so hard telling someone they are beautiful and them still not believing it. She was one of my biggest supporters when I started SSS, and now its hard teaching her what she tried to help me teach. I know that Shae and Shari are thankful for my help and love, but I wish I could do more. I am sure that alot of people feel that way. I just think that if I didn't have the homework load I did, I could help more.

wiping her nose

studying my life away haha

helping her set up her tree in her room

her last visit to the hospital

I am only a little part in this journey, as her mom and Shae LIVE IT every day. Other then talk about it, all I can say is joining the Wagners warrior fb group and show support by wearing red on Wednesdays!
WG Warriors
Nobody knows how much Shae means to me. We are sisters, and just because we arent related by blood doesn't change her title to me. She has always been a playful youthful spirit in my life, and some how looks up to me, which means so much.
Keep Calm and Carry On,
Ciara