Ronee' is dismayed to hear that her friend in Sacramento, California, Rebekkah Rachel Cohen, is in the hospital, where she is getting antibiotics for an infection that developed after a bad fall. She writes her friend a note to try to cheer her up.
Friday, the 11th of March, 2005, 10:40 a.m, C.S.T. (written during study hall)~
Dear Rebekkah~
I am so sorry to hear that you are in the hospital on an I.V., but as long as you are getting help, that is the best thing, and as corny as this may sound, maybe it is a good thing you ARE in the hospital. Infections are nothing to mess with; so much can go wrong, so it is good that the doctors and nurses can help you get better. I am glad your mom is bringing you "real food" from home; and you are so right: hospital food IS *NASty*. Worse than eating cardboard at times...YUCK!
I am glad to hear from you, but you don't have to be mad at yourself. You can't help what you have, and you can't help it when things happen to you. I have had to learn this very thing myself. I know it isn't my fault that I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and that I can't get around as well as do a lot of kids. I can't help that I have to use forearm crutches or wear leg braces to get around; but at least I can WALK. I also have a wheelchair if I am hurting more than usual, and I also have a good doctor who helps me when I am sick or hurting. (Okay, DOCTORS. I have three good ones in Dr. Jack Emmons, who is my primary pediatrician, Dr. Joyce Hansen, who is my joint doctor, and Dr. Stryker, who is my pediatric neurosurgeon. I have had to see him since my stroke four years back, and pretty soon, I will no longer see him because he says I am doing so well; but I have had to see him the past four years so he could keep an eye on me. So I will soon have one less doctor to worry about. :) )
In addition, I also know that I can't help in having asthma, but as I get older, my breathing has gotten so much better, and Dr. Emmons says that I have outgrown just about all my allergies. I used to be allergic to just about everything under the sun; now I am only allergic to penicillin (all 'cillins, really), peanuts or all nuts, and stings from insects like wasps, hornets, or bees, but I am old enough now to know to stay away from things that give me the most trouble, and as long as I take the necessary precautions, I won't have any problems..and I won't end up in the emergency room yet again. It is all common sense, and I always have my Epi-Pen with me, in CASE something DOES happen to where I need to go to the E.R. for my breathing. Sometimes things happen when I least expect it too, but that is becoming a rarity anymore, and at times, it is like I am forgetting that I even HAVE asthma because my breathing has gotten so much better. Now, I DO need to take my inhaler with me, or take it twice a day (once in the morning, and again at night), and I DO wear the oxygen at night, just as a precaution, but next year, I may just be off it altogether, which would be WONDERFUL! :) I used to have so many problems with my breathing; now it is like I am a totally different person because my breathing hardly bothers me any more (thank GOD!). :)
Having pain insensitivity disorder isn't your fault, and you shouldn't blame yourself when you have a fracture or end up in the hospital. That is the worst thing you can do because it only makes you feel worse, and you don't need that right now. I used to let my disabilities get to me, but now I try not to, and I find myself having a much better outlook on things, and my attitude has improved greatly ever since I have learned to trust in the Lord because I know He will sustain me through all my trials! You need to do the same. I know it is hard when you are sick or feeling bad, or living with a chronic illness or disability, but He loves and cares for you, and all you need to do is call on Him and ask for His help!
I know you had your heart set on dancing in "Swan Lake", but right now, getting better is the most important thing in your life. There will be a next time you can dance in "Swan Lake"; there will be many more opportunities for you. I have had to miss things myself because of my asthma, allergies, or my JRA flaring up again, or something else has happened, but that is part of life, and you just have to learn to get through those tough times. I have, and so can you! I will be sending you an autographed copy of my book, "People Say No, But God Says YES!: My Story of Hope And Healing"; I think it will help you understand that even though we both may have our problems, with God's help, we CAN overcome, and we CAN make it. You will also learn more about me, and my family, and what makes me tick, basically. You will find out that I am a normal kid who just happens to have disabilities, and that I am gifted, but I still enjoy all that life has to offer, and I have learned to make the full advantage of enjoying life to its very fullest. I enjoyed writing this book, and I am thinking of writing another book in the near future. So be expecting something in the mail soon!
I hope this letter will help encourage you as you are in the hospital. You will be home soon; just keep hoping and praying, and do as the doctors and nurses ask. Also know that you are in my prayers, and know that when I wrote to you on Wednesday, before I went to church, I had my pastors lift you up in prayer, and when I went to the altar for prayer, I specifically asked the pastors to pray for you, as you were in the hospital because you had a bad fall and were now in pain. I hope you felt the prayers that I prayed for you!
You are a very good friend, and I am glad that I know you. You are very sweet, and so are your parents. You are also a very talented dancer and are very articulate and smart, and I admire your courage-filled spirit. You remind me of myself in a lot of ways, and maybe that is one reason why we got along so well when I met you recently in California! You are a wonderful kid, and I am blessed in knowing you and your parents.
I will write more soon; I am getting the evil eye again, and it seems that I got so involved in this letter that I didn't see the time go by; and I am late for lunch--AGAIN. (When will I EVER learn?? LOL) So before I get cold leftovers for lunch, I'd better scoot if I am to get some recess time in! I hope to hear from you again soon, and the next time I do, I hope you are OUT of the hospital. Being in the hospital BITES, doesn't it?? I hope you feel better soon, and I hope you know that you are in my heart and prayers!
I love you, and I miss you, sweet Rebekkah! Bye for now! Catch ya later!
~Luv, your Tennessee pal, Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux. :)
I keep saying that I had friends in the institutions.They were all girls, since I had nothing common with the boys. We all laughed together, and we all had some fun together, as much I guess, as we possibly could, under the circumstances. Sis, you have doen it again. This is a beautiful story of friendship. I only wish I had kept in touch with all of the friends I had made during my most darkest years. May the Lord be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love, peace, & (((HUGS))), Barbie
A well thought-out (and written) letter of encourage; don't we all need this at some time in our lives! I'm a firm believer that the power of prayer is so very strong!
I can relate to a lot of what you have written here Karen because, as a child, I was very sickly. I outgrew all of it as an adult. Well done once again, my friend. Amour et paix. Ton ami de la C-B, Canada. Régis
A page-turning novel about a relationship between best friends that is interrupted because of betrayal , deceit, sexual promiscuity and pregnancy happens!
