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Feeling Better
By Alivia Watson
Hi! My name is Alivia Watson, and I am 10 years
old. I am in the fifth grade. I have two little
brothers named Tanner and Riley. Sometimes
I wish I had a little sister. I really like the movie "High
School Musical." For my birthday, my mom redecorated
my room in all "High School Musical" bedding and
accessories. I have a karaoke machine, and I put on “concerts” for my family, performing all the songs from
"High School Musical 1" and "2," and Hannah Montana
songs. Sometimes I even make my little brothers be in
the concerts. My dad and my cousins and I sing together
in church all the time. My favorite animal is a cat. I like
horses, too. We have two quarter horses, and a pony.
I’m kind of a tom boy, because I love to play outside! My
favorite thing to do is ride four wheelers and go-karts
through the mud. In the summertime I play softball
and tennis. I don’t get to play outside very much in the
winter because it’s so cold outside. I have Raynaud’s, and
the cold makes my hands hurt too much to be outside for
very long.
I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s when I was 4.
My doctor told my mom and dad that I may have
scleroderma. He kept a good watch on me for three
years, and when I was 7 he told my mom and dad that
I had systemic sclerosis. I had to start taking lots of
medicine every night, and my mom had to give me a shot
every week. I hate needles! Also, I spent the night in the
hospital once a month to get some special IV medicine.
I was a little bit scared, and confused because I didn’t
feel bad ALL the time. Sometimes I felt tired, and my
hands and wrists hurt. My mom told me why I had to do
all these things, and I tried to be strong. But sometimes
it was hard. One time I asked my mom if I was going to
die. She told me that my life was in God’s hands, and He
would take good care of me.
For two years I took all my medicine and shots just
like my doctor said. I had tests every three months to
make sure my lungs and heart were okay. My mom
and dad and all my family and friends prayed that God
would take care of me. Eventually, I started to feel
better. My hands and wrists didn’t hurt anymore, and
my doctor said I could stop taking some of my medicine.
He told my mom that I looked so good he wanted me
to go see a special doctor in Pittsburgh, Pa. In July,
my mom and dad and I fl ew to Pittsburgh for my
appointment. It was the first time I ever got to fly! I was
so nervous I almost threw up on the plane! The doctor
was really nice. He examined me and asked me and my
parents lots of questions. After a long visit he told us
that my scleroderma is in the limited category. He said
I could stop taking all my medicine! No more needles
every week! I was so excited! When we got home every
one was so happy to see us. My grandparents took the
whole family out for a big dinner to celebrate!
My life has changed a lot since the doctor told me that
my scleroderma is limited. I don’t have to take so much
medicine anymore. And I feel so much better. I only have
to go the hospital a couple times a year for tests instead
of every month.
I still can’t play outside in the cold weather, and I
always have to stay inside for recess in the wintertime.
My friends at school don’t always understand. They ask
questions, and I don’t always know how to answer them.
My mom helps me figure out what to say. It used to
embarrass me when people asked questions, but now I
don’t mind because I feel so much better. Now I just tell
people that God takes care of
me, just like my family and friends always told me He
would.
To reach Alivia, send an e-mail
to cwatson@carington.com. |
