I made up Sunsetta's name in high school. One girlfriend told me to name a cat that. Well, that's not how it worked out. I, we ended up using it. Sunsetta is now 10. She will be 11 soon in August 2021. Where is time going??
This Rod Stewart song, is kind of our song. I got her hooked on it young. I always told her, "No matter how old I get Sunsetta, you will always be forever young to me". I love this song. It has some good advice in it as well, for parents and children. Good meaning.
Sunsetta was born with some complications after birth. It took 2 years to get a proper diagnosis. She ended up having cystic fibrosis. Her Mom and I stayed in Syracuse, NY for weeks on end at the Ronald McDonald house a lot back then. Sunsetta also caught a virus after coming home and ended up in a croup tent prior to the diagnosis. The croup tent clogged her up and she turned blue. Her Mom held her in her arms, after taking her out of the croup tent (luckily) and noticed. She, her body went limp. I hit the panic button at the hospital doorway and in came all these doctors, nurses and staff. They percussioned, patted her back and gave her some mouth to mouth, if I am remembering right. It was very traumatic. First thing Sunsetta did, was smile at her Mom when she came to. So scary to see your own creation, child almost die. They sent her to Syracuse again after that. We stayed again.
Sunsetta is doing really good now and has for a long time. She is very talented. Very artistic and musical. (writes, sings, plays some drums, sax and such) Sometimes I feel sorry for her when she has to do treatment while seeing other kids outside playing. It takes about half an hour, to 45 minutes a day for that. We usually get it in 99 percent of the time. There is a new med out, kind of a breakthrough medication we are trying that is supposed to improve her life and CF symptoms even more. I am thankful, for that.
Sunsetta did virtual schooling this school year. It was challenging. She was home 24/7. The teacher whom I call Mrs. Coolenda (Kalenda) went above and beyond and became friends. (her family too) She came to our house about once a week to check on and help Sunsetta. This teacher works, owns a farm too. I went there and saw her, them in action and she is a couple years younger than I am and I don't know how she does it. She was all over that barn lol. Climbing and working. I don't see how people in general do it, with kids, college, work, house chores keep doing it day after day and be so successful. I do it too, and the cards are stacked, but somehow I, we manage to pull it off even with a lot of forces against our lives. You just have to make the best of what you have. You have to "want" it. Kind of like major drug addiction. You can keep crashing, but you have to "want" to get better, or else is may just not take, or work for you. I know first hand it takes many crashes into the seemingly never ending pit to get well.
I have learned so many lessons in life and still am learning. Cheers to that. Life is a progression and "live and learn" experience as they say. At least some are.
Anyway, Sunsetta is moving on into 6th grade. I am proud of her very much so! I pray and hope she lives to be 120 years old. The Syracuse team says they have patients well into their 60's and 70's, so there is a lot of hope!
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