Re: Deanna, Brandans age

[Guest guest]

Deanna,

My son Brandan is going to be 18 in March. You can read his story on

the PAI site, he was not officially diagnosed with CP until 2000 when he was 14,

but all his life I felt as if I was one of these Moms that when I arrived at

the doctors office I could hear them say " ITS MRS BATES AGAIN! " Brandan has

ALWAYS complained of pain his entire life, especially after he ate, BUT for him

he thought it was normal. BUT from day one, I have always believed his pain

and told him so, no matter what doctor didn't I DID. For years it was thought

to be something other than it was and the fact that my son appeared to be

" NORMAL " led the doctors to believe it was something other than it was too.

Disney the happiest place on earth, for my family in 2000 was the unhappiest.

For

Brandan spent many days in the ICU there upon arrival for our long awaited

family vacation. We never did make Disney, and our journey began with what

became known as PAINCREATITIS from that moment.

Brandan is a very special person, even though he suffers the way he does

he always thinks of others. My focus for him has been to make him see the

light at the end of the tunnel even when I felt the tunnel was closing in on us.

I often have told him that by him going through what he has, perhaps it will

help another child not to have to endure what he did. I have always stressed

to him to get through the bad days and enjoy the good, and always take it

" ONEDAY " at a time. For it truly is all anyone of us can do! Tomorrow is not

promised to anyone, besides I believe there are people out there alot worse off

than we are.

He has battled this horrific disease like a hero and I am very proud of

him. He watched and helped as his grandmother battled and lost her fight with

cancer a few months prior to his surgery and then following surgery he

watched and helped me again as his father battled rectal cancer and won! You

said,

" If anything good can come out of this illness, " TRUST ME there is NOTHING

good that comes from this disease other than knowing perhaps we can help

another.

My relationship with my son has always been very special for as I said

he is a very special person, and I truly think I am the fortunate one to have

a son like Brandan.

As always keeping you and yours in our thoughts and prayers...Keep

smiling(cuz sometimes its all one can do!) TTFN.. : )

Peg Bates

Brwnbare9@...

Massachusetts State Chapter Rep.

Pancreatitis Association Intl.

" It truly is amazing how one person can make a difference. "