Lillie

This is my Hero and me. (I took this picture.)

Lillie is my hero because she is an outstanding survivor of Crohn's disease; she has a good heart and loves everyone. She is involved with her community in North Carolina. She did not give up through her long journey of recovery. She said, “I had to keep striving to make it because I had too many things in life left to do, and I have to stay here for my family.” I admire her for her bravery through the hard times. It would have been so easy for her to simply give up, but she was ready for the fight.

It was four years ago when the disease hit. When she went to the doctor they took all kinds of tests. When the doctor came in with the results she was devastated that the final diagnosis is of Crohn's disease. She said there was a list of thoughts and emotions swirling around in head. The main ones were shock, worry, and disbelief.

Lillie thought the rough part was over, but it was just beginning. She weighed 140 pounds when she got sick and within three weeks she was down to 107 pounds. She was so weak that she couldn’t walk, or get out to do anything. The whole time she was at the breaking point, all she thought of was her grandchildren and other family members. This, she believes, gave her the strength and courage to not give up and to try to eat and move even when the pain was too great.

Lillie said “I can not give the doctors all the credit, because if it was not for God’s guidance through the diagnoses and the treatment they would have had no clue of what to give me. Our lives are in His hands and whatever he has in store for us is all planned by Him.” She said that throughout this experience she has gained a lot more respect for people who are disabled and can not get out or walk. I truly know how it feels and I respect people more greatly now for having a positive attitude and making it for years like they are and knowing that there might not be a cure for their problems. Crohn’s disease is not like a typical every day disease. The attacks or flair ups of this disease may never occur again. It may happen in a few years, or you may receive an attack the next day. You never know when or what it is going to do. When you are diagnosed with this disease you have it for life. This had made Lillie enjoy every waking day and has caused her to live like there is no tomorrow. She makes the best out of everyday that she has.

I truly admire Lillie for her strength and power to strive to get her disease under control. She is an amazing person who has overcome and won her battle. She is now currently back working, trying to gain all the needed weight back, and has not had another attack so far.