Dear Andy,
Things kind of suck right now, huh? The book said you wouldn’t live to see your 25th birthday, doctors aren’t exactly predicting you’ll live much longer and you’re coughing up a storm most every day. That’s the last bit of negativity you’ll hear from me. I’m here to tell you some things.
1. One, things do get better and for a time, they’ll get worse. What’s important is that you hang in there during the bad days and celebrate the good ones.
2. Don’t get too wrapped up in statistics including that encyclopedia. Predictions are often wrong but it’s up to you to do everything in your power to prove them wrong. You’re a lot stronger than you think.
3. You need to start working out and running. Those two things alone will add years to your life.
4. Don’t blame everyone for your problems. There’s only one person you can blame in this world and you see him every day in the mirror. Blame, though, is not something in which you need to focus.
5. At 16, you’ll finally gain independence from cystic fibrosis and have the freedom to go to college just from one device. It’s not a car. Let’s just say the “vest” has yet to come.
6. College is going to be tough but eventually you’re going to figure out that you weren’t given cystic fibrosis so you could have a shortened life. You’ll see that this disease has secretly given you strength, passion and opportunities you would never have without it.
7. Wendy is never too far away. One day you’ll figure out a way to pay her back for visiting you in your dreams and giving you hope. Oh yeah, by the way, that girl in the dreams…that’s her.
8. You’re going to be told that having children is an impossibility. There are no impossibilities though, Andy, with perhaps the exception of any of your sports franchises winning anything of significance.
9. Oh yeah, you may dabble in standup comedy.
10. Four years from now your parents will surprise you with some really good news. You will be blessed with an addition to your family who may star in a reality TV show one day. You don’t know what reality TV is so let’s not worry about it right now.
11. In less than a decade, doctors will find the CF gene. Don’t get too excited as it doesn’t mean a cure is within reach but it is a good starting point.
12. You’re going to be invited to a party a few years after college. Even though you won’t be in the mood, you’ll need to go. That’s where you meet that special someone. Oh, and this special someone is an even stronger fighter than you. And she laughs at your jokes. That’s huge!
13. Talk to Nana Rose. You need to know how amazing she is and what’s she been through. It will give you a feeling of gratitude for all that you have.
14. Don’t just get stronger for you. Help people who need that same attitude. Wendy is helping you. You need to help others.
15. Don’t let negativity creep into your life. If there are people out there that poison you with it, kick them to the curb.
16. I know you idolize Superman but truth be told you don’t need a cape to be a role model.
17. You can have children. It may not be the way you want to have them but you can have them. All I ask is that you name at least one after a Braves pitcher.
18. Uncle Bobby may be tough on you now but it’s all part of a worthwhile strategy.
19. In college and beyond, you should start playing softball. The sport will change your life in more ways than you can ever imagine.
20. You’re an addict. I want to be the one to tell you. Don’t get too low on bad things and too high on good ones. That’s how you’ll learn to cope.
21. Take advantage of having Howard in your life. Dogs are truly man’s best friend and you have a damn good one.
22. If you ever want to write a song about your nebulizer, do it. Oh, and by the way, you still don’t have any musical talent whatsoever.
23. A few non-CF notes: At the risk of insider trading, don’t buy Enron stock. Don’t get too wrapped up in Milli Vanilli. Something called a GPS will cure your lack of direction sense. Y2K is a hoax.
24. Don’t get too concerned about the pulmonary function test (PFT). Some appointments it will suck. Others it will be great. It shouldn’t determine your mindset or your effort the moment you leave the hospital.
25. And finally, if you give it everything you have, you’ll live long past 25. You’ll even have grey hair. You’ll have 2 children and an amazing wife. And you will create a legacy. Oh and one other thing, you will kick the crap out of cystic fibrosis.
Now get some sleep because dad is going to introduce you to baseball in the morning.
Love,
You at 43
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