Why We Couldn’t Bear Through it Alone
We were complete strangers to each other
Living life with complex medical conditions all on our own
Longing for a sister and best friend to help us move forward
As we bear through the challenges chronic illness provides
It was a urology support group that bound us together
We bonded over our similar health issues and the ones that differed
Inspiring Each Other With a Bear
On the daily, we inspired each other
When one of us had a bad day
We picked the other one up
Wiped away her tears
And took a hold of her burdens
Because pain gets lighter when it’s shared
We shared the mutual understanding that
Joy spreads so easily when you have a teddy bear in your arms
Teaching Kristina the Magic of Build-a-Bear
We crossed the eight-hour drive of a gap between us
By mailing each other build-a-bears
A mail order bride for Angelo Kristina’s favorite bear
Then Hershey came along as Kristina’s emotional support bear
When she had her urostomy surgery where Nemo was born
Becca received the bear Skippy who created mischief wherever he went
Before meeting Becca
Kristina had no idea
About the magic of Build-a-Bear
Everything We Share
She did know that Becca loved coffee
And didn’t know the magic of Tim Hortons
So she sent her Tim Hortons K-cups
A little taste of Canada
The two girls also share a love of writing
And even created a blog together
They both found writing to help beyond sharing their stories
For Kristina and Becca writing is cathartic and therapeutic
They also both share a neurogenic bladder
And have survived multiple bouts of urosepsis and sepsis
As well as countless more minor infections
Kristina and Becca are both on the autism spectrum
And are both developmentally delayed
And struck with mental health issues
How We Bear Through Our Health Conditions Together
Becca gets all her food and drinks intravenously
Most of her medications are intravenous as well
The ones that don’t go through a J-tube
She is also oxygen and wheelchair dependent and in liver failure
Currently, her condition is terminal
Kristina has a Functional Movement Disorder
Which affects her ability to walk long term
And causes issues with balance and tremors
She also had post-sepsis syndrome
Her traumatic brain injury
Has made the post-sepsis syndrome even worse
An Eternal Friendship
When one of us is struggling, we lift the other one up
Our friendship will last for an eternity and beyond