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Then You Begin To Make It Better

Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better

According to Webster's Dictionary...
Take (as in take a sad song...): to get into one's hands or into one's possession, power, or control

Better (as in to make it better): improved in health or mental attitude

Then you begin to make it better

This line from The Beatles' song "Hey Jude" was Emma's Facebook post three days after finding out that she, like her sister Maddie, has Pompe disease.  Donna and I were still trying to put one foot in front of the other and Emma was ready to fight .  I shouldn't have been surprised by her strength and conviction, but reading the post still brought tears of joy.

It is now just over one week since the diagnosis and Emma is digging into her new diet and exercise routine while pushing me to get her on a spot on the Patient Advisory Board at Amicus Therapeutics.  She wants to take charge of the situation and be an active member of the Pompe community.  Grandpa Crowley would be proud! 

So what's happend in the last week?  The girls have completed their Pulmonary Function Tests (just relax and breathe!) at CHOP and we've scheduled Emma's cardiology and MRI tests.  I doubt we'll see Mr. Funky Town at the MRI again, but perhaps a new story awaits.  Through our doctor at CHOP, we have also been in contact with Dr. Barry Byrne at the University of Florida regarding a potential clinical trial with Myozyme + pharmacological chaperones from Amicus Therapeutics.  We should know more in a couple weeks and then decide which direction we want treatment to go.  In other words, just another quiet week at the Crowley house. 

While the recent days and weeks have not been easy, Donna and I remain very fortunate to have three lovely kids who are ready to take the reality of today and fight.  Then we'll begin to make it better.

All the best,
Matt and Donna

Credit to: The Beatles, "Hey Jude"

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2010 at 1:43 PM

    Where do you suppose these three lovely kids get their fight and optimism? Stay strong.
    Always here for you all.
    xxoo
    The Gagnons

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2010 at 2:00 PM

    Your family is in my thoughts and prayers every day.

    Sincerely,

    Nina

    ReplyDelete
  3. Meghan CrowleyFebruary 21, 2010 at 9:55 PM

    Emma,

    You have such a beautiful soul and I KNOW that Grandpa is looking down at you smiling from ear to ear! You are the strongest and most selfless person I have ever known! Stay strong Miss Emma!!! I am always here for you! (Maddie...that means you too!) I love you both so much!!

    Love you,

    Meghan

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2010 at 11:47 AM

    “Blood is just red sweat.”
    Enson Inoue

    Keep up the fight Crowley girls. (All 3 of you)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief. ~William Shakespeare, Othello

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. ~Mother Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2010 at 1:40 PM

    Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. ~Garth Brooks

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2010 at 8:12 PM

    “Take the first step, and your mind will mobilize all its forces to your aid. But the first essential is that you begin. Once the battle is started, all that is within and without you will come to your assistance.”
    Robert Collier

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2010 at 11:38 PM

    Hi Matt, Donna, Emma, Carter and Maddie,
    It's so helpful to read your blogs.... thank you so much for sharing your highs and lows, humor and lyrics... and especially your family love. we are so impressed with your drive and strength! cheers, Sara

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    Carter Crowley is the man.

    Coach Meakim

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2010 at 2:46 PM

    We think of you all often, and pray your strength and faith get you through the worst of days. Thanks for the updates...Egnaczyk Family

    ReplyDelete

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