Corey C: Surviving Daughter of Scleroderma Patient

My mom was diagnosed with scleroderma in May of 1999. It started out as easy and manageable, but after six months to a year it started to go a different direction. She ended up on dialysis and with more and more doctor's appointments.

She seemed good spirited and under control. She was angry sometimes because she did not understand why it was her and what she did.

On Christmas of 2001, she was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for water on her heart and they indicated then that she had a small part of scleroderma on her lungs. It was a very long process and scary because she really did not know what to expect next.

She stopped her dialysis because they said she went into remission and that they did not see any reason to continue her dialysis, which I thought was great.

In 2003, my mom's breathing decreased and she was placed on oxygen twenty-four hours a day. My son spent a lot of time with my mom. He thought she was the best of Nanas. She gave him her heart every day that she was here and she loved him with all her heart. We pretty much spent twenty-four hours a day with her. I did not want to miss out on any part of her life for a second.

In 2005, we were going to try a new testing drug and we were in the process of going through the training of how, when and what we were supposed to do.

On February 28, 2005, I went to see my mom after work and she said that she wanted to go to the hospital. She touched my cheek and said, "It's okay, Corey. I love you and everything will be fine." I told my dad and he called an ambulance and she was rushed in.

On March 1, 2005, she passed away.

I just wanted to say that parents are created for a reason. Cherish every moment that you have with them. I miss my mom very much. I really do not understand all of this and still am not taking this very easy.

I love you and I miss you, mom!