Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition for which there are only temporary treatments. It was given the nickname 65 roses supposedly because a toddler once told her mother that her friend had “65 roses…cys-tic-fib-ro-sis”.
Jessica battled the condition bravely. One day Jessica called me at the store begging my help. She explained that she had gone to a new doctor and one of the nurses saw how thin Jessica was (an effect of the Cystic Fibrosis) and thought the teen was anorexic. The nurse without inquiring apparently had called Child Protective services and they were visiting the home several times a day to make sure Jessica was being fed! Jessica was frantic and was concerned for how stressed her Mom was. After hours of phone calls and including a call to my state assemblyman, the CPS visits were called off. What amazed me after this incident was that all Jessica could think of was how to thank Chameleon. She began coming in to do data entry for me.
There are so many people out there that just need a little faith in them. Thank you for finding that someone.
Hi Camay!
I’ve read the book SxityFive Roses by Heather Summerhayes Cariou which is where “65 roses” originated. This is an amazing memoir about Heather’s two siblings who both battled cystic fibrosis. I highly recommend this book. Occasionally I will pull out my copy of the paperback and re-read sections.
I’m so sorry I live Sooo far away in north Texas. I would love to visit you again! I miss your big heart and creativity. I’m currently reading another woman’s memoir called Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman. . . . which you might also find interesting. I’m learning more about Hasidic Jews than I ever imagined!
Mitzi Boyd