Theldoris and Don were greatly saddened to have to leave Arizona and missing their granddaughter's graduation ceremony, but they had no choice. Upon her return to Albuquerque, it was eventually diagnosed that Theldoris had Stevens - Johnson syndrome, a disease that develops widespread erythema and blistering with involvement of over 50 percent of the body surface as well as eyes, mouth, and nasal pharynx following an upper respiratory viral infection. Based on case registries and observational studies, the incidence of Stevens - Johnson syndrome is probably (1-3 cases per million inhabitants per year).
Theldoris accumulated second-degree burns throughout her entire body from head to toe and she lost her hair and all her toenails and finger nails. Friends who came to visit her openly wept as they were disturbed and deeply saddened when they saw Theldoris and the condition she was in. She would remain in intensive care for two weeks. Her blood was boiling so bad that there were legions in her nose and all-around her mouth but there was not much the doctors could do beyond what they already done to reverse the process; they just had to let it run its course. An ordeal that started May 22 would last until June 29, when she would eventually be released from the hospital.
Throughout all the trauma, disappointment and pain, Theldoris and Don remain spiritually strong and committed to each other. There would be many times when Theldoris would end up comforting her visitors who had come to comfort her. “I would have to assure family and friends that I would be okay because God was taking care of me. They would look at the exterior, but I knew God was inside, and he would heal me outwardly when it was time.” Theldoris saw her personal tragedy as an opportunity for her to witness to others about the greatness of Christ in her life.
Theldoris has always felt that she has had a special relationship with Christ. From when she was 5 and became aware that there was a God, to the moment she accepted him as her personal savior at the age of 32, she has always felt his presence. "God has been my strength through everything and I find comfort in witnessing to others whenever the opportunity arises. I used to question God about why I always seem to be the one to suffer. And then I realized my suffering has been shared with my mate because he suffers right along with me. And God gave me wisdom to realize when others would see me and Don remain spiritually strong throughout our suffering, our lives would serve as a witness to them of God's greatness and they could see Christ as a merciful Savior."
“I feel like Job because there has been a lot that we have had to go through. And yes I feel tested in my faith, but I also believe what Romans 8:28 says, ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.'”, says Theldoris.
Through it all, Theldoris and Don Maxey have grown stronger in their faith and continue to be ambassadors for the work of the God they serve so diligently.
Theldoris counts her life as privileged to be placed in a position to be a witness for God and share with others that he delivers you no matter what you're going through. “I was told that I need to check my life to see what I was doing wrong as the reason for my trials by people close to me. But the scripture that came to my mind was Romans 8:1, ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'
The parent-child relationship is physically, socially, and psychologically unique among all other human relationships. As Don stated earlier in this article, whenever a child passes away, it seems contrary to our understanding of the natural order of things. Many parents initially feel intense anger at the loss of a child.
Sometimes parental anger is directed inward by the parents as they blame themselves. Other times parents project their anger onto each other as they struggle individually to make sense of their loss. But the Maxey's have always kept channels of communication open between themselves and spoke openly about their feelings. They legitimized each other's feelings in times of grieving, which enabled them to grow closer through all the tragedy.
Don and Theldoris Maxey have been an inspiration for everyone that knows them and they hope that through the telling of their story that others can understand the greatness of the God they serve. “We don't see ourselves as being the victims of a tragic existence, we understand, as Job did, that no matter what comes our way we know that God is ultimately in control.”
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