Melissa Ludwig, or “Missy,” as we’ve come to know her, is an ardent baseball fan, a “foodie,” and a reader (who especially enjoys Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Piccoult, and Jennifer Weiner). Missy loves to watch her home team, the Philadelphia Phillies, play, and though she can only attend about one game a season, she makes sure to watch every game on TV. Missy loves baseball so much that she refers to baseball to help describe what life is like with cystic fibrosis (CF): “Just when you think you have a handle on your life, your disease- it throws you a big curveball (…) It’s hard to make long-term plans because you never know how your health will be a few weeks, a few months, or a few years from now.” And like many Take A Breather Wish recipients, Missy had an especially challenging year before her Take A Breather vacation. Along with curveballs from CF, Melissa was also dealt a few in her personal life. She describes how, “This past year has been rough for me and I have had to make some tough decisions recently. So this trip could not have come at a better time.” Missy’s CF social worker concurred and nominated Missy for a Take A Breather Wish.
Missy received her breather: a trip to San Francisco for her and her parents. And given Missy’s love of America’s pastime, what would a trip be without a baseball game? Missy saw the Giants play the Mets at AT&T park and loved it. But the Ludwig family didn’t stop with baseball; they also saw the Conservatory of Flowers, the Fisherman’s Wharf, and more! Missy describes how, “There was so much to see and do, there was no time to worry about anything the whole vacation. I came back feeling lighter and happier than I in a long time. We all loved every minute, but the definite highlight was going to see the Giants play the Mets at AT&T Park. I also loved seeing the lovely sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf and the vibrant colors at the Conservatory of Flowers and tasting the best dim sum ever in Chinatown.”
