Counting Blessings

I spent some time yesterday getting "pushed around" by my husband.  LOL!  (Thought you'd appreciate that, Hannah!) :)  He took me to the chiropractor in my new chair. 🙂

The chiro seems to think I have "facet joint syndrome".  Just click on the name to go to a site that explains it fairly well.  To be honest, I was quite fearful that it would be something more serious.  It certainly feels very serious!  So this diagnosis, although unpredictable, is better than something that would require surgery.

I did feel some immediately relief after the adjustment.  Although, after sitting for any length of time, the pain comes back with a vengeance.  I keep doing a little bit more each day.  "Slow and steady wins the race!" like the hare and the tortoise taught us. 😉

I'm feeling a little bit sorry for myself that I'm going to miss church again.  And please don't tell my pastors, but I miss the choir the most!  ;)  We are already practicing for our Christmas cantata, and I love that so much!  Also our choir is always learning new songs, so I miss out on those as well, and feel like I'm getting behind.  I do enjoy watching them on the web site, though.  It's fun to "see" your choir perform, rather than just hearing it.

I was quite pleased my how comfy my chair performed yesterday, although it did feel peculiar to be rolling around at everyone's waist level.  It's funny how much difference a foot or two can make in your perspective of things.  Now I know why they tell new parents to crawl around their house on hands and knees to view how their baby will see the world, so they know how to "childproof" their home more effectively.  Thankfully, I was not quiiiiiite down on that level!!! lol!

Can I just say again how wonderful my husband has been through all of this?  He is managing Isaac's care without a hitch.  Remember he was home with him full time for a year or so, so he does really great with all of the things required to keep Isaac happy and healthy. 

Of course, Isaac is older now, and we live in a different house, so some things are different.  His taste in videos has changed and he loves to have his curtains opened so that he can see out; but most things remain the same: feeds, meds, clothes changes…and lots of TLC!

Doug is also caring for me extremely well.  He has a real servant's heart and seems to thrive while meeting the needs of others.  I do not have one complaint about his care for me these past two weeks.  I have not gone without anything that I needed or wanted.  He has done all the laundry, cleaning, and meals as well. 

(Well, to be entirely accurate, I must say that Grammy did come over to visit the other day, and ended up dusting before she left.  Moms always seem to know what little thing might just make your day a little brighter!  She also sent over a few pieces of Jalapeno Cornbread last week. Yummo!!!)

I have felt so loved and cared for by my entire family (and my friends) for the past 2 weeks.  I am such a blessed, blessed woman!

I pray you feel loved and blessed today.  Even if you are alone, and in dire circumstances, please know that you are loved by God, and that He is right there with you.  Remember too, that no matter how hard things may seem, they could be worse!  So we need to count the blessing of this present difficulty.  God has protected us from many other things, and we should praise Him for that.

May God bless you this day,

Alesha

Touch of Autumn

Well, here she is – all 20-inch-seat of her!  Isn't she just beautiful?!!  We call her "Chairy"…short for "Chariot" and "Cherry" – because she is such a sweet ride!

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I can sit in it for short periods of time.  Yesterday Doug sat me right next to Isaac's recliner, and after I had been there for a few minutes, Isaac t-u-r-n-e-d his head to his left and loooooooked at me…as if to say "I thought I heard you over there!"  Isaac very rarely turns his head to the left, so when he does, it's for a good reason. 🙂

Today, I was able to trim and peel carrots:

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This is how far I got:

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Not a marathon peeling session, but a little bit is better than nothing.  I was desperately trying to get those last 9 carrots done, but the pain was just too much.  No need to prolong the healing time for something like carrots! 🙂

I had planned to get to my chiropractor today, but we forgot he closes at 11 a.m. on Thursdays.  So I will call tomorrow for an appointment.  He is always able to take me in right away.  I will be glad to get everything aligned, so that the healing can continue in a better way.

Isaac is really enjoyed having Doug home during the daylight hours.  Doug is enjoying working at night.  I am just happy that they are both happy. 🙂

My mom brought me this gorgeous sunflower last week!  The colors are just amazing for a silk flower.

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I have it tucked in between the dresser and the nightstand, so I can see it all the time.  Since the temperatures here are still in the 90's, and I can't get outside anyway, it's the only little touch of autumn I'm experiencing right now. :)  I know cooler days are ahead.  I just have to be patient.

Thanks for your encouraging comments and for your prayers.  I know God is working miracles all around me.  I can't see all that He is doing, but I know He is faithfully fulfilling the work that He has started in me.

Wishing you blessings this day,

Alesha

Feeling a Little Fezzik-y

As I sat on the edge of the bed this morning and brushed my teeth, my hubby felt the need to wax eloquent about my accomplishment…

So, he quoted Fezzik of The Princess Bride fame:


Fezzik: You
just wiggled your finger. That's wonderful.
Westley: I've always
been a quick healer.

 

Fezzik: You
just shook your head… doesn't that make you happy?
Westley: My brains,
his steel, and your strength against sixty men, and you think a little head
jiggle is supposed to make me happy?


But a little upright teeth brushing did make me happy today! 🙂

There are so many things that I will never take for granted again!  I am trying to take advantage of this learning experience, because Lord willing, I don't want to be doomed to repeat it.

I have been able to sit up for short periods of time today on the bed.  No walking yet, or even standing.  The pain is too intense.  But I do feel like we're making progress.

Thanks again to all of you who have been praying for me.  I appreciate it so very much.

Blessings,

Alesha

 

 

From My Point of View

When your world narrows to just four walls and a bed…

When everything is colored by a haze of pain…

When you are the care-receiver, rather than the caregiver…

Certain undeniable truths rise to the surface:

  • God is merciful
  • Things could be worse
  • Prayer is practiced breath by breath, rather than crisis by crisis
  • The attitude of the patient is just as important as the attitude of the "nurse"
  • You cannot stop trying…even when it hurts, even when you fail
  • Promises of prayer become huge pillars on which your life rests, not mere spindles of religious politeness
  • The art of conversation is a skill not many possess
  • Compassion becomes a driving force, rather than an afterthought
  • Hymns of praise become the soundtrack to your thought life
  • God becomes All in All, a close companion and confidante, a Name whispered in moments of panic and shouted in times of agony, each one a sincere prayer for Divine Intervention

These are truths that, honestly, I would rather not learn; but God has decided I need to know them.

Who am I to question His plan?

As I rest today, here in my room, I am praying for God's divine healing of my back.  I would really by grateful for your prayer of agreement with me on this.

God is a very kind and compassionate friend.  If you admit your need of Him, He is quick to meet your need.  Just cry out to Him today.

Blessings to you this day,

Alesha

Some Questions for You

I've been wondering, so I thought I'd end my own suspense by just asking!

  1. If you leave a comment on a blog, do you check back to read other comments or to see if the author replied to your comment?
  2. If you ask the author a question in your comment, do you check back to see if they answered your question?
  3. Do you usually subscribe to the comments of a blog?

Ok, that's what I need to know for today!  Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer – you guys are the best!!! : )

Well, This is What I Think…

How many times have you heard the above comment? 

And how many times has that comment been followed by a list of grievances, complaints, or negative opinions about someone who is not usually present in the conversation?

I've been reading about all kinds of complainers in the Bible…and I'm not too sure that I feel like complaining about anything for a while.

  • When Miriam complained about God's man, God gave her leprosy. 
  • When the 10 spies came back complaining, God refused to allow them to go into the Promised Land.  
  • When the children of Israel complained about the giants, God refused them admittance into the Promised Land also.
  • When those same 10 spies encouraged the children of Israel to complain, God killed them with a plague.

The Bible also uses the word "murmur" quite often.  It has the following definition:  To grumble; to complain; to utter complaints in a low, half articulated voice.

Hmm…

Well…I think…

God doesn't like complaining.

Sunday, 25 March 2007

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed
today.  We've had 2 odd days with Isaac.  I told Doug when things are
going like this, I start watching for some new insight from the Lord. 
You know, when you are "done" – physically, emotionally exhausted,
spiritually looking for God to move or act or speak – when you have no
way of offering anything to the situation -  God often shows up in a
very real way.  I don't know – maybe we're just paying better
attention at those moments.
 

Isaac had something happen Friday night, after we put him to
bed.  We didn't hear anything.  Doug just went in to check on him, like
we so often do at night.  He was laying there – eyes wide open, tracking
from side to side, sweating, snoring and as limp as a dish rag.

Now you have to understand.  Isaac has CP and
very high tone.  He is very stiff most of the time.  He can bend and
relax occasionally.  However, even in his sleep, he is never limp.  His
hips especially along with his knees never relax, never lay flat.  He
sleeps with them bent up or we put a pillow under his knees.

But Friday night, I changed his diaper and his
legs were laying completely FLAT.  When I picked up his legs to change
his diaper and then let go, they just flopped.  It made my stomach lurch
and I thought I might throw up – it was THAT weird.

So, we surmised he'd had a seizure that we
didn't hear.  That freaks us out and we're definitely looking into a
video baby monitor so it doesn't happen again.

He finally closed his eyes and slept.  Then
Sat. morning he was weepy, then had extended staring seizures all
morning.  He fell asleep around noon and slept until about 5 PM.  The
staring seizures continued, so we administered the big meds.  They did
not stop the staring.  He fell asleep around 10 PM and woke up this
morning at 6:30 and was STILL staring.

So we took him to the ER.  As soon as we got
him in a room and there were 3 nurses standing around his bed – he WOKE
up!  Started his normal flicking his hands, kicking, vocalizing, etc. 
It was amazing and EXTREMELY irritating!!!!!  I couldn't believe how mad
it made me that he was acting normal!  Isn't that awful??? 

(Doug says, though, that we're reaping what he
sowed as a child – when his mom took him to the doctor, she would tell
the dr. about the ear ache, sore throat, etc., and Doug would say, "no,
that doesn't hurt.  I'm not sick."  He said he was so afraid to get a
shot, and thought if he said he was fine, the doctor wouldn't poke him
with the needle!!!!)

Anyway,
they contacted our neurologist, who upped one of Isaac's seizure meds. 
The ER dr. gave us a script for eye drops (Isaac had stared open-eyed
for nearly 24 hours, except when asleep, and his eyes looked awful,
blood shot and dry.) Then they sent us home.

I'm so tired.  Two nights of barely sleeping,
then early to the ER.  We're trying to get everything ready for our trip
to Miami next week.  Doug and I are both weepy and a little grumpy –
just feeling very stressed.

I
am amazed at God's goodness to us.  I was thinking today of those old
country western songs.  The verses are sometimes long and sad and
enumerate all the awful things that are going on.  But then the chorus
eventually has an upswing in tempo, some decision is made and the singer
decides that life will continue. 

My life is like that.  Sometimes the verses of my life are
sweet and happy, and other times they might be sad.  But my life cannot
be one verse after another.  I must have a refrain, a chorus that brings
a culmination to my story song. 

I get to choose my chorus.  It can "gloom, despair and agony"
or "he stopped loving her today" or "the next time he cheats, it won't
be on me" or "you picked a fine time to leave me" or all about "friends
in low places".

BUT as for
me and my house, we have to choose another chorus.  Our refrain is
filled with "how great is our God" and "holy, holy, holy".  "God is so
good", "when we all get to heaven", "what a day that will be", "the
blood's still there" or "Hallelujah!  Praise ye the Lord!" – my chorus
has to praise my Father and testify of His goodness to me.

Does your "refrain" praise Him?  What is the
"chorus", the soundtrack so to speak, of your life?

Alesha