Tricia & Nate

The worship pastor at our church and his wife (see www.confessionsofacfhusband.com, the link is on my links list to the right) almost got a new set of lungs last night for her. She has Cystic Fibrosis and they both have a new baby and they are basically living at the hospital waiting for a set of lungs that could prolong her life. It is an amazing story that is a testament to faith and trust in God. Check the link out. Our little family prays regularly for them.

Blowout!

My intrepid young son presented me with a gift only a parent could love (and that's really stretching it!) this morning. Yes, a blowout. A pick him up by his wrists, hold your breath, hope nothing drips, do not pass go, go straight to the tub, blowout. If you're a parent please have a laugh at our expense since you have probably been through it. Wow! Thanks for getting the adrenaline going nice and early Jack!

Good Samaritans

They come in all shapes and sizes and one showed up for me yesterday in a well traveled Toyota as I was struggling to figure out why my car was completely dead. It tanked as I was passing the airstrip while on the way to get Jackson from daycare. Went totally dead - no lights, nothing. I drifted to the side of the road and proceeded to get under the hood to wiggle (highly technical term) the loose battery cable that was the culprit. John was classic OBX, easy going construction worker who passed me then turned around and zoomed up. He assisted me cheerfully to resolve the problem and deferred any kind of payment; "Do it for someone else when you get a chance". Know how I know it was a God thing? The "God bless" he sincerely provided as he got in the truck to leave. Grace is rarely more appreciated than when it appears out of nowhere as it did then. Thanks John!

It Ain't About Me

I have not really blogged until recently (last few months). It has become sort of a journal for me that is really pretty cathartic. I can say also that I have viewed the blogs of some other people I know and have a lot of respect for the way they are able to communicate with the written word, thinking maybe I can emulate that a little bit along the way.

The purpose of this blog is evolving, but as nearly as I can say it, I hope to be able to provide a glimpse into the life of someone who is part of something much larger than they are. Obviously, from the title of this blog, you can surmise that I am attempting to live a God-centered life. Some days are better than others and I need to remind myself why I'm here sometimes, but I know for sure that God is there with me along the way. Good part is that I can share the joys and trials as they occur - maybe it can benefit someone else as we go along. I am grateful simply to be able to do it! As a friend has said to me before, it's a God thing!

Good News!

Chris is starting to help make calls and connect with people about the ride ( registration starts April 1 ) and we have gotten a very positive response from the NC chapter of the LFA! They want to support and communicate the plan to see if any other riders want to join up for the cause. Neat stuff.

You know what assuming does...

Wow! Sometimes you really stick your foot in your mouth and it simply surprises you. Ok, maybe not you, but I sure can. Ouch. I managed, through making assumptions, to truly offend someone today without meaning to do so at all. Now you know that making assumptions will make a donkey out of you, to paraphrase, so I will be apologizing in person to mend fences for this error on my part and get things right. I also intend to reflect a bit about the "files" I have in my head regarding certain things. Could be I need to change with the times and create more current files!

Back Home Again

Chris got released from OBX Hosp this afternoon and is home resting. The docs found a blockage in her bladder that is backing up her right kidney and plan to work on it but didn't feel the need to keep her.

The Wolf in Our House

Here's a quick primer on Lupus( Latin for "wolf") :

• It is considered to be a chronic autoimmune disease that creates auto-antibodies which engage in attacking perceived threats against the body's immune system. However the body, in Lupus, cannot distinguish between actual antigens and the body's own cells. Thus the immune system essentially begins attacking the body itself, causing inflammation.

• There are 4 different types of Lupus:

• Discoid Lupus - which affects the skin
• Systemic Lupus - which affects the internal organs (This is the type Chris has)
• Drug Induced Lupus - caused by taking certain types of medication
• Neonatal Lupus - caused by the passing of autoantibodies from mother to child

• It is unknown how Lupus is caused, but environmental factors such as extreme stress, UV light, infections and some drugs play a role. Scientists believe there is a genetic predisposition toward it as well, although there is no known gene that specifically causes it.

• Lupus primarily affects women of child-bearing age, but can also affect men. It tends to appear more frequently in women of African, Asian and American Indian descent. It is manifested through "flares" which are caused by stress.

• The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million - 2 million Americans have some form of Lupus, with 90% being women.

• Now, some of the ways it has affected Chris:

• Kidney involvement
• Consistent major joint pain- hips, shoulders, knees, elbows, wrists, as well as arthritic effects in other joints.
• Reynaud's phenomenon - where the fingers turn red, blue and back to white in cold weather
• Lungs
• Liver
• Brain & central nervous system
• Generalized fatigue
• Depression
• Malar rash - also called a butterfly rash or wolf bite, across the bridge of the nose.
  

Each day presents a new challenge for Chris, who was diagnosed in 1998, and she really doesn't know what when or how it will be manifested. Some days she feels pretty normal and others she can hardly move. There is no planning, just managing the disease process. With that being said there are also times when she handles it well and times when she doesn't, as would be the case with anyone. We have learned this much - that, when we focus on God and allow Him to work in our lives, the whole process becomes more manageable. Funny how that works...

Coming Soon - What is Lupus?

I get asked this question a lot and it has occurred to me that, while I have become educated about the disease through trial and error (mostly Chris' trial and my error :) ), many other people really don't know much about it except what I share with them. I will provide some useful information that will provide clarity. But not tonight. I need to get some sleep. Chris is spending the night in the hospital "recharging", if you will, and I have a busy day tomorrow. In the meantime, for some good info on Lupus go to www.lupus.org and you can learn some of the general issues related to this chronic disease. Good night!

Cycle NC

Well, I've done it! I have talked for months about doing the Fall 2008 Cycle NC ride across NC as a fundraiser for Lupus Awareness Month in October and I have finally gotten the web page for it set up. Take a look when you get a chance, although I still need to tweak it. Thanks!

Playin' Catch...up

OK, back in the saddle and adjusting. I have been transferred to Corolla to work at the Food Lion there which adds 25 miles to the ride so I am getting used to getting up and at'em earlier. Got spoiled on that quick spin to the KDH store!

Chris has been in a completely different place since before I went out of town. She still is experiencing the pain of the Lupus but her attitude has taken a 180 for the better.

Went to the 101 class at NHC with Chris to learn more and take a step toward membership. Really enjoyed it!

Jackson's get a croupy cough that slowed him down this AM - hopefully he will get over it quickly.

I probably will start waiting tables at Sunset Grill again next week to work on bringing the ends a little closer together. I have been working on getting our family's financial house in order, or at least more organized, so that we can figure out a plan. Some truly knowledgeable people have assisted and offered feedback which I really appreciate!

Hope all is well with whoever stops by this blog - thanks for listening!

Smellin' The Barn

After being out of town since Monday, that's what I was doing while driving home last night from Butner, north of Durham. I'll catch you up later once I catch up myself!