Resolve! to live

This is not an herbal remedy, but is healing and medically related. Best area I could find for this post.

I see several members here making statements about declining health, or health issues. I know all about declining health and suddenly discovered health issues. I have C.O.P.D. (Chronic Obstructive Pulminary Disorder) with an Asthma component. At least that is what I was told when I was 35. I was a heavy smoker, and not very close to God. I was having some breathing troubles and decided I needed to quit smoking, so I'd feel better. At a health fair at work in order to get free nicotine patches you had to blow into a machine that measured lung volume. Well I got my free patches and an appointment card. I was told I needed to quit smoking immedately, and should be on Oxygen therapy.

Take a good look at that picture of me that I am using as an avatar. No Oxygen!! that is nine years later, and no breathing machines, not a single restriction to me doing as I please!! I have been told that I am blessed. YES I AM!! When you have a diagnosis, you go through many stages of thought. Denial, Depression, and finally acceptance. But it does not have to end there, I am living (breathing) proof that with help from God, you can have the Resolve to actually continue to live your life.

I know getting through a few rough patches takes time, and I am well aware of how hard it is to adapt to this new way of living, but it is living.

You do not have to let advancing years, nor declining health rob you of anything life has to offer!!

Someone needed to hear this (at least I was made to believe that) I hope this helps you.

Thanks for sharing your story Keith, it's a reminder to me to concentrate on enjoying my life even in times of recurring health struggles.

It is my hope that others will, after accepting what ever problem arises, will look for what they can do and still find joy in living instead of giving up.

Christ really does make your burdens lighter.

Keith, you make some good points. I've been battling depression off and on. The doctors don't know what's wrong with me, but they do know that I have nerve damage and muscle loss in both of my legs. I also have degenerative disc disease, but the doctors tell me that's not what's causing the neuropathy. I had back surgery a little over a year ago, and it seemed to really help. I was able to get in the garden again and could do my shopping without using my wheelchair. However, before we even got the garden harvested I developed another symptom, my leg would just stop working. Something prevented the single from going from my brain to my leg. Now I have bilateral neuropathy, where before it was just the left leg. Right now the doctors have me on complete bedrest because they don't believe my legs are stable enough for me to be walking. I'm really trying to figure out where I should go from here, so your post is a timely reminder that God knows what's going on and will either show the doctors so they can fix it, heal me Himself, or show me how to still function without the use of my lower extremities. I don't want to end up in a wheelchair permanently, but I've already been trying to figure out how I can still work in my garden if that were to happen. So thanks for the encouraging words.

Thanks for sharing your story, Sonshine. I am beginning to see why the lord led me here. My wife (happily married since 1993 thank you) has many health issues. Ostieo Gennisus Imperfecta is the actual diagnosis. Basically brittle bones due to a genetic mutation. She worked for 20 years until an injury forced the decision for her to stay home. She is one of the few who live over 40, and fewer still who walk at all. We research adaptive wheelchairs at all times, because there is so much she wants to do, but figuring out how to do it is the hard part.
I know you are not ready for a chair. Just like my wife refuses to stop walking, even if it is with crutches.
Being in a wheel chair does not mean having to be house bound, or stuck to the sidewalks. Check these out:

http://www.freedommobilityllc.com/

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/off-road-powerchair.htm

As for the neuropathy, my father in law has it in both legs and it is starting in his hands. The root cause of his was hemolitic anemia. (basically his immune system decided his red blood cells were an infection) Like you he has good and bad days. The degenerative disc issue is a tough one. Mom has a bit of it, but with her the main concern is she has bone spurs that are growing inside her vertebrae.

The point of this list of frailties is you are not alone, others are also suffering, and everyone will eventually have some health issue.

Have a great day!! and smile, God is watching you.

Thanks for the info on the chairs. I have one electric one, but sold my manual chair after my back surgery. Guess I should have held on to it. Right now I do ok with a walker, well, most of the time. I have wondered if my neuropathy could be an auto-immune disease. I have a few relatives with lupas, but one of the doctors I saw said he didn't believe it was because they usually affect the entire body and not just the lower extremities. I haven't asked the neurosurgeon about it though, so I'll try to remember to ask him the next time I see him.

I know that God still has a purpose for me, although when I had to give up children's ministries it really threw me into a tailspin of depression. Now, I guess I consider this forum my ministry. Joe bought me a laptop and a lapdesk so I can get on, even when I have to lay down.

One thing you'll learn about me, I'm a tough cookie. I posted my testimony in General chat (I think that's it) under everyone's got a story, or something like that. It's rather long, but I hope it will be an encouragement to others. No matter what life throws at us, God gives us what we need to get through it.

Yes ma'am!!

Let me know if I can help in some way. Words, topic search, or whatever.

How bout prayers?

Sonshine, 12acrehome may be the answer to a few of our prayers. He is tech savy, willing to help with the board, knowledgable and can provide the spiritual reminders that we both seem to be in need of these days. Thanks 12 acrehome for sharing some of your family's history and understanding what some of us are going through.

Prayers are a given sonshine, if you need a special prayer just let us know.

Thanks for the kind words Patrice IN IL.

Patrice, I agree.

Keith,
Did you quit using the patches? Nicotene therapy makes me mad...lol! Not a laughing matter but I have been trying to quit off and on for some time. I recently found a really good book called The Easy Way to Quit Smoking. I really like what they guy says concerning quitting. My D-day is on Thursday of this week. It will be my last day to smoke.

I know I need to quit. My breathing isn't getting any better and I so want to test for the level 2 belt test for Krav Maga, but won't be able to if I don't quit before then. The test is in April and will last about 4.5 hours. It is a grueling test and I managed to pass the first one, but this one will be much harder.
Please keep me in prayer. It is the brainwashing I need to beat. The withdrawls aren't bad....Yes, I tried a week ago and failed. It wasn't the cravings but the voice that keeps saying, you need a cigarette. Mainly, it is something I want to do for God, but also the health issues.

Yup...God brought you here for a reason. Thanks for sharing that!

7dawn,
I will gladly pray for you! The first five attempts failed completely!! I could cut down to one or two cigarettes a day, and not hate the world. I tried patches, gum, lozenges, and pills. Nothing worked! Finally (true story, not fluff) I asked God's help with a medical issue my wife was dealing with, and to give me the strength to help her through. Three weeks later I realized I had not smoked since praying for help with the other matter. I was standing in line at a convience store, waiting to pay for gas. I almost bought a pack out of habit. Told myself no, picked up some hard candies instead and started putting what I would have spent on cigarettes in a jar. 8 months later I paid $1,300 cash for a double rifle. These days when I say I'm gonna go smoke something it has an entirely different meaning!