Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.
My Husband, My brother in Christ
Radiologist's report of my MRI
My husband looked at the report this morning. He told me that the inflamed lesion was consistent with active MS. However, my husband is concerned that I may not recover fully physically from this one.
Possible coarses of action:
1. Chemo therapeutic agents that will stop my immune system from attacking itself resulting in possible hair loss. (Hey, I'll save some time and money not having to go to that hair salon, but I won't get to share Christ with all those gossiping women.)
2. Ongoing injection therapy such as Rebif. Which is a 3 times a week subcuntaneous injection that causes flu-like symptoms. (Which, if I take it before I go to bed, I could hopefully sleep through most of the side effects.)
I use to take intramuscular once a week injection. I would sit there and stare at this HUGE needle I had to stab in my leg by myself knowing that I would get very sick. I was unable to function as a mother for about 24 hours and then it took 2 more days to fully recover. So I had 4 good days a week. Then I switched to a daily subcantaneous injection that just left a lot of "bee stings" all over my stomache. But I did not get sick. I had to quit because it was breaking our bank and Jon was still in medical school. So I have thus tried the nutrion route, which is now apparently not enough. Why am I okay with all of this? "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
2 Corinthians 4:17
Do you see now why Philippians is so perfect for me to memorize right now and is also such a timely book to study?
Comments
My wife and I will be sure to add you to our prayers.
I can completely see why Philippians is a favorite of yours. Paul, as you're well aware, suffered physical affliction-- and not just from beatings. His learning of contentment is quite encouraging.
My wife suffers from neurofibromatosis. Since I have known her, I don't think there has ever been a time when she hasn't been in excruciating pain. Yet, she has one of the best spirits I have ever come across. Sure she has her down moments, but they are very rare. And she has been instrumental in my life and in the life of others.
I do not understand much about MS, but I'm certain God is using you through your illness. Perhaps it's just with your children. Perhaps with your husband. One can spend endless time speculating on this. We'll never really know, this side of heaven. This is why meditating on such scriptures as in Phil is so helpful. When we can live consistently with them, without leaning on our full understanding of our circumstances, we truly glorify God.
-Mike
Posted by: Mike Young | June 19, 2006 11:07 AM
Once again, I appreciate your honesty, Lisa. You seem to be one step ahead of me in the struggle with your illness, so I am privileged to be able to draw upon your steadfastness and faith.
Pride is a huge struggle for me right now, as I just bought a cane and will be needing to ask for a handicapped placard soon. It just kind of hit me today - I am what most people would call "handicapped", with an illness that no one knows the cause and very few medications work to reduce the symptoms.
I want to do more than learn to accept my limitations, though. I want to embrace them and use them to God's glory. I am just not sure what that "looks like" on a daily basis.
A dear friend from church has been emailing me some encouraging and challenging words and here is part of what she had to say today:
"It is like we are porcupines, with our sin sticking out all over, and
our circumstances are a wonderful tool to help us see our quills and
prayer the tool to help us pull out our quills. Our circumstances are
the setting in which we realize which quill is sticking out where. Our
lack of gratitude is the first indication we have a problem."
Msy the Lord continue to bless you as you seek to serve Him.
Sheshe
Posted by: sheshe | June 19, 2006 03:34 PM
One step ahead? No, Sheshe. By far. The only advantage I have is knowing the name of what I am struggling with and having a more defined coarse of action. You have always been an inspiration to me... and we go back and forth, don't we? When I am falling, you have a way of picking me up... a direction, a word of comfort, encouragement, a prayer.
What your friend wrote... I love that illustration. So true.
You wrote: "I want to do more than learn to accept my limitations, though. I want to embrace them and use them to God's glory. I am just not sure what that "looks like" on a daily basis."
Study and memorize Philippians with me. I think Paul is an excellent example of this. I have said this before, and I know you understand. We are in a race, Sheshe. We may not be able to "physically" run this race or run it how we thought we were going to be able to run it, but we are still in the race and we will finish it because HE promised that we, as HIS adopted children, would finish it.
My love and prayers are with you.
I like whatyou wrote, Mike R... "When we can live consistently with them, without leaning on our full understanding of our circumstances, we truly glorify God."
EXACTLY. We must trust in Him daily, moment-by-moment.
His servant for His glory,
Lisa
Posted by: 4ever4given | June 19, 2006 04:32 PM