November 4 2014

November 4 2014 Greetings My Friend, Today I regroup and work my way back to a decent energy level again. The two days of running have wore me out and now I start over again. It is discouraging to start over all the time but when I do I am able to accomplish so much and enter into life loving, learning, giving and sharing all for God’s glory. The fatigue overtook me both days we ran. When we got home I slept a lot and yesterday I even slept while Junior was in the dentist office getting his cavity filled. We got done what we needed and again when we got home I took another nap. Getting my haircut and highlighted was a bright spot in the two days of running. As I read a few statuses on the help groups I hear of pain and fatigue so much greater than mine and my heart breaks for these people. I understand that this disease is progressive. I was in my late 50’s when I got diagnosed so my prayer is I won’t need surgery etc. I do deal with many of the symptoms they just aren’t as painful. Now that I understand that I will need this time to regroup I am not beating myself up like I was. I can’t and hard as I try I can’t so I am learning to go with it. I am learning that some days will be better than others. This is a fact of Chiari Malformation and I can let it get me down or I run with it. I choose to run with it. COPD plays into this and I’ve found many of the triggers that cause me to have bronchitis. I am learning to stay away from the triggers and bronchitis isn’t overtaking me as often. As I continue to exercise I am seeing that my goal in having a quality of life is much like working at exercise. The more things I do to deal with my health the longer I go without going down as far. So for a day or two I will work slower and nap if I need one. In a day or two I will be back to moving throughout the day in a more energetic way. These days I’ve learned that I have a lot to offer for the good of others still. I am able to write, to clean house, to cook, to pray and I am a friend when need be. That feels good. Alongside of that I am crafting like working on a tee shirt quilt, refurbishing furniture and working on a collage project of pictures I have taken. Being thankful for the health I do have even the struggles I have helps me a lot. In the struggles with my health I continue to lean on God for guidance and direction and I feel His presence. I find new ways to do things and that feels rather good. My brain is learning to do new things not a bad thing. My energy level also matches Junior’s energy level and we both are patient with each other when we need time to regroup. We encourage each other to get back up again. The comments from friends on Facebook encourage me as I show pictures of our works in progress. My community of Chiarians helps me to keep on going and I am able to be an encourager to someone else. God creates us to be in community and the more I enter into the community the more I find a fullness to life. Thank you Jesus. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet