March 17 2015

March 17 2015 Greetings My Friend I keep chipping away at my health problems and slowly they are coming under control. Today I see a gastrologist regarding my swallowing difficulties, the burning in the pit of my stomach and an occasional bouts of pain. I am grateful step by step through this long process I am finding a measure of energy and with supplements, essential oils and medication a way to cope/live with all of the issues within me. My visits to doctor’s are not as frequent as they were when I started on this journey and for that I am grateful also. In my heart I believe a consistent conversation with God has helped me reach this point without too many rabbit trails along the way. My PCP has been able to point me in the right direction and in my heart I believe God placed her in my path as well. Prior to this doctor I felt I was not taken seriously and so went around several blocks not getting anywhere. I don’t know where today’s appointment will lead me but I am willing to go through the tests and procedures that may coming my way. If I can stop bringing up food, even water as much I will be grateful. If I have to learn to live with it that is okay too. At least I will understand the problem and learn how to deal with it. As I ponder these thoughts I find myself going back and looking at the older people who were before me in my life. I have a friend or two who are in their 70’ and 80’s now and even Junior is my senior by 7 years so I can see how they deal with their health issues, their disappointments and such. I pray in some way I am also helping another generation to cope with their older years. J is a friend in his mid 80’s whom I’ve watched loose one ability after another. He does so with an acceptance of where his life is at and the age he is. I look to him quite a bit to be honest. He has lost some of his hearing, his legs continue to give out until today he needs to be in a scooter most of the day. He relies on his daughter to help him with his home and meals to some extent and as he continues to go downhill there will the time he will have to live with his daughter and her husband. He doesn’t bemoan the fact that he can’t do or be what he once was. He enjoys where he is at the moment and his daughter allows him to decide when he needs an extra set of hands to the point of moving in with him. His daughter is smart by allowing him time to process each change in his abilities and lets him ask for the help he needs. It would be easy to go in and insist on being his caregiver but instead she lets him arrive at the need on his timing. I also know it is hard for her to watch her Dad as he struggles to stay as active as he can but I believe by letting him come to the point of asking for help she allows him to come to terms with each stage of his disabilities. Mom and Dad wanted to be cared for at home so us kids provided that the best we could in their final months of life. Mom needed round the clock care so we divided up the day and some friends helped us with the process. I am glad I was able to give both parents what they needed at the end of their lives. I also understand that at times we insisted on doing things the way we saw best and in the end we did what we could and I think they felt the love. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet