The last time I posted, Trent had to go to the dentist to have a tooth pulled. It went well and the dentist informed me that she really has no idea how long those baby teeth will stay in his mouth. We just keep praying.
When Trent was around 7 or 8, he was diagnosed with JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). He eventually outgrew that for the most part, although at times his joints would hurt. Some years ago, the doctors said that he had outgrown the JRA and diagnosed him with psoriatic arthritis.
I took Trent off of sugar around a year and a half ago. He has lost almost 30 pounds and has kept it off. He weighed 168 when he began and now weighs around 139 pounds. The main reason I took him off of sugar is because he struggled with boils. All the doctors ever did was to give him medication to put on his boils to help heal them up. I wanted something that was preventative. I tried various things and the elimination of sugar seemed to help incredibly...until several months ago.
The boils have come back, but not to the extent that they had before. His bigger problem has been a strange rash, especially around the right side of his mouth. It comes from time to time, sometimes every few days, but usually we can clear it up within two to three days.
Last Sunday, the rash started again in the same place. I knew that he had pizza the night prior to that when he had attended a special rec activity. But I figured we could clear it up in a day or two---WRONG!
It is bigger and redder than ever no matter what we do. Sometimes besides the patch by his mouth, his right cheek becomes quite red. I have been at a loss and have asked God for wisdom about what to do, what kind of doctor to call, and what this could possibly be. God answered and gave me the wisdom for which I asked.
I realized that he had been complaining about pain the last several weeks. Trent doesn't complain about pain unless he is REALLY hurting. After being in remission, his arthritis is flaring up again. And if that isn't bad enough, so is the psoriasis that we thought was long gone. After looking up some pictures on line, I know that is what the problem is.
It's so hard for us as parents of a child with special needs to see them go through so much emotional turmoil and then add the physical problems, too. This is something that I must cast upon the Lord. I need to find a rhematologist who will take his Medicare and Medicaid. I'm trusting God, but I'm asking you to please pray for him.
He is able to do so many things--cutting the grass, raking the leaves, driving the garden tractor to clean up the snow...and he loves his job at Bob Evans Restaurant. He is an amazing young man and I am praying that he will go ino remission soon so that he can continue to do the things he so enjoys.
When we have a child with special needs, the concerns never end. But I know we have a Heavenly Father Who cares and loves all of us. And I am sure that those with special needs are very special to Him indeed.
And so we must continue on. Praising and thanking God for His Goodness, knowing that He always knows what He is doing and that He already has the problem under His control.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Look at the Bright Side!
It seems that when we have a child with special needs, there is always one medical need after another. For the most part, Trent has been fairly healthy. He hasn't had many of the problems that others with Down Syndrome have had. But he has had his share.
Today I found out that we now have to face something medically (or should I say dentally?) new.
About 13 years ago, we switched to a new dentist. She continues to be our dentist because I like her and I trust her. She told us at that time that Trent had no permanent teeth. What did that mean? It meant that at the then age of 19, he had all baby teeth and the x rays revealed that there were no permanent teeth. His former dentists had never caught this. The solution? There was and is none. The dentist said that the best thing was to just leave them alone and when there were problems that arose, we would deal with them.
He has had NO cavities--at least not until now.
Just before we went to the dentist for his regular six-month check up, I noticed that he had a tooth that was twisted to the side and squeezing up against the other one. Sure enough, the tooth has to be pulled. Not only has it moved, but it is quite decayed.
This is the beginning of something we hoped would never happen. But it is happening. We were told that eventually it would.
It is so easy to get discouraged when things like this happen. The only thing that can be done is that he will, eventually, have to have all his teeth pulled and have his teeth replaced with dentures. My heart goes out to him. He has suffered from arthritis from the time he was eight years old, when he was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. As he grew older, he was then diagnosed with psoraric arthritis. I know this is going to be no fun. Of course, he is apprehensive about having his tooth pulled. But he is brave--surprisingly so!
As for me, I had all I could do to fight back the tears. Dentures are not going to be easy for him to adapt to. And they are going to be expensive! At least, we had the good sense to be putting away for these for when the day was to come.
But we who have been parents of a special-needs child for any length of time know this: we must look at the bright side. What is the bright side? At least he will have this done while we are still here for him. The day will come that we won't be here. Do I worry about that? What mom doesn't? But we have made proper arrangements for him and I know that we have a Heavenly Father who will take care of him until he joins us in heaven. Thank you Father God!!
Today I found out that we now have to face something medically (or should I say dentally?) new.
About 13 years ago, we switched to a new dentist. She continues to be our dentist because I like her and I trust her. She told us at that time that Trent had no permanent teeth. What did that mean? It meant that at the then age of 19, he had all baby teeth and the x rays revealed that there were no permanent teeth. His former dentists had never caught this. The solution? There was and is none. The dentist said that the best thing was to just leave them alone and when there were problems that arose, we would deal with them.
He has had NO cavities--at least not until now.
Just before we went to the dentist for his regular six-month check up, I noticed that he had a tooth that was twisted to the side and squeezing up against the other one. Sure enough, the tooth has to be pulled. Not only has it moved, but it is quite decayed.
This is the beginning of something we hoped would never happen. But it is happening. We were told that eventually it would.
It is so easy to get discouraged when things like this happen. The only thing that can be done is that he will, eventually, have to have all his teeth pulled and have his teeth replaced with dentures. My heart goes out to him. He has suffered from arthritis from the time he was eight years old, when he was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. As he grew older, he was then diagnosed with psoraric arthritis. I know this is going to be no fun. Of course, he is apprehensive about having his tooth pulled. But he is brave--surprisingly so!
As for me, I had all I could do to fight back the tears. Dentures are not going to be easy for him to adapt to. And they are going to be expensive! At least, we had the good sense to be putting away for these for when the day was to come.
But we who have been parents of a special-needs child for any length of time know this: we must look at the bright side. What is the bright side? At least he will have this done while we are still here for him. The day will come that we won't be here. Do I worry about that? What mom doesn't? But we have made proper arrangements for him and I know that we have a Heavenly Father who will take care of him until he joins us in heaven. Thank you Father God!!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Hello!
Hello to everyone who has followed my blog and has not given up on me.
Truth is, this past year has been a difficult one--a time of testings and trials that has tried my faith. I have kept myself busy by teaching a Ladies' Sunday School class, continuing to have our Wonderfully Made Moms group, singing at church, and just about anything that God lays on my heart to do. It has taken my mind off of other things, while my heart is in the process of healing. I am confident that some day God will answer my prayers.
The most exciting thing I am doing is writing a new book. It's is for Moms who have children with special needs and it probably won't be done for at least a few more months. Then comes the editing, finding a publisher, etc. Please pray for me. As I get nearer to the completion, I will let everyone know.
Nice to connect with you again!
Truth is, this past year has been a difficult one--a time of testings and trials that has tried my faith. I have kept myself busy by teaching a Ladies' Sunday School class, continuing to have our Wonderfully Made Moms group, singing at church, and just about anything that God lays on my heart to do. It has taken my mind off of other things, while my heart is in the process of healing. I am confident that some day God will answer my prayers.
The most exciting thing I am doing is writing a new book. It's is for Moms who have children with special needs and it probably won't be done for at least a few more months. Then comes the editing, finding a publisher, etc. Please pray for me. As I get nearer to the completion, I will let everyone know.
Nice to connect with you again!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Let Us Run With Patience
On Thursday night we had our Wonderfully Made Mothers meeting. For our Bible Study time, we focused on Hebrews 12: 1 and 2. What God showed me in these two verses has been very meaningful to me, so I decided to share some of those thoughts with the ladies present and also to those of you who follow my blog.
Hebrews 12: 1-2
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Look at the first word in verse one. Whenever we see the word wherefore, we should look to see what it is there for. That means we need to look in the verses just prior to this one to get our answer.
Hebrews 11, just prior to these two verses in Chapter 12, is a very familiar and popular chapter. It is called the "faith" chapter. I urge you to read this chapter. In fact, read it several times and let it sink in. It is an amazing example of people who walked by faith and how they overcame by faith. So as we look at the first part of verse one in chapter 12, it is referring back to just that. We have an example to follow.
The next part of verse one says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us..."
Now we are going to be told how we are to run this race (or the Christian walk) that is set before us.
What does a good athlete need so that he can do his best and run his race? He needs to eat healthy food, he needs to workout on a regular basis practice and he needs to get a proper amount of sleep. What would happen to an athlete who didn't get his rest, ate junk food, and didn't workout. He gets up on the morning of the race. As he begins that race, he has to pick up two large weights--one on each side. How far do you think he would get? Would he win? We can all easily answer "no." He probably wouldn't make it very far at all.
So let's compare that to a Christian running "the race that is set before us."
First of all, a Christian who is running that race needs certain things. What are they? Proper nutrition! From where does that nutrition come? It comes from the reading of God's Word. That is our spiritual nutrition. We also need physical nutrition, that comes from eating good, nutritious food and we need a proper amount of rest.
In verse one it also says that we are to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. Just as we said that an athlete who carries weights isn't going to get very far, neither are we if we carry heavy weights with us.
The sins that we carry and have not confessed can be different and they can be few or many. Sometimes we carry the weight of certain sins for years. What kind of weight are you carrying? I was saved when I was seven years old, and one thing I have noticed, even in my own life, that one sin that so many of us carry and have trouble laying aside is the sin of unforgiveness. Sometimes we are unable to forgive someone who has hurt us so deeply. But more often than not, there are two other things that come to mind. One of those is that sometimes we do not truly believe that God has forgiven us, or, we cannot forgive ourselves for something that we have done.
Okay...here we go. Let me ask you, does God forgive and forget? Now most of you would quickly answer yes. But let me tell you something that was recently explained to me.
I was raised in a Christian home and I also was taught that when we confess our sins, God forgives and forgets. But even as a child I would think to myself. "But sometimes the sin I committed comes back into my mind and God knows what I am thinking, so how can He possibly forget?" For years, I pondered that with no real answer. Recently I read a devotional that explained it well. It went like this.
"The idea that God forgets my sins isn't very reassuring to me. After all, what if He suddenly remembered? In any case, only imperfection can forget, and God is perfect. Then I read Hebrews 8:12 which says, 'For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.'" The author continues, "God doesn't say He'll forget our sins--He says He'll remember them no more! His promise not to remember them ever again is stronger than saying He'll forget them. Now that reassures me!" And this reassures me and should reassure everyone that we can lay aside every sin and weight which besets us and run the race that is set before us.
But there is still one more very important word in that first verse. Can you see it? It is something about which we have said nothing so far, and yet it is a very important word. It is the word patience. And we all know how we get patience. "...tribulation worketh patience..." Romans 5:3. None of us want the tribulation part, do we?
The word patience means to be patient. But what does the word patient mean? In the dictionary, I found the following:
Patient--Possessing or demonstrating quiet, uncomplaining endurance under distress or annoyance; tolerant, tender or forgiving, persevering, diligent
How are we to run the race that is set before us?
We are to run that race without complaining--even when we are under distress or annoyance; we are to run that race with tolerance; we are to run that race being tender and forgiving, we are to run that race with perseverance, and with being diligent! Wow! I don't know about you, but I surely have not been running my race with PATIENCE!
In verse two, I am sweetly reminded of our precious Lord Jesus.
How do we run that race? By looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. The next part of that verse brings tears to my eyes. It says, "...who for the JOY that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus died on the cross for you and for me. There was no complaining. He did it with JOY because He loves us so much. When we are running our race, the Bible tells us that we are to be looking at Jesus. Remembering that He went to the cross for you and for me with JOY will help us to run our race with patience.
What is the end result of running with patience the race that is set before us? It will result in others seeing Jesus in us and winning them to Him. How wonderful it would be to receive many rewards when we get to heaven because we ran with patience--rewards that we can lay at Jesus' feet.
I pray that these verses have touched someones heart. May we all RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US!!!
Hebrews 12: 1-2
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Look at the first word in verse one. Whenever we see the word wherefore, we should look to see what it is there for. That means we need to look in the verses just prior to this one to get our answer.
Hebrews 11, just prior to these two verses in Chapter 12, is a very familiar and popular chapter. It is called the "faith" chapter. I urge you to read this chapter. In fact, read it several times and let it sink in. It is an amazing example of people who walked by faith and how they overcame by faith. So as we look at the first part of verse one in chapter 12, it is referring back to just that. We have an example to follow.
The next part of verse one says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us..."
Now we are going to be told how we are to run this race (or the Christian walk) that is set before us.
What does a good athlete need so that he can do his best and run his race? He needs to eat healthy food, he needs to workout on a regular basis practice and he needs to get a proper amount of sleep. What would happen to an athlete who didn't get his rest, ate junk food, and didn't workout. He gets up on the morning of the race. As he begins that race, he has to pick up two large weights--one on each side. How far do you think he would get? Would he win? We can all easily answer "no." He probably wouldn't make it very far at all.
So let's compare that to a Christian running "the race that is set before us."
First of all, a Christian who is running that race needs certain things. What are they? Proper nutrition! From where does that nutrition come? It comes from the reading of God's Word. That is our spiritual nutrition. We also need physical nutrition, that comes from eating good, nutritious food and we need a proper amount of rest.
In verse one it also says that we are to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. Just as we said that an athlete who carries weights isn't going to get very far, neither are we if we carry heavy weights with us.
The sins that we carry and have not confessed can be different and they can be few or many. Sometimes we carry the weight of certain sins for years. What kind of weight are you carrying? I was saved when I was seven years old, and one thing I have noticed, even in my own life, that one sin that so many of us carry and have trouble laying aside is the sin of unforgiveness. Sometimes we are unable to forgive someone who has hurt us so deeply. But more often than not, there are two other things that come to mind. One of those is that sometimes we do not truly believe that God has forgiven us, or, we cannot forgive ourselves for something that we have done.
Okay...here we go. Let me ask you, does God forgive and forget? Now most of you would quickly answer yes. But let me tell you something that was recently explained to me.
I was raised in a Christian home and I also was taught that when we confess our sins, God forgives and forgets. But even as a child I would think to myself. "But sometimes the sin I committed comes back into my mind and God knows what I am thinking, so how can He possibly forget?" For years, I pondered that with no real answer. Recently I read a devotional that explained it well. It went like this.
"The idea that God forgets my sins isn't very reassuring to me. After all, what if He suddenly remembered? In any case, only imperfection can forget, and God is perfect. Then I read Hebrews 8:12 which says, 'For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.'" The author continues, "God doesn't say He'll forget our sins--He says He'll remember them no more! His promise not to remember them ever again is stronger than saying He'll forget them. Now that reassures me!" And this reassures me and should reassure everyone that we can lay aside every sin and weight which besets us and run the race that is set before us.
But there is still one more very important word in that first verse. Can you see it? It is something about which we have said nothing so far, and yet it is a very important word. It is the word patience. And we all know how we get patience. "...tribulation worketh patience..." Romans 5:3. None of us want the tribulation part, do we?
The word patience means to be patient. But what does the word patient mean? In the dictionary, I found the following:
Patient--Possessing or demonstrating quiet, uncomplaining endurance under distress or annoyance; tolerant, tender or forgiving, persevering, diligent
How are we to run the race that is set before us?
We are to run that race without complaining--even when we are under distress or annoyance; we are to run that race with tolerance; we are to run that race being tender and forgiving, we are to run that race with perseverance, and with being diligent! Wow! I don't know about you, but I surely have not been running my race with PATIENCE!
In verse two, I am sweetly reminded of our precious Lord Jesus.
How do we run that race? By looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. The next part of that verse brings tears to my eyes. It says, "...who for the JOY that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus died on the cross for you and for me. There was no complaining. He did it with JOY because He loves us so much. When we are running our race, the Bible tells us that we are to be looking at Jesus. Remembering that He went to the cross for you and for me with JOY will help us to run our race with patience.
What is the end result of running with patience the race that is set before us? It will result in others seeing Jesus in us and winning them to Him. How wonderful it would be to receive many rewards when we get to heaven because we ran with patience--rewards that we can lay at Jesus' feet.
I pray that these verses have touched someones heart. May we all RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US!!!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding
For some time now I have been tired--bone tired--the kind of tired that zaps every bit of energy, leaving one exhausted. I had not been sleeping well. I slurred my words. At times my mind would seem completely blank.
I was terrified! My husband quietly worried about me. The unspoken fear lingered deep inside both of us. Could I possibly be in the early stage of Alzheimers?
I well remember that my own mother began to show early symptoms of Alzheimers when she was only about six years older than I am now.
But last week I found out what the problem was when my doctor's office called me with the results of my yearly lab tests. Hypothyroid! What a relief!
I googled the word hypothyroid and guess what I found out? Most of the symptoms were ones that I have had. What a relief!
I now take a little white pill and hopefully, soon I will be feeling better.
Well, after all, how was I to know?
Proverbs 3:5 comes to mind here:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Amen!
I was terrified! My husband quietly worried about me. The unspoken fear lingered deep inside both of us. Could I possibly be in the early stage of Alzheimers?
I well remember that my own mother began to show early symptoms of Alzheimers when she was only about six years older than I am now.
But last week I found out what the problem was when my doctor's office called me with the results of my yearly lab tests. Hypothyroid! What a relief!
I googled the word hypothyroid and guess what I found out? Most of the symptoms were ones that I have had. What a relief!
I now take a little white pill and hopefully, soon I will be feeling better.
Well, after all, how was I to know?
Proverbs 3:5 comes to mind here:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Amen!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Ramblings in the Night
I lie in bed trying to fall asleep. The sounds of the night are keeping me awake. It's going on midnight and the fireworks are still strong! Boom! Boom! The loudness echoes the feelings of my soul. I am overwhelmed! Please! Please! Let the sleep come!
The darkness, the tugging is deep within me--it's trying to pull me apart. I don't understand. Everyone demanding so much..I feel as if I am spinning...I want to stop...I want to get off of this roller coaster. Please God! Show me what to do. What am I doing wrong? I go and go and go and can't get done what I need to do. And then there is the hurt. I can't give all of my family what they seem to need. Where have I gone wrong? Why can't I get the peace which I so desperately need? Why can't I please those around me so that I can have the peace I so desire? Please God! Help me! I am at my wits end!
Finally, finally, after struggling for so long, the answer comes in a still small voice. "When a man's way please the Lord, He maketh even His enemies to be at peace with him" Proverbs 16:7.
"That's it, isn't it Lord? I only need to try to please you and leave the rest in your hands."
The strong beating I felt in my chest is now quieted, my breathing is calm. "Help me to please you Lord, and to leave the rest to you."
At last I can go to sleep.
The darkness, the tugging is deep within me--it's trying to pull me apart. I don't understand. Everyone demanding so much..I feel as if I am spinning...I want to stop...I want to get off of this roller coaster. Please God! Show me what to do. What am I doing wrong? I go and go and go and can't get done what I need to do. And then there is the hurt. I can't give all of my family what they seem to need. Where have I gone wrong? Why can't I get the peace which I so desperately need? Why can't I please those around me so that I can have the peace I so desire? Please God! Help me! I am at my wits end!
Finally, finally, after struggling for so long, the answer comes in a still small voice. "When a man's way please the Lord, He maketh even His enemies to be at peace with him" Proverbs 16:7.
"That's it, isn't it Lord? I only need to try to please you and leave the rest in your hands."
The strong beating I felt in my chest is now quieted, my breathing is calm. "Help me to please you Lord, and to leave the rest to you."
At last I can go to sleep.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Siblings of a Special-Needs Child
The last time I blogged, I promised that I would give what I thought was, at least, part of the reason for my son having difficulties and poor grades in the sixth grade.
When there is a child with special needs in a family, sometimes the other children have a difficult time. Then we as parents take the blame upon ourselves--or we begin to feel sorry for our "normal" child or children because we can't spend the time with them that we like to spend. As I think back about the year that Brett was in sixth grade, a few things come to mind.
That same year, two of Brett's older brothers were in Christian high school and Trent was also in Christian school that year. I dropped the boys off at school every morning and then went to work a temporary job from 9:00 till 1:00. When I arrived home at about 1:15, I took enough time to change my clothes, relax just a little bit, eat some lunch, and then walk my daily paper route. By the time I got home, the kids were due home from school and I was exhausted. Then there was supper to cook, the kitchen to clean, then perhaps a basketball game, AWANA, or prayer meeting to attend. The temporary job and the paper route helped to pay the tuition for our sons, and the extra time and attention that was required for Trent completely wore me out. Most times, I was completely drained. I felt "sorry" for Brett and allowed him to become sloppy in his school work.
What we needed was better "balance" in our lives. Brett did need extra time and attention because he was the closest in age to Trent. When they were young, we did give him extra "alone" time. The problem was that I over indulged him. How did that happen?
Being busy. Feeling guilty. You name it!
The solution??? It's always easier as we look back. All of our children need accountability. They need to do their chores around the house and they need to do their school work. And when they don't live up to their potential, there should be consequences. As they reach the teen years, special attention should be given to the friends they have, their attitudes, and anything else that might give us clues as to where they are headed and what they are doing. As we sometimes get bogged down with the needs of our special needs child, we must not forget that the needs of our other children are just as important.
Parenting is difficult enough, but when there is a child with special needs in the family, sometimes it can seem like it is an impossible task. The days can be hard and long. But God gives grace one step at a time!!!
When there is a child with special needs in a family, sometimes the other children have a difficult time. Then we as parents take the blame upon ourselves--or we begin to feel sorry for our "normal" child or children because we can't spend the time with them that we like to spend. As I think back about the year that Brett was in sixth grade, a few things come to mind.
That same year, two of Brett's older brothers were in Christian high school and Trent was also in Christian school that year. I dropped the boys off at school every morning and then went to work a temporary job from 9:00 till 1:00. When I arrived home at about 1:15, I took enough time to change my clothes, relax just a little bit, eat some lunch, and then walk my daily paper route. By the time I got home, the kids were due home from school and I was exhausted. Then there was supper to cook, the kitchen to clean, then perhaps a basketball game, AWANA, or prayer meeting to attend. The temporary job and the paper route helped to pay the tuition for our sons, and the extra time and attention that was required for Trent completely wore me out. Most times, I was completely drained. I felt "sorry" for Brett and allowed him to become sloppy in his school work.
What we needed was better "balance" in our lives. Brett did need extra time and attention because he was the closest in age to Trent. When they were young, we did give him extra "alone" time. The problem was that I over indulged him. How did that happen?
Being busy. Feeling guilty. You name it!
The solution??? It's always easier as we look back. All of our children need accountability. They need to do their chores around the house and they need to do their school work. And when they don't live up to their potential, there should be consequences. As they reach the teen years, special attention should be given to the friends they have, their attitudes, and anything else that might give us clues as to where they are headed and what they are doing. As we sometimes get bogged down with the needs of our special needs child, we must not forget that the needs of our other children are just as important.
Parenting is difficult enough, but when there is a child with special needs in the family, sometimes it can seem like it is an impossible task. The days can be hard and long. But God gives grace one step at a time!!!
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