Share this:

Doctor Visit (Photo credit: Forty Two.)

This letter has been on my mind and my heart for over ten years now. It is not an easy letter to write, and it may not be an easy letter for doctors to read, but I hope it’s an encouragement for all who do read it.

I’m grateful for the men and women who have chosen the grueling and difficult path of medical school, followed by several years of residency and internship to become physicians. The many doctors who have spent years researching diseases and chronic illnesses, and who have developed successful treatments have my admiration and thanks for their passion and their determination. I’m certainly indebted to the many doctors who rise early to do hospital rounds, who see patients and/or perform surgery during the day, who return phone calls or review patient records at night, and who often sacrifice time with their families to bring health to our lives.

Our family has four people who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses and over a 25-year period, we have seen hundreds of doctors in several states for diagnoses, second opinions, treatments, procedures and tests. We have seen the “good, the bad, and the ugly.”

This article contains no statistics, no results from double-blind studies, no comparison of the effectiveness of medical treatments, and no information from clinical trials. It does contain the observations of a patient, wife, and mother and her experiences with and perspective on our family’s encounters with the medical community. If you looked at our calendar the last few years, you’d see our family has had an average of 60 visits to doctors each year, not including visits for laboratory tests or procedures.

When our children lived under our roof full-time, I was the family manager of four people’s doctor’s appointments, medications, and treatment regimens. In 1982, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis; I also was diagnosed with endometriosis several years later, which required several laparoscopies and medication for treatment, and most recently, a robotic-assisted hysterectomy. Approximately four years ago, I was diagnosed with Late Stage Lyme Disease, which is very controversial. I have had several procedures to remove kidney stones and to open more fully my urinary tract, and I have hypothyroidism.

My husband of 32 years was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), officially in 1990, and we had to travel to the Cleveland Clinic to get that diagnosis and a treatment plan. Our 22-year old son was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 1996 at the young age of seven at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Our 25-year old daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2006 in her sophomore year of college. There are very few lab tests,  procedures, diets, food regimens, and alternative therapies that our family has not tried.

We are a family who have always been active physically and have maintained relatively healthy diets and lifestyles. When I met my husband, he was an avid racquetball player; he then became an avid runner and now does cardio workouts and strength training at a local fitness center at least five times per week. I have been a group fitness instructor for over 25 years and am certified as a personal trainer. We are not a family that is careless about our eating habits, and many of our doctors have attributed our ability to stay active in our work and other activities to our healthy lifestyle.

Treating a patient with a chronic illness that has no cure can be a frustrating experience for doctors, and is often the most difficult patient to care for. Most doctors only see the patient 10-15 minutes every four to six months. Unless there’s a new medication or treatment that has been developed or the patient has had some change in symptoms, doctors often feel they have little to offer, and the patient lives in the status quo. There can be a feeling of frustration, defeat, and helplessness on both sides.

There are several who have treated us who have been able to compassionately overcome this dilemma, providing encouragement and understanding in the midst of chaos.

There’s the obstetrician/gynecologist who delivered both of our children (and continues to treat me today) who always considers not just my health status, but the health status of our whole family before prescribing any treatments or going forward with any procedures. He treats the whole person, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

There’s the infectious disease doctor we found after we returned from the Cleveland Clinic who willingly and passionately treated patients with HIV, CFIDS, SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder) and other chronic and sometimes fatal diseases, who was ALWAYS on time with his appointments, and who did not “write off” new symptoms of the disease he was currently treating. He was willing to turn over every stone to find a way to bring more health and wholeness to his patients. When this doctor retired from his practice, he referred my husband to a young doctor, who, although he didn’t know as much about CFIDS or infectious disease, was teachable, humble, and willing to learn through resources my husband offered him. He also cared as much about being a good husband, father, and man of character as he did about being a good doctor.

There’s the very knowledgeable, kind, and caring pediatric gastroenterologist who diagnosed our son’s Crohn’s Disease (at age 7) with much anguish, and explained his treatment thoughts and plans in detail, not only to us as the parents, but also to our son. As our son moved into adolescence, this doctor was also able to provide a safe and comfortable environment for a teenage boy to talk about his symptoms, for a disease that is often very embarrassing to talk about.

There’s the very impassioned family doctor who we found about seven years ago who treated and walked alongside me eight years ago, when I was diagnosed with clinical depression, and whose knowledge, treatment, and compassion proved to be a much greater blessing than more specialized approaches. She listens to her patients and trusts that they know their bodies better than she does, and then she responds with appropriate action and concern. She’s not afraid to try other approaches when recommended treatments are not effective. For example, she was very supportive of the controversial treatment I received for my Late Stage Lyme Disease (from an infectious disease specialist), primarily because my health improved as a result of the treatments.

These are a few of the “gems” we have uncovered in our medical journey and our lives are better in many ways, even if not physically, for our interaction with them. I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what makes these “gems” shine.

First, they not only have a passion for medicine and their specific discipline, but they also have a passion for learning about and knowing their patients. They listen, I mean they really listen, when a patient describes symptoms, reactions to medications, or how they are feeling overall. And when they listen, they also discern or search out the fears, concerns, anxieties, and worries that lie behind what their patients have verbally and visually conveyed. And then they go one step further and take this information into consideration before considering or discussing any treatment regimens.

Second, these “gems” talk to patients at the patients’ intellectual level. They don’t talk in medical language that is too difficult to understand, or in a tone that is condescending. Nor do they make their explanations too simple or condensed that they gloss over important information that patients need to know. If they have to explain a complicated medical situation or procedure, they do so with aids that help visualize what is happening/will happen and with words that explain how the procedure will be beneficial or how the situation is affecting the body. These doctors allow time for questions and concerns.

Third, all of these doctors had or wanted strong family relationships, and talked about their families or asked about my family at most visits. Because the treatment of a medical condition can change the dynamics in a family, these physicians take into consideration how a medical diagnosis and its short and long-term treatment may affect each family member. Before prescribing treatment, my gynecologist will always check to see how our other family members are doing, what other medical issues I may be dealing with, and how much time I will have to be absent from work and other activities. By inquiring of these other aspects of a patient’s life, a physician can gain insight into the level of treatment a patient can tolerate, and can allow the patient to actively participate in that treatment plan.

Fourth, when a patient calls into these physicians’ offices with a question or a concern, someone in the physician’s office returns the call within a reasonable amount of time, usually the same day. When necessary, the physician will speak to the patient personally to explain in greater detail, allay any concerns or fears, or encourage the patient. In addition to the initial response, these physicians also have consistent follow up, either personally or through their staff, when necessary.

Finally, my husband’s and my faith in God is of primary importance in our lives, and we believe that faith has given us the strength, courage, patience, and endurance needed to survive and even to be strengthened during the last 25+ years with our chronic health issues. These “gems” have either shared and expressed that faith or acknowledged and admired its significance in our lives. To one of these doctors who walked alongside us through a difficult and uncertain time, I gave a framed certificate that said, “Find a doctor who believes that God is greater than the medical profession and you have found a rare gem.”

All of these doctors indicated that they learn much more about life, what’s important in life, and how to handle adversity and chronic pain and illness from their patients who have endured…who have “fought the good fight”……who have “kept their eyes on the prize”…..and their lives are richer for the lessons they have learned.

 So the next time you have an appointment with a “gem” of a doctor, don’t forget to tell him or her how special they are to you, not just for their medical treatment, but for looking at you as a “whole person,” not just as a disease or illness. And that “gem” of a doctor might just “shine” for other patients, too!

Share this:

Here is a conclusing post about God rebuilding walls from a blog called “Psalmslife” by Pastor Bryan Lowe. Enjoy….

The Walls: Psalm 51:17-19, Conclusion.

Share this:

Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is a devotion that was published at http://christiandevotions.us on November 12, 2012:

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven…” Nehemiah 1:4

 One by one they tumbled out. I wanted to weep. Anxiety, sleeplessness, exhaustion, financial worries, and a serious accident due to being over-medicated. These were the prayer requests of the “good kids.” What about those who don’t know Christ?

 At the university where I work, there is a club where Christian students fellowship. My husband and I have come alongside the pastor to support him and his ministry to students there.

 One night toward the end of the semester, the students shared the prayer requests above. Then the female student next to me handed me a note asking me to pray for and help her with a serious personal issue that she was too ashamed to share. Her walls were crumbling. My heart was heavy for these students, and, on the way home, I wept. I fasted and prayed and several days later, God gave me a plan to help this student strengthen her walls.

 When Nehemiah’s brothers came to see him, Nehemiah cut the small talk and asked about the wall of Jerusalem. Sadly the brothers reported it had large holes, was in rubble, and the gates were burned down. Nehemiah’s first reaction? He sat down and wept. Then he fasted and prayed, asking for God’s favor and wisdom, which was granted.

 Jerusalem’s wall was rebuilt in an astounding 52 days. This filled Jerusalem’s enemies with fear and awe because they realized this could only be accomplished with the help of God.

 My tears for these students emanated from their current pain and the perseverance that would be needed to rebuild the holes in their walls. Rebuilding and restoration can be long and difficult, but drawing on God’s strength can favorably change that process.

 When your wall is crumbling, it’s okay to weep. Then fast and pray for God’s wisdom and forgiveness. Wait for Him to give you your first brick to rebuild your wall. As you obey Him, you will amaze others with your transformation, and you will draw others to Christ, as they will want to know the architect who remodeled and rebuilt your life.

Share this:

The Lion Shrine at Penn State. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Grand jury investigation. Sandusky. Indictments for Curley and Schultz. Spanier resigns. JoePa has lung cancer. Says he should have done more. JoePa dies in January. Sandusky trial. Guilty on 45 of 48 counts and imprisoned without bail. The Freeh Report implicates JoePa as preventing administrators from going to authorities. No care for victims. JoePa’s statue comes down. Severe NCAA sanctions for Penn State football team.

I work at a branch, or Commonwealth, campus of Penn State. With each sentence I typed above, I felt the weight of these incidents grow heavier in my mind and my heart. All of that occurred within the last 8 months….it’s a lot to take in, regardless of your association with Penn State. But for those of us who work here, it’s difficult because we are living with the far-reaching consequences of a few men’s actions….or inactions.

I’ve worked at Penn State since 2007 and I really enjoy my work and usually look forward to going to work. I work at a campus that is considered one of the most beautiful campuses in Penn State. We have a well-stocked greenhouse on our campus and plenty of open fields that are constantly used for developing and testing by horticulture faculty and majors. I work in a restored farmhouse that belonged to the family who donated much of the property on which we are situated. Each morning I enter the farmhouse down a stone walkway that is lined with a colorful display of annual and perennial flowers. Often butterflies float back and forth across the walkway. It’s really quite an oasis on the campus.

The men and women who maintain our property are knowledgeable about landscaping, property maintenance, and equipment use and repair. They work hard to make our campus a place you want to enjoy as much outside as inside. I’m thankful for those who do this work.

Speaking of inside, we have a superb group of administrators and staff that keep all aspects of our campus running smoothly and faculty from around the world who give individual attention to our students and create many opportunities for learning, research, and internships. Many students who initially plan to come here for two years and then finish their education at the main campus of PSU end up staying at our campus all four years if they can complete their major here.

Our campus is large enough to offer far-reaching and stretching opportunities for students, but small enough that most of the faculty and staff know each other well, and really care about one another’s’ lives. We offer that same care and concern for the students who come here, too. It’s similar to a very large extended family, warts and all. We just say goodbye to each other at the end of each work day.

With each news report or press conference that gives breaking news about “the next shoe to drop” at Penn State, we all hold our breath, wondering how this will affect our daily work. What new policy may come out next as a result, resulting in additional security or procedures that must be put into place? In the last 6 weeks or so, about a half-dozen new Penn State policies have gone into effect. One of the most notable are a new background check policy that includes student employees for the first time, drastically increasing the workload of many HR personnel. Another notable policy severely limits access to athletic facilities.

So, it’s a new “ballgame” at PSU (no pun intended). More thought and time is required before certain plans can be put into place. More employees are concerned about how they are documenting or handling various transactions or procedures, as none of us want to violate any of the policies or have our names in a Freeh report. Last week, I had nausea for about 4-5 days. I thought it was some Mexican food I ate, but I finally realized it was the internal stress I was subconsciously feeling about all these changes. After the NCAA sanctions last Monday, I had to do a news blackout for self-preservation. If friends tried to talk about Penn State, I firmly but politely asked them if we could discuss something else. It may be interesting for you to talk with someone who works at Penn State to get our viewpoint, or to even vent with us, but, frankly, this employee is sick of talking about it.

Well, you are probably feeling quite glum by now reading this, but the real point of this post is to let you now that I, for one, still enjoy working at Penn State. I am proud to say that I work at Penn State and I’m grateful to God for the work He has given me to do there. I believe the majority of the faculty and staff feel the same  and are looking forward to beginning the fall semester. So, to the students, we say, “Bring it on!”

Overall, I hope we don’t overlook one of the main lessons we can learn from this difficult trial that Penn State is moving through. ALL actions have consequences. We don’t live and act in a vacuum. The sins of one man–Sandusky–affected and destroyed quite a few young men’s lives But his actions affected many others, too. The alleged actions/inactions of several other men resulted in a huge fall from grace, prestige, and security, and severely changed lives for their families. But their actions affected many others, too. The NCAA sanctions present significant challenges to Bill O’Brien and the football program and changed their lives. But this action also affects many others, too.

So the next time you are at a crossroads, and have a choice to make between right or wrong actions, good or evil, words that build up or tear down, selfishness or service, ask God to give you the strength to choose  the former…right actions, good, words that build up, service. These are the choices that most of us who work, teach, or learn at Penn State make every day.

WE STILL ARE…PENN STATE!

Share this:

Hi all,

I haven’t written in my blog in months due to being offered a new position on our campus last fall which has had a high learning curve and some ongoing health issues, which limited me in where I could invest my time and talents. As a ‘wannabe’ writer, it has been discouraging not to be able to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and share more of what God is revealing to me and doing in my life that might be an encouragement to you. However, God provided encouragement just wnen I needed it.

I attended and served at an event called Super Saturday 2012 yesterday (3/24/12), sponsored by the Lancaster (PA) Christian Writers Group (LCW), and it was encouraging to be around other writers who also struggle with ideas, time, rejections, and rewrites. I absorbed great information in workshops, had a piece of writing critiqued, and had great conversations with presenters and other writers.

Jeanette Windle, a missionary, founder of LCW, and award winning novelist, coordinated the event and was both funny and gracious in her opening remarks. She shared ideas from a great philosopher, Charlie Brown’s Snoopy, which brought laughs. She shared a quote from Michael Kanin, which we all related to, “I don’t like to write, but I love to have written.”

She encouraged us to believe in the ‘But God’ factor, a factor that will put us in a place in our writing that may seem unreachable or impossible, ‘but God’ will and can turn all of our efforts and plans on end. So we need to write, need to learn our craft of writing, but we need to leave the results up to God. It has been a privilege to get to know Jeanette by being involved in LCW and reading her political suspense novels.

Marlene Bagnull, founder of the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, told us to consider submitting letters to the editor of our local newspaper because it’s the section most people read in their daily newspaper, and especially those who might have the power to make the changes. You don’t have to be a ‘writer’ to do that; just share your heart and concern for a hurting world from a heart that knows Christ, and God will show up.

I find God surprises me in the most unexpected places with His presence. Like last week when my husband and I were teaching the young adult Sunday School class that we’ve been teaching for almost a year now, and we were discussing a topic which was somehwhat uncomfortable for those in the class–sexual immorality. It ‘just so happens’ that a young woman who attended our church previously who is now married ‘just happened’ to be in our class. She was so open and vulnerable about what God had shown her and her fiance about sexual purity and the struggle they both had with that. She talked about the blessings God has reaped on her as a result of her faithfulness to being sexually pure till her marriage, and her much greater understanding of Lordship and God’s amazing love as a result of her obedience. My husband and I could never have spoken to the young adults like she did, and God surprised us all!

Today we talked in our class about joy and being joyful always and what that looks like in our lives. It was another great discussion and God birthed a devotional idea in my mind, which I hope to get from my mind to my fingers to my keyboard this week.

As you read this, I hope you think about the people you come in contact with everyday and how they can see you being joyful always by living above your circumstances, by caring for others when you are hurting yourself, by doing excellent work without complaining, by edifying your spouse rather than complaining about him/her, by spending time with Christ in prayer or in His Word so yu can do all of that and much more!

Have a joyful day!

Share this:

Hi everyone,

It’s been a few weeks since I posted here and apologize for my absence. I started a new position on the college campus I work at, and it’s kept me very busy with limited time for my writing. However, I am blessed that God would allow me to learn so many new things at my age and, through His grace, would support me in the many challenges I’ve encountered there. Below is a short devotional I wrote as I thought about how God comforts us in so many ways so that we can comfort others. I hope it’s an encouragement, challenge, and joy for you.

The God of All Comfort 

“the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” 2 Corinthians 1:3b-4

They are all around us, yet they’re invisible. They can have minimal effects or they can be life-altering. Your neighbor, co-worker, or friend may have one or more, and you may not know it.

I am referring to chronic or “invisible” illness. In 2005, 133 million Americans had at least one chronic illness. All four members of our family live with chronic, sometimes debilitating, disease. We can look healthy on the outside, but be struggling on the inside. The chronic nature of a disease can also be “wearing” over time and can cause people suffering with the diseases to become self-centered, as they must put their energy into maintaining their physical stamina.

 Our family found that the best way to avoid wallowing in our chronic illness was to reach out to someone who needs encouragement, practical medical advice, or prayer. This occurred within our immediate family, as I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 27, and subsequently, our son was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at age seven, and our daughter at age 20. Although devastated that our children had this disease, I was grateful to God that I was able to comfort and educate my children. God does not waste anything.

 In the passage above, the apostle Paul gives thanks to God who had comforted the apostles in all their tribulations. They met with many trials, but they found consolation in Christ and gave him the glory for that solace. Paul added that the apostles should comfort others in their suffering by sharing their experiences of God’s compassion in the face of these trials, including how God taught them to endure with faith and patience.

 It’s tempting to dwell on what has been lost as a result of having a chronic illness, but Christ calls us to first receive His comfort, and then to extend that comfort to others who are struggling, using the gifts He has given us. Whether you have a chronic illness or not, when you encounter someone who does, surprise them by being God’s hand of comfort. It just might be what they need to get through another day.

Share this:

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22)

I love to go on vacation, but I hate the packing that precedes it. It was the Thursday prior to our annual beach vacation. Scurrying from room to room, I realized so many items were only partially packed and there were so many items not packed at all! My son was arriving that night from graduate school in Tennessee (we live in Pennsylvania), my daughter and son-in-love were coming the next night from Virginia, and we were all attending our neighbor’s son’s wedding on Saturday, with plans to leave for the beach on Sunday morning.

I had also shopped to have food and snacks in our house, got clean towels out for everyone, made sure bedrooms were ready, and shopped for and wrapped two wedding gifts! Phew! I felt like I was running a bed and breakfast as well as preparing to go away to one! I began to lose track of what was packed and what was not and began to feel a little out of control.

My knight in shining armor (MKISA), my husband, came to the rescue with the official Vacation Packing List (VPL), a Word document with all the essentials we need to think about when we’re packing, divided into three categories: Home (turn back A/C, turn off dehumidifier, put out garbage, etc.), Car (check oil/tires/gas, get spare keys), General (cash/credit cards, cell phones/chargers, medications, reading materials, pillows). We just check them off as we have them packed.

MKISA also asked me what I needed to pack that could not be purchased or rented while on vacation. If we had those, we’d be golden! I told him that was my glasses, my contact lenses, and my medications. I felt so much better after packing these items and going down the VPL.

My husband tends to be very focused and he has a list for almost everything. Sometimes it drives me crazy! God has shown my husband, through 25 years of chronic illness, that being disciplined and writing things down was a key to the “abundant life” God has promised. God provided the wisdom of my husband to bring order and peace to our packing process. Without his counsel, I would not have succeeded.

So take a few minutes and type up a general packing list that can be used for almost anytime you have an opportunity to travel-your VPL. Then the next time you want to take your SWEET<3 (sweetheart) or BFF (best friend forever) away with you, think about my MKISA who supplied our VPL, MIH (make it happen), and HAGT (have a good time)!

IOH (I’m outta here)!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us the time and the provisions for rest and relaxation. Give us each the focus and concentration we need when preparing for a vacation and help us to relax and be at peace once there. Amen.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

What plans can you put in place to prevent feeling overwhelmed or anxious the next time you pack for                        vacation or travel?

Share this:

 “Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land”            (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Oh, the lazy days of summer and the childhood memories that each one of us has! Drive-in movies, catching fireflies, picking berries, sleepovers with best friends, riding bikes all around town, going to the beach, fishing, camping, marveling at fireworks, eating popsicles and ice cream, and spending time at our grandparents’ house doing lots of different activities.

Many adults often long for “those good ole days” when life seemed so much simpler. Days when there was no school, no work, no schedule, less pressure and lots more fun! For those with chronic illness, we also think of days when we could enjoy an early morning run, swim until we turned into a prune, rode bikes or played ball until we dropped, or camped out in a our backyard without regard for bug bites, backaches, or lack of sleep.

In reading the favorite summer memories of those participating in the Rest Ministries’ Summer Bible Study (www.restministries.com),  the one memory that was repeated over and over again was spending time with grandparents at their home doing such things as milking cows, picking vegetables from their garden, picking berries from a bush or vine, sitting on the front porch, listening to their stories, and sharing a popsicle or ice cream with them.

Are you a grandparent? Ever think that inviting your grandchildren to visit and asking them to do everyday tasks with you could be a vacation for both you and your grandchildren? They get a different routine, and you get grandchildren full of energy willing to run errands, to help with your tasks, to listen to your memories of your childhood summers, and to have adventures with you! It’s a win-win vacation opportunity that will make memories for you and your grandchildren. If you’re a parent, visiting your parents for a few days this summer could create memories for three generations of those you love.

The Song of Solomon passage above is a description of the returning of the church to Christ, after a winter of suffering and restraint. Christ also calls our bodies and souls that have been cold, frozen, and hibernating, like the earth in winter, to come forth and bloom as the sun brings spring and, by degrees, summer. It’s a time of beauty and glory and singing that furnishes occasions for joy!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, only You know what makes my soul bloom and my heart sing. As I pray about a time of relaxation and vacation, please give me some practical ideas that will bring both joy and rest within my physical and mental limitations. Amen.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

If you are a grandparent, have you considered inviting your grandchild(ren) and/or children for a few days for vacation? If you are an older grandchild, have you considered spending a few precious days with your grandparents to make lifetime memories? If you’re not either, what activity or vacation would make you flourish and bring you joy?

Share this:

“They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble” (Jeremiah 31:9).

The fatigue and squeezing feeling around my heart had now been there for two weeks. So the questions began. Should I call my doctor? If so, do I call my family doctor or one of my specialists? Is this a new symptom of one of my current chronic illnesses or is this a new symptom that needs to be evaluated separately? Is this a side effect of one of the medications? How long do I wait till I call a doctor? And on and on . . .

Those of us who grapple with one or more chronic illnesses ask these questions on a regular basis. As a result, confusion can reign and we end up shifting our focus entirely to our new symptoms or to our illness, sapping our joy, peace, and much needed energy.

What we often forget is our answers are only a prayer or a Bible verse away. We need to pray specifically for answers to the questions we have, and we need to keep reading our Bible daily as God often answers us there, with a Scripture we may have read many times, but suddenly, one that has new meaning to us.

If you are married, your spouse also can be a treasure chest of wisdom because he/she lives with you and your illness daily.

In the verse from Jeremiah above, God was reaching toward His people, encouraging them that He would restore them, and they would not stumble. But He instructed them to pray as He brought them back.

We also need to pray as we ask for restoration of our bodies, minds, and spirits. Although God may not tell us specifically whether to call the doctor if a new symptom appears, He promises to walk with us through the process and to lead us beside streams of water on a level path where we will not stumble.

Prayer: God, help us to trust that You will guide us through the many tears and the confusion that comes with chronic illness. When we have questions, remind us to stop and pray, knowing You will bring us on a path where we will not stumble. Amen.

About the Author:
Jackie Confalone lives in Pennsylvania with her “groom” of 30 years, Gary. They have 2 grown children. She “lives” with three invisible illnesses, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis, and late stage lyme disease, and each of her family members has at least one chronic illness. She feels blessed that God has used her experiences to help others with chronic illnesses.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

Where do you find answers when you are confused about a new symptom that appears in your life of chronic illness?

Share this:

I’m on vacation at the beach this week with immediate and extended family, and I am loving every minute of it! Hence, the picture I use for my blog. I always feel better physically and emotionally when I’m at the beach, and I can sit for hours on the beach with the warmth of the sun on my body, the breeze from the ocean, and hearing the sounds of the waves hiting the shore.

But did you know that there’s some scientific evidence why many people feel better at the beach? It’s negative ions. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Like ocean and beaches and mountains. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.

In an article published on webMD and a few other internet sites, they state that these are a few of the reasons we see negative-ion generators being sold in stores and all over the Internet, but do they really work as well as antidepressants? Can they also relieve allergies byfiltering out dust mites and dander? It’s too early to tell for sure, but that’s not to say there is not some sound science behind the concept.

Ions are molecules that have gained or lost an electrical charge.  They are created in nature as air molecules break apart due to sunlight, radiation, and moving air and water. You may have experienced the power of negative ions when you last set foot on the beach or walked beneath a waterfall. While part of the euphoria is simply being around these wondrous settings and away from the normal pressures of home and work, the air circulating in the mountains and the beach
is said to contain tens of thousands of negative ions–much more than the average home or office building, which contain dozens or hundreds, and many register a flat zero. “The action of the pounding surf creates negative air ions and we also see it immediately after spring thunderstorms when people report lightened moods,” says ion researcher Michael Terman, PhD, of Columbia University in New York.
 
In fact, Columbia University studies of people with winter and chronic depression show that negative ion generators relieve depression as much as antidepressants. “The best part is that there are relatively no side effects, but we still need to figure out appropriate doses and which people it works best on,” he says.

Generally speaking, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy,” says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C. “They also may protect against germs in the air, resulting in decreased irritation due to inhaling various particles that make you sneeze, cough, or have a throat irritation.”
 
And for a whopping one in three of us who are sensitive to their effects, negative ions can make us feel like we are walking on air. You are one of them if you feel instantly refreshed the moment you open a window and breathe in fresh, humid air.”You may be one of them if you feel sleepy when you are around an air-conditioner, but feel immediately refreshed and invigorated when you step outside or roll down the car window,” Howard tells WebMD. “Air conditioning depletes the atmosphere of negative ions, but an ion generator re-releases the ions that air conditioners remove.”

So next time you go to the beach or mountains and you instantly feel better just being there, know that there are positive things happening to your body because of negative ions! Cool, huh?