Wellness Wednesday- Doctor Day

September 1, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 16 Comments

Today is my follow up appointment with the Rheumatologist at the University Medical Center Nebraska. In June he diagnosed me having Psoriatic Arthritis and prescribed a medication. I have made a pros and cons list of the medication with the pros far outweighing the cons. Progress has been made. I am thankful for the progress and for Jesus getting me through the first months of treatment.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

So off we go into the wild blue yonder to see a doctor who actually doesn’t stress me out. When I saw him in June, after spending an hour with him, my blood pressure came down- A LOT. lol

A friend is taking me there. It will be a good time of fellowship before the appointment. I never know what will be done at the appointments, so an ounce of prevention kind of thing. Also I don’t need the stress of freeway and interstate driving right before the appointment.

Also Hello September my favorite month. I love September because my morning class starts and autumn begins. I would say college football but my once great favorite college team has been terrible in recent years.

So Happy Wednesday-Hump Day.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- What I Won’t Miss

August 25, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 15 Comments

Yesterday I shared Jesus Will Come Back For Us. As someone who lives with chronic illness it caused me to think about what I won’t miss after Jesus comes back for those who believe in him.

I won’t miss morning stiffness.

I won’t miss chronic pain.

I won’t miss constant fatigue.

I won’t miss doctors.

I won’t miss flare ups.

The list could go on of things that I won’t miss. But I also realize what keeps me going through it all is something that I will miss. It is what gets me up and keeps me going. It is what keeps my attitude from going down. It is my motivation for my life.

What will I miss?

I will miss sharing the love of Jesus with people who do not know him. In heaven everyone knows Jesus. Everyone has experienced and continues to experience the love of Jesus in heaven.

There is one more thing I would miss. I would miss teaching English Second Language. I don’t think there will be a need for that in heaven.

What I won’t miss causes me to wish for the return of Jesus today. What I will miss causes me to hope for more years in this life.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- If I Stay

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 39 Comments

Yesterday after a day of teaching online 12 to 2, having meetings at the school 2:15 to 4, running a few errands and teaching online 6:30 to 9:30, I decided to unwind with a movie. I watched If I Stay. It is a poignant movie about a girl in high school who is in an accident with her family. The scenes go back and forth from important moments in her life and in the hospital after the accident going back and forth between staying or dying.

Memories of when I went through my health crisis in the 1990s came back. I will never forget that night when I was home alone and thought I was going to die. The pain was that bad. I was experiencing severe muscle spasms. It seemed the end was near for me after a two year ordeal. But then I prayed.

I prayed along the lines of, “if you want to take me to heaven, that’s okay but there are more people who need to hear about you and who need help.” When I finished praying, I felt the presence of Jesus come into my small apartment and a hand on my shoulder. The pain stopped. The next day I was at the doctor and finally got a diagnosis.

That experience gave me a whole new appreciation for what Paul wrote in Philippians 1.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

If I had died that night, it would have been great for me. I would have been in heaven. But in the 26 years since that time, Jesus has blessed me with touching the lives of many. I can see it was more necessary for others that I stayed.

Even now as I live with chronic illnesses, I can see it is necessary for others that I stay. It is in the Lord’s hands for my time of departure. Until then, there are souls that need to hear, fellow believers who need strengthening. and people to help.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesdays- Identity and Self Talk

August 4, 2021August 4, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 14 Comments

A few days ago on Made of Still, my little sister shared a post about Affirmations. It was a good post to read and it caused me to think about Identity and Self Talk.

Currently I have various IDs. I have an ID badge for the public schools I teach in. I have an ID badge to the community college I have taught for. I have my driver’s license.

For any follower of Jesus, it begins with our identity in Jesus. We are not out struggles. We are not our temptations We are what Jesus says we are. Our identity begins with Child of God. John wrote about it in John 1:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

So first and foremost my identity is Child of God. All other aspects about me flow from that.

It helps me to also remember what I am called to do in life. Paul understood this and shared it in the opening of his letters such as Romans.

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God

Paul knew what his calling was and strived to live accordingly. That is something I try to be mindful of as I interact with people. God has called me to first be his child. Based on that, he has also called me to represent him on earth through my callings in life, home missionary, teacher, blogger, writer, friend etc.

On days that chronic illness could impede me, I try to remind myself that God has plans for me that day. I realize that is not possible for everyone with chronic illness. If at home, I can still have a purpose. There are people to pray for, blog posts I can write and bloggers to interact with, worship videos I can watch etc.

Whether at home or out and about in a coffee shop, at school. at church, visiting refugees and immigrants, I try to remember aspects that flow from being a Child of God.

Ambassador- We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God 2 Corinthians 5.

Royal Priest- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light 1 Peter 2.

Instead of self talk that brings me down, I try to remind myself that I am a Child of God, I am called to represent Jesus, I am an Ambassador for Jesus, I am a Royal Priest. All of these are true because of Jesus.

How we talk to ourselves makes a difference on how we feel, think. and act. That is why I remind myself I am a Child of God. That is much better than telling myself I am a child of an alcoholic parent.

The basis for reminding myself of my identity and my self talk is not just an attempt to pump myself up based on myself. It is remembering whose I am- Jesus’s, and what he has called me to be and do.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- Jesus Understands Scars

July 14, 2021July 14, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 26 Comments

When we think of scars. we tend to think of physical scars. I have many of those. But there are also psychological and emotional scars. Jesus understands scars. He suffered for us and still has those scars. He also faced rejection and betrayal. I would like to share the following from an old post of mine from three years ago when I first got going with blogging.

12 scars on my body tell stories of my life. Some are from surgeries like the scar from an appendectomy when I was 21. Some are small like the small scar next to my left eye from a freak accident while setting up an outdoor activity for kids at church. The tiny scars from arthroscopic surgery on my right shoulder in 1990. The scar on my stomach when I was attacked by a dog when I was 12 is symbolic of the upheaval in my youth. The two inch scar on my left hand from a surgery to repair damage when I had a hand injury in 1996 represents my health struggles of the 1990s.

Scars represent our wounds that have healed. Some heal over correctly but some wounds that ‘heal’ over leave places that will never be the same and sometimes not work well.

But what of the scars from wounds no one can see? The scars from being abused. Scars left from struggling with addiction. Scars left from being victimized. Scars from broken relationships. Some wounds go so deep into our souls that we wonder if they will ever scar over the way physical wounds do when they heal.

One day Jesus told Thomas to reach out and touch His scars from the nails that pierced his wrists and the scar from the soldiers spear that pierced his side. His scars are still there to show us His love. Having all power, he could have stopped his crucifixion, but His love for us made Him lay down His life for us.

He says to all of us, “Look at the scars on my wrists and feet. Look at the scar in my side. My scars are for your scars.”

His scars are there because he wants to bring healing to our souls and spirits. His scarred wrists reach out to us saying, “Come to me all who are weary and find rest for your souls”

One day I reached back to his hands extended. I reached back to find rest and healing from my past as the son of an alcoholic father and mother with mental illness. Rest, oh yes rest, from the anger, confusion, doubt caused by my own sinful reactions to life.

The hands on his scarred wrists long to hold our hand and walk in this life with us. Jesus is reaching out to you. Will we take the hand offered in love and friendship offering healing for our souls?

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- Peace of Mind

July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 19 Comments

At the risk of making people I think I am older than I look, 🙂 , I was thinking about the different crises I may have lived through in the USA. My earliest memories as far as being aware of life around me were the Watergate Scandal and the Vietnam War. Then came gas lines and a terrible economy. That was all in the 1970s. Each decade of my life there has been some form of turmoil.

Since 1993, I have lived with chronic illness and have experienced what it is like to go through the maze of trying to get a diagnosis only to end up with being diagnosed with five issues, asthma, hypothyroid, Celiacs, Fibromyalgia and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Since I rededicated my life to Jesus in July 1989, there have been many valleys, struggles, hardships, while not only trying to live for Jesus but also seeking what he was calling me to in life.

Considering the constant pressure of life whether what is happening in society, happening with my health, and happening with struggles in my own life, one might conclude I do not have peace of mind or if I say I do, some might think I am in denial.

It all comes down to not what I am looking to for help but who. The who is Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The peace the world looks at is temporary, external, and focused on circumstances, The peace Jesus gives is internal, eternal, and based on knowing him.

I love the way Psalm 121 says it:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Through everything I have been through, Jesus has brought me through. He has given me peace in my spirit and has helped me step by step.

I love this song by Alisa Turner- I Will Lift My Eyes.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- The Unknowns of Chronic Illness

June 30, 2021June 30, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 34 Comments

An experience I will never forget is being in Rio do Sul Brazil, visiting a friend’s acreage that had fruit trees, and picking an orange off the tree and eating it. It was so sweet and delicious. Nothing like fresh fruit as in freshly off the tree. 🙂

The one thing I like about summer where I live is the plethora of fresh fruit. I love fruit and actually can’t choose a favorite. I also love fresh veggies. Needing to eat gluten free doesn’t bother me so much because I can still eat fruit and veggies and of course meat. Sadly in the winter and spring we don’t have much variety, so I enjoy as much as I can while we have it. But I know they will be back the following summer.

It is the unknowns of chronic illness that are not so easy to handle. What will the lab results be? What will the doctor say this time? Will I have a flare up? Will I need to let go of things I love to do?

Part of living with chronic illness is wondering if things we enjoy will still be doable. One thing I love is international travel. COVID shutdowns took away plans for summer 2020. Spending money on doctors prevented travel plans for this summer.

I also wonder about 2022. If the treatment I am on works well, I hope to travel internationally. If the treatment does not work well enough, will it mean letting go of one of my favorite things to do. I love experiencing other cultures, drinking coffee in another country, eating the foods of the culture, and best of all interacting with and getting to know the people.

So I will be praying that traveling to other countries and sharing the love of Jesus is not one of the things I will have to let go of because of living with chronic illness.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- Keeping A Sense of Humor

June 23, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 14 Comments

This morning I will go to the Orthopedic Surgeon for an injection in my knee. The injections help delay having knee replacement surgery. He injects hyaluronic acid but I like to tell people it is hydraulic fluid because it gives me a lift.

Keeping a sense of humor while living with chronic illness helps me to not get too down about it. Laughter is good for the soul.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of^[ Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.

I love Psalm 126 because it doesn’t just speak about laughter and joy It talks about having been through an ordeal and experiencing the joy of the Lord. Psalm 126 does not deny life’s difficulties. It focuses on the Lord not the difficulties.

Spending time with Jesus gives me the strength to keep going. It keeps me going spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- Treatment Starts This Week

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 22 Comments

Buyer’s remorse is when a person regrets a purchase for various reasons. I observed that a few times when I sold office furniture in the 1980s. I am experiencing buyers remorse but not about anything I bought.

After several years of advocating for myself, being gaslighted at times medically, being told I did not have what it ended up that I actually do have, seeing various specialists, I got the official diagnosis last Friday. It felt anti-climatic at the time.

This week the reality of the treatment regiment is on my mind. I must confess I am one of those people who reads about meds and potential side effects. After reading about potential side effects, I almost wish I had not been diagnosed. Thankfully I can dialogue with others. One young woman who has what I have and is also a Christian shared this with me in a Facebook message.

“God will meet you where you are, but treatment is the start of a necessary journey that will help you, but know that it will take time.”

Such wisdom at a young age. No wonder I have always been impressed with her.

I will take my first dose Thursday evening. From what I understand, the next day can be a downtime day. So Friday I am planning to be a day to relax, listen to worship music, and binge watch some shows.

I would like to share one of my young friend’s YouTube videos about living with chronic illness.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Wellness Wednesday- Waiting

June 9, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 14 Comments

Waiting is something that could be a bit frustrating at times. I am not talking about waiting in line at a check out at a supermarket or waiting for someone to get ready. The waiting I am talking about is waiting to go over test results with a specialist.

Anyone who has seen a doctor specializing in any area of medicine knows what I am talking about. It can be stressful to wait.

I saw a specialist last Wednesday. He left me a voice message saying he wanted to discuss next steps with me. I had been waiting for a week to do so but wouldn’t you know it, I was teaching when he called. Hopefully we can connect today so I can get the next steps. I would much rather wait to get thorough results that have a quick answer.

Waiting on God is not the same. In Isaiah 40:31 says

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

The phrase ‘who hope’ is sometimes translated’ who wait’. Waiting on the Lord does not mean we nervously wait wondering what the answer or results will be. Waiting on the Lord in Isaiah means spending time in the Lord’s presence hoping in the Lord. If we do that, we will be refreshed and renewed.

So this afternoon I am enjoying time with Jesus while I wait for the doctor to contact me.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.