Once I started writing this, I realized that this is probably going to be waaaay more than anyone wants to read at one sitting, so I am going to tell this story in 2 parts. Today is the background information. Then tomorrow comes the newest chapter.

As most of you know, my middle son, Alex, suffers from a degenerative disease called cerebellar atrophy. For some unknown reason, the cerebellum has begun to die, causing holes to develop , which prevents nerve impulses from travelling as they should. This causes him to have severe balance problems. You would think he was very drunk if you saw him walking. His disease also has an element of extreme head and neck pain…this is excruciating and never goes away. He has double vision, nystagmus, which is a constant jumping of the eye, and vision measured at 20/5000. To see anything, such as TV or computer, or a book, it must only be a few inches away from his eyes. His double vision can only be corrected for a few feet, anything of any distance is always doubled. This makes it nearly impossible to watch a movie in a theater, or see the pastor at church, of even to drive a car. We have been to doctors around the US to find some help for his vision. Because all of all the myriad of problems, help has been very hard to find.

Once, about 10 years ago, we went to Boston in search of help for the extreme pain he lives with constantly. We spent several days at Children’s Hospital in Boston, undergoing numerous tests, only to be told they had nothing new to offer us. We were sitting in the doctor’s office and he was telling us this news, and then he asked Alex if there was anything else he could help him with. Alex told him, “I guess not…unless you can help me with my vision problems.” The doctor asked him a few questions about it, and then said, “Alex, I can’t do anything, but I know someone who can, if anyone can. My best friend is the Chief of Staff at the New England Eye Institute. I don’t know if he can see you or not, but I’ll check. You will probably have to come back, because most people have to wait several months to see him.” He made the call as we were sitting there in the office. He explained the situation, and talked a minute, then hung up. Looking at Alex, he said,” Be there at 10:00 in the morning.” We changed our flight plan back to Dothan, and went to the office the next morning. He was the nicest man, and was immediately fascinated by the problems with Alex’s eyes. We saw 3 or 4 different doctors that day. Then, the medical students started coming in, the residents and the interns. The doctor explained to us just how rare it was to see eyes with the varied problems that Alex had. His nystagmus is very, very rare. He explained to us that he had only seen 2 or 3 cases in his whole career. So, he was thrilled to be able to show the students and others, because it was possible they may never see it again. And of course, we didn’t mind at all. We figure that the more doctors that see the problems, the more, HOPEFULLY, that will want to find a solution.

He was able to fix some glasses for Alex that helped him somewhat. He made one pair of glasses for him to see close up, and another pair for him to see far away. He was able to help a little more with the double vision, too. And, we worked with them over the next few years. We came to love visiting Boston, and looked forward to our visits every 2 years.

So…even though we got no help at all for the pain that Alex was experiencing…we did find some help with his vision. We thought this was the perfect example of this verse from Romans 8…Verse 28: “And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him.” See, we were very disappointed and dejected when we realized that the pain specialist couldn’t help us…but God had another plan all along. We had never even heard of the New England Eye Institute…but God had. And His plan all along was to get us to Boston, He just had a different doctor in mind to help us. Isn’t that just like Him? He took what we thought was a wasted trip, and turned it into a wonderfully helpful visit.

Just a quick note to let you sweet friends know that all is well. The surgery went fine, and the Dr. was able to remove the ‘area of concern’. Don should recover well, and be back to his normal routine in a day or four…well, you know how men are! 🙂

I am so proud of my boys for looking after their Dad so well. They took care of everything and made this Mom even prouder of them. Don and I are so blessed to have these wonderful sons. God is good!

The news from the surgery is great…BUT, I have some more news to share with you. AND, it is even better! But, it will have to wait till tomorrow. Scooter is getting sicker and sicker. I have been having to take him out every hour or so…day and night. I haven’t really slept in 3 nights! So, if you’ll just kindly wait till tomorrow to hear my other good news…I just think I’ll try to sneak in a few more hours of sleep!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words, your sweet concern, and your prayers to our Father. You bless me, and fill my heart with gratitude for your friendship. God bless you!

Seems as if I am always coming to you, my friends, for prayer, doesn’t it? I am so blessed to have the kind of friends who are always at the ready!

My DH is in Birmingham. He went to see a new Dr. on the advice of his Dr.here. This came immediately after a routine colonoscopy last week. He and Alex went up on Sunday because Alex had an appt. with a new eye Dr. on Mon afternoon. Anyway…I stayed here with Scooter, and to be at work, due to upcoming programs.

This morning at 10:00, Don will be having surgery in Birmingham. He and Alex are in a motel attached to the hospital. Ian starts his new job in Birmingham today, so he is not available till this evening. That leaves Alex to see about Don before and after surgery. He is very happy to do this, but whether he is able is another thing. I should be there, but I am not. I am here. Not that I couldn’t go. My boss, B, would send me off without a question. But, Alex has begged me not to board Scooter. He is very near leaving us and needs to be with one of us.

So, now you understand about the ice cream. 🙂

And, such, is the life I have lived since marriage 34 years ago. Always torn, needing to be in 2 or 3 places at once. What to do? Where to go?

This I know. Whether I am there or not, my sweet Lord is. He will stand next to the Dr. while he operates. He will whisper in his ear as he looks after Don. He will guide the hands of the nurses as they minister to him. He will be there in my stead. He will be with Alex while he is in a strange place, and be his eyes to guide him as he tries to navigate in a hospital he is not familiar with. He will soothe Scooter as I am at work today. And, He will give me peace as I go about the things I must do. How do I know all this? All I had to do was ask!

I believe in being prepared. Especially for emergencies. Like melt downs or extreme agitation and intense aggravation…caused by other people…affecting me.

And, so, I always keep a carton of ice cream for just such emergencies. Because there are times when nothing else will do. And if you find yourself in the midst of such extreme agitation and intense aggravation…it is just not safe for you to be driving in this state of mind. Nor should you be around other people to whom you may show an unkind attitude. This, then, is my current ‘medication’ of choice.
Just the one on the right…not the others. This fine, icy delight is just available certain times of the year…during Girl Scout Cookie Sales. I eagerly anticipate this event (along with the cookies)…and was excited when I was able to purchase a carton and hide it away. Just knowing it was there when I needed it was enough to calm most of my minor annoyances…I was saving it for a BIG TIME, UNCONTROLLABLE URGE TO PUT SOMEONE OUT OF MY MISERY!

I am just not able to go into details at this time…it would be dangerous to my blood pressure. But, I was in desperate need for this calming goodness today. Going to the freezer…the one in the laundry room…the one no one uses…the one that has nothing in the freezer side…the one no one has any need to be looking in, I opened the door, knowing relief was a spoonful away.

IT WAS GONE! IT WAS NOT THERE! IT WAS MISSING! VANISHED! DISAPPEARED!

Thinking I may have been out of my mind and inadvertently put it in a conspicuous place, I checked the freezer in the pantry. No, not there. Then, I checked in Alex’s freezer. The boy does love a good bowl of ice cream. Not there! Then I checked the kitchen garbage cans…Alex’s and the one in the kitchen. No empty cartons. Who ever STOLE my ice cream took care to eat the whole carton and destroy the evidence.

I am not a happy girl. Things have happened that have left me in a position I do not like to be in. And, let it be known…if the ones that put me in this position had just listened to me and followed my instructions…NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. But, they didn’t listen…and now someone is going to have to suffer consequences…AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE ME!

Yes, this was at least a 2 bowl kind of day…who am I kidding? It was a get a big spoon and eat it right out of the carton kind of day. But, I didn’t…cause some one who cares not a whit about my feelings has stolen it right out from under my mouth! I had to make do with 2 mini drumsticks…it didn’t work. You need to slowly draw the ice cream off the spoon…into your mouth…roll it around in there…chew the large cookie pieces…and then let it slide down your throat…feeling all that coldness melting away your grief.

Well…it didn’t happen. Someone has some big ‘splaining to do.

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know who holds the future,
Life is worth the living ,just because He lives.”

from the song, “Because He Lives”