Monday, September 22, 2008

Cheap therapy

Good morning!

Well, my friend Joanna said this is cheap therapy, so here goes. I have no idea who will find this blog or how, but for now, it's my vent. I have myasthenia gravis, a neuro-muscular disease. It's pretty crappy. I've been diagnosed for 8 years now, almost 9. But I've had this disease for about 13 years. I was hospitalized in 2000, and almost died. I have a trach. I also have a fantastic husband and a precious little boy. He (Jacob, my son) is truly a miracle. I didn't think I could get pregnant, but we did, right away, and he is the light of my life. My husband (Doug) is a cross between Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, and McGuyver. He can do almost anything. I love him with all of my heart. I went into the hospital SIX WEEKS after we got married, and he was there..for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Amazing in today's self-first, me-me-me society.

I think one of the things I hate the most about this God-awful disease is that is can be so "invisible" to others. I'm SOOOO sick of hearing, "But you look so good!" Except for my trach, I look pretty normal. However, any moment I would have muscle weakness, start slurring my speech, have trouble breathing or swallowing...start choking on my own spit. Lovely, I know. I park in handicapped, especially at the superstores, because by the time I've walked through, I may be so exhausted I can barely make it to the car.

It's so hard taking care of a 2 year old with this disease. He wears me out by noon. It will be a little easier when he gets a little older...but right now it's GO GO GO! My parents are awesome, and come out all the time to help us. They live about 40 miles away, so it's not like it's around the corner either.

So I guess I would encourage you, if you are able, to see if there is someone YOU can help, and dive in.

5 comments:

Joanna said...

Very well said, Kerri!

lori said...

I agree!! Frustrating, isn't it? Fibro, on a lesser scale, is the same way, invisible, therefore, I have to pretend it doesn't exists because my husband won't acknowledge it. Nice, huh?
I hope some busy "churchy" folks read your blog. My philosophy is: You can take 50 steps to get across the room or 10, don't complain to me if you take an extra 40! It seems to me, that, sadly, people just don't care. If they did, they'd find a way...I've been blown off by pastors time and time again. Apparently you have to be a big giver( financially ) in order to get attention or have your phone calls returned.

Wild Ride With The Hankins said...

WOW!! I don't know what to say. That is everything that I feel. I have MS since 2000. Very aggresive and I in the beging I felt like my life has been taken away be the MS. It was not until this past couple of years til I realized the true reasone or i should say one of them why I had it. It is one of my witnessing tools for God.

I have not been blogging long I am still tring to get it all together, but it is good therapy to be able to get stuff out and it is easier to type than write these days for me. your blog was very encouraging for me thank you. I cant wait to come back and read somemore.

Kelly said...

I hope blogging has been good therapy for you.
Stopping by through "first post" linky. Have a great day, Kelly.

~ Mona said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and linking your 1st blog post.
I suffer from migraines so I know how it feels not to be the woman you want to be. Your husband sounds like mine... the supportive part anyway. {smiles}
~Mona

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