Thursday, February 26, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease
Another Beautiful Day!
We are enjoying the warm weather in Arizona...highs have been in the 70's and 80's...
Back home, it's only been in the single didgets...way to cold...
I've been out in the sun/uv a lot within the last few weeks. I continue to wear my hat, uv make up and long clothing but I still feel sick when I'm out...
I've been swelling and hurting a lot...
My hand, ankle and jaw is cracking all the time... :-(
Even though I haven't been feeling well I am making the most of it...
I am trying to get out as much as I can. My eyes are blurry due to the swelling...
My teeth are also changing...I'm wondering if the combination of the medicine causes it...they are turning dark... :-( I use to have nice teeth but now they are turning really ugly...
I'm not smiling as much because I don't like to show them...
I use whitening paste or other products to whiten them. I haven't found the right one yet.
Still so very thankful for all I can do. I am looking forward to another great day tomorrow...
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Panic Attacks - Linda Canup
by Linda Canup
Going out to lunch after church is a tradition for our family. So it was no surprise when we found ourselves at a restaurant with a few church visitors we hadn’t seen in a while one particular Sunday. And as is often the case with large parties, it took a while for our food to arrive. When it did, it felt as if I couldn’t eat fast enough. Even after having consumed half my entrée, I looked down at my hands to discover they were shaking.
Maybe I didn’t eat enough for breakfast, I thought. I had eaten a couple granola bars over the course of the morning. Surely, that was enough, right? And I’m eating now. That kind of thing usually corrects itself quickly, doesn’t it?
Then an irrational thought occurred to me: Maybe I was having an allergic reaction to the turkey bacon I had yesterday. I have several food allergies, but turkey’s not one of them. And unlike most allergic reactions, mine usually occur about six to eight hours after consumption. Perhaps there was some unknown cross contamination, and I’m just now feeling the effects?
It’s been over 12 hours, my logical brain countered. That can’t be it.
But by that point, it was too late. My nerves had shot a full dose of adrenaline into my body and my heart began beating so hard and fast, it threatened to explode right out of my chest.
“Whew! I feel faint,” I told my husband. With a gasp, I said, “My heart is just racing.”
Then it clicked. I was having a panic attack.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to panic attacks, including low blood sugar, genetics, and environmental triggers, among others. I’ve had a few attacks before, but under more claustrophobic circumstances, making it obvious what it was, and never just sitting at the lunch table.
Take a deep breath and slowly let it out, I told myself.
“Are you okay?” my husband asked, concerned.
“Yeah, I am. Just give me a minute.”
I focused on breathing calmly and reminding myself nothing was wrong; I was safe. My racing heart slowed and the world came back into focus. I settled down and managed to finish my lunch without the rest of our party being any wiser.
But physically, I felt like I had run a marathon. It took about another 24 hours before I felt the adrenaline work its way out of my system and I was normal again. And spiritually, I felt like a failure. Didn’t Paul write, “God has not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Tim. 1:7 NLT)? I prayed, asking God the question we so often ask, “Why?”
He answered me over time in a way I can only try to paraphrase for you now:
Panic attacks are about feeling out of control. And yes, you are not in control. But you know that I am. And how you respond is much more important than the attack itself, because it’s an opportunity to apply your faith. It’s a chance to call out fear and face it with the truth of Scripture. Like Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7), this is a way for Me to be glorified, and a way for you to better empathize with others—that you may “comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which [you are] comforted” (2 Cor. 1:4).
While we may not be able to control anxiety-inspiring events, as Christians, we can respond in ways that express our trust in the sovereign One who is always with us and who lovingly cares for us.
May you always experience His peace and comfort in your time of need.
Dr. Stanley teaches us how to handle stress and fear in his message “When Anxiety Strikes” airing today on radio.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease
It was another beautiful day...
We've been in Arizona for a few day, enjoying the warm weather. Today's high broke the record...it hit 83 degrees.
Paul and I have been going to the Tucson Gem and Mineral show...Paul found some different rocks to add to his collection and I found some new scarfs, earrings and a few things for our grandkids.
:-)
I get really wore out and sore after a few hours but I enjoy the time I can spend with Paul.
I've been swelling and when I swell I hurt and sometimes it's really painful...hard to move around. Even when I take a shower or anything touching me causes me to jump. I keep reminding myself that things could be worse and they could be...I am so thankful for all I can do.
I have several Dr appointment when we return from Arizona....I have an eye doctor appointment, rheumatology appointment, internal medicine appointment and women's health appointment...
The Drs are still trying to figure out why I am bleeding and working on medication changes...
I am so thankful for family and friends and I'm looking forward to another great day, tomorrow...:-)
I have been blessed!
The Real Thing - Joyce Meyer
I'm reading Joyce Meyer's free devotional on my mobile device - check it out...
The Real ThingYou are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltiness be rest...
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