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RenB Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 15 2007 Location: Canada
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:22pm | IP Logged
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I shared a little of our overwhelming and emotional situation within our home on another thread on these boards, and it was suggested to me to come visit here and post this to you all. It is something so difficult to speak or write about; I get knots in my stomach with the thought of even posting it here and hope you will understand my emotion at this time waiting for the right time to do this.
I believe in the power of prayer and the ability to literally “carry” someone through their trials and sufferings. Won’t you please join us in praying for my husband who has been a real trooper over the years, never complaining (ever) from the struggle he’s had enduring a very rare lung disease. A workaholic by nature, he’s given his all to his career for many years, immersing himself into it, likely too, not to have to “think” about the decline of his health. I feel the job saved his life in many ways. Very recently though, he had to take a permanent leave from work as the time has now come to rest up a while until such time as the inevitable double lung transplant looms ever nearer. Of course, my husband was a rare catch (wink), but to also suffer the effects of a rare lung disease too with many other sordid complications now affecting his heart and kidneys, sleep apnea and other things arising, we ponder and believe there is a purpose to all of this. Jesus himself being the Alpha and Omega certainly knows the beginning and the end of this story yet to fully unfold for us all, so of course - Jesus, we trust in Thee!
Aside from severe and intense moments of literally gasping for a breath of air catching my husband by surprise, and freaking us all out, my husband’s lungs have plummeted down to 38% lung capacity and subsequently his energy levels are flattened and sleep comes easy all day long from lowered oxygen levels. The incredible chest pains from something progressing to his heart at times has me feeling panic stricken at times, while attempting to remain strong and unrattled for my husband and children’s sakes, living in a new area without family, friends or anyone to call on in the event of an emergency. For now, I continue to keep our days as normal as possible, homeschooling and running the children to activities and the like. I try to remain strong and on my knees, though there are moments I melt and have to have a “time out” in the bathroom ever so quietly by myself. Those times are tough!
Interestingly our whole family in the west gathered for a novena, meeting nine evenings in church to say it, plus the rosary and the way of the cross before my husband’s first appointment in the New Year to his specialist. The day after the novena, the doctor ordered him home to rest up. Since then, there have been oodles of instances where I can only imagine how they came about. Prayer! We wondered at first, why were we sent here, all the way from half our family, grandchildren, and parents? Amazingly, he has been blessed with a semi-retired respiralogist who has overseen three other cases of this rare lung disease when no one else in Canada has even heard of it, a doctor with immense pulling power we’ve seen already with swift referral appointments and the like. This isn’t a coincidence I assure you with the impact so recently to the current care he has been given. We spent almost a year searching for a family doctor from the drastic shortage available in our local area, wondering what would happen to our health care and flew to the west coast just to keep my husband’s appointments with his other specialists, at our own expense, to ensure his care, and then suddenly all the incredible specialists we’ve been blessed with over here just clicked. The events of the last week have left our heads literally spinning!
As if a general crisis of this nature isn’t enough, also in the back of our minds, there is one daughter getting married in August, so obviously he’d like to able to walk her down the aisle. She lives on the west coast, we live over in the east, and we can’t help but wonder if at that time, it will even be possible for us to attend.
So many appointments to attend, so many thoughts swirling round in my head, so many fears to squelch in the children (older kids freaking out daily!) and parents (not handling it well, but who is?)….all prayer most welcomed. Thanks so much in advance, sorry to ramble.
__________________ Blessings;
Renee
Mommy to eight, cherished treasures sent to us 22 years apart. Nana to seven lovelies...so far.
"Go East," they said
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kingvozzo Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2005 Location: Maine
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
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Renee, what a cross for you and your family to bear. I will certainly do my small bit to carry you all in prayer!
__________________ Noreen
Wife to Ed
Mom to 4 great kids and 10 sweet ones in Our Lady's arms
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amyable Forum All-Star
Joined: March 07 2005
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
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Renee, lifting you up in prayer this very minute!
__________________ Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Bridget Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:38pm | IP Logged
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The sorrows and the joys always seem to be mixed with each other. I'll be praying for your family.
__________________ God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
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Ruth Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 04 2006 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:45pm | IP Logged
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I will be offering up our Rosaries and Masses for your intentions. God bless you.
__________________ Ruth
mom to 7 miracles
My family blog
Loreto Rosaries
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Carole N. Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 28 2006 Location: Wales
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:54pm | IP Logged
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Praying for you and your husband, Renee.
__________________ Carole ... in Wales
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chicken lady Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:56pm | IP Logged
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I will pray for you and your dh! Your cross is immense let Our LAdy help you carry it.
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Diane Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 01 2006 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 12:56pm | IP Logged
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Oh, Renee, what sorrow you are suffering! Please do come to these forums and allow us to carry you however we can. I will be praying for you and your husband and all of your dear family.
__________________ Peace,
Diane
Mom to five fair lasses and one bonny prince
The Journey of a Mother's Heart
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St. Ann Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 20 2006 Location: Germany
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 1:07pm | IP Logged
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I will be praying for your family, especially your dh and his doctors.
__________________ Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
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lilac hill Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 1:19pm | IP Logged
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Renee,
You willbe in my daily prayers.
V
__________________ Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
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jackiemomof7 Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 28 2005 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 1:27pm | IP Logged
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The everlasting God has, in his wisdom,
foreseen from eternity the cross
that He now presents to you
as a gift from His inmost heart.
* * *
I love this quote from St. Francis de Sales (one of his meditations this is just a partial quote). It is so hard to see that our crosses our gifts. I will pray for you and your dear husband.
God bless,
__________________ Jackie wife to Jim for 27!! years, proud army mom of Chris(25),Chef Matthew(24) and Sister Grace of Benedectines (21),Joshua(19),Nicholas(17),Jaymee(15), Elizabeth(13) and 2 in Heaven.Grandma to 3!
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Cay Gibson Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005 Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline Posts: 5193
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 1:42pm | IP Logged
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Renee,
My ds and I had a conversation this morning about suffering. I am so honored you have asked us to help you carry this cross in prayer. We are blessed to do so.
__________________ Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Jane Ramsey Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 05 2007 Location: Florida
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 1:57pm | IP Logged
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We will be praying for you and your family, Renee!
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mathmama Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 07 2006 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 2:06pm | IP Logged
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Renee,
You will be in our daily prayers.
Beth
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guitarnan Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 2:09pm | IP Logged
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You're in my prayers, Renee.
You are so brave. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
__________________ Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Taffy Forum All-Star
Joined: April 05 2005 Location: Canada
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 3:05pm | IP Logged
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My dad suffered emphysema - I do understand how hard it is to see someone you love seem so weak and out of breath. I will pray for you and your family.
__________________ Susan
Mom to 5 on earth and 1 in heaven
Susan's Soliloquy
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ALmom Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2005
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 3:06pm | IP Logged
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Prayers for you, your husband and your whole family as you travel this unknown path. I cannot even begin to understand the difficulties that you carry in the silence of your heart - but Our Lord and Our Lady do and I will be turning to them for you. We pray a special prayer to St. Joseph each night and you will be our special intention in this.
Janet
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hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 3:11pm | IP Logged
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How brave you are under such a heavy burden. I will be praying for you -- for your strength, peace of mind, healing, patience, and trust through all.
Peace,
Nancy
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Erin Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005 Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline Posts: 5814
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 3:21pm | IP Logged
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Renee
Praying hard for you, what a path you are on
None of it is easy, and I keep imagining those older children worrying, often it is harder for the children away as they aren't there to 'know all'.
I'll be praying for strength for you and your dh.
__________________ Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Feb 02 2007 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
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Renee, holding you in prayer. We'll add you to our novena intentions.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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