~ * "THE real deal" !! * ~

IF God sends you on stony paths, He will provide you with strong shoes.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)."

"LIKE Paul's example, in the confidence of God's care we can say to the next challenge: Bring it on!" D. Branon.

"Live Well, Be Happy."kim.

~ * 'In The Night' ? ! ! ~

"Thank God for You, good friend of mine,
Seldom is friendship such as thine;
How very much I hope to be
As helpful as you've been to me" - C.

* Read: 1 Samuel 20: 30 - 42.

~ A Tribute ~

"The captive Hebrew singers sat beside the rivers of Babylon and wept as they remembered how life had been in their homeland. Their enemies tormented them, demanding that they sing happy songs of Zion. But the Hebrews were so discouraged that they ceased singing and hung their harps on a willow tree.

I awakened on a Sunday morning eagerly looking forward to being in the house of the Lord. Instead I was taken to the local hospital. My good health was shattered overnight. A CAT scan had revealed a brain tumor, and I became a captive in a strange land. I ceased singing my songs of praise and "hung up my harp."

Early the next morning, a young couple visited me. Joseph prayed. Janet read a letter of praise and encouragement that I had written to her six years earlier when she faced the decision of whether or not to have an abortion to save her life. (She chose to trust God and delivered a perfect baby boy!)

I was sent home for 30 days and then went back for more tests to determine the prognosis. The CAT scan indicated that the tumor was half the original size and was no longer a problem. The new diagnosis was multiple sclerosis.

Once again I was tempted to stifle my song, that is, until I discovered El Shaddai, the All-sufficient One (Jesus), who is always with us.

You will not find my harp on any willow tree. It is accompanying my songs of praise - I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; . . . When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted (Psalm 138: 1, 3)." R. LUCAS

* See associated post dated 27/11/2010 - Eternity!

** Free DVD ! **

The latest resource for people recently diagnosed with MS is a free DVD titled Understanding MS. *For a copy of this free DVD, please contact MS Connect on 1800 042 138 (toll free).

"The DVD seeks to remind people newly diagnosed with MS that they are not alone," adds Sandra Helou (Project Manager, Education Resources, who was responsible for the development of the DVD).

"This DVD will be a wonderful tool," reports one of the interviewees, Rob de Ridder. "I remember that when I was first diagnosed, I felt so alone. To be able to pop in a DVD and hear professionals and other people with MS talk about MS in terms of reality and facts will help people to reallise that they can still live a fruitful life and contribute to family, friends and the community. The DVD is inspiring and is something that would have helped me immensely in those first few months. I am proud to contribute to this resource from MS Australia - ACT/NSW/VIC." ('Intouch'.)

* "Hi, dear Diary .. " (this MAY well be my final posting on this blog) !

Hi, dear Diary,

Haven't been particularly well over the past fortnight. * Have been challenged and am being challenged as to how I handle my health problems. Not much fun I must confess, but believe, as it's said, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"!

SERIOUSLY trying to engage if it's worth pursuing a/this blog in the near future - or in any of my current future. IS it valuable to continue? I certainly need to put specially efficacious guidelines in place if I want to redeem any personal stamina. Multiple Sclerosis is insidious. Have been very lethargic - more than normal for Multiple Sclerosis (been so "up and down") and have had the appropriate blood-tests that there are to have. Feel as though I'm "burn't out"!

"Indy" Cat is keeping me company at the moment which is a nice thought. She's loyal and faithful.

I'm embracing her gentleness (if she was human, her soothing; courteous nature would contribute to her being called a Gentlewoman). It's good having quiet times.

Time will tell,

Kim.

P.S: You are most welcome to view/read the blog Archive!!

* 'HAWC'.. "I love it" ..

THIS DAY has been okay. I HAVE been practicing certain exercises that I do twice a week with a trainer at St. Laurence REHAB. Gym (which is known as "HAWC" - Health and Wellness Centre). This Rehab. is different in the form of being JUST a gym.

I was referred to this Gym by my General Practitioner in the use of the 'Allied Health' scheme. Told Nikky (my professional trainer) that "I Love it" there. She smiled.

EVERYONE is friendly (INCLUDING THOSE who do rehab. exercises for WHATEVER). The 'exercisers' vary from Stroke victims, Heart Attack victims, Car Accident affected victims and those with "MS" (Multiple Sclerosis) as it's commonly called.

I've been doing bi-cep CURLS, leg lifts (to the best of my ability - my right leg is weaker than the left leg), stretching a huge 'rubber band' with my hands, sitting (in my locked-in Wheelchair) to work the Water (wheel) ERGOMETER rotating both hands in devices (with a similar PULL to rowing MOTION) while the blue water swishes visibly inside that wheel. It's an amazing piece of activity which at the time of use it digitally 'tells' me my pulse rate, the time I have taken to use the machine, and much, much MORE.

YES! "I LOVE IT".

Nikky looks and says that she can see my muscles trying to move when I'm not SO sure (during the other manual exercises). When she points out to me the muscles THAT ARE trying to move/they are ACTUALLY moving, I can THEN feel and see that!

*EXERCISING also promotes good pro-active ENDORPHINS!

SUCH a POSITIVE atmosphere and experience. I heartily recommend it.

"LOVE IT!"

FRAGRANT Roses..

Returned home from Rehab. Have been VERY busy (especially during this Christmas time of year) in arranging appointments with Medical Professionals to support me in whatever ways that are appropriate/beneficial to the current needs of my chronic condition.

A recall in general regarding my first experience in 'Rehab'.:

Was given a notebook and pen from my speech pathologist to write down anything I might be feeling at the time.

I wrote down that I NEED to follow through step by step if I'm going to achieve all that I can gain in the time that I'm there (sometimes found that difficult but "pushed on"). Exercising by pushing the manual wheelchair around the wards did improve my core strength. I especially noticed that by the time I returned home.

Before I entered Rehab. I felt unable to cope with the disease and even
through many times of the feelings of solitude I would want to cry every second of every minute of every hour of every day. Oftentimes it seemed to me that I was doing just that whether physically or even spiritually but, my God and Saviour always pulled and pulls me through, learning and appreciating all He has given me and will always give me (providing I always seek His help). I'm quite sure that with the challenges I've been presented with in life that if it wasn't for Him, I most probably wouldn't be here even to type this to you (or for myself).

Am tap, tap tapping these keys. Am "tiredish" but am very much privileged in sharing my journey.

My medicines have not helped my weight gain in fact I believe that thay have contributed to it due to the chemical lowering of my metabolic rate. At last I've been given a medicine that has been "tailormade" for me. According to Anna (my Rehab. Speech Pathologist) about every second person in the population is taking and benefits from an anti-depressant as a support in this complicated world. I literally thank the Lord for all His help in looking after all my needs. Sometimes help has to be sought for Jesus to help us. He is a practical God and works through many ways just for us (if we want His help). Over the years, I've found I constantly need His assistance. Talking/praying to Him has kept me close to Himself. He does deserve to be thanked.

NOTEBOOK entries:

8/12/'09 -

Life sucks at this point!

9/12/'09 -

It's still sucking but realise that I need to deal with it to improve.

"Thank you" to God, for Anna (Speech Pathologist). She has been an injection of marvellous positivity. It's because she's been empathetic (compassionate) to the needs that I have.
Searching what will assist me.

It's good that I've learned new strategies and adding them to my personal life's journey.

Helpful comments ("gems") from REHAB.:

* "Stress Less" (Fiona - Nurse).

* "Take it A day at A time".

* "Stop putting TOO much pressure on myself".

10/12/'09 -

Wish it was my release day (from Rehab.) TODAY! Have spent nearly three (3) weeks here. Have got three (3) days to go until then. Looking forward to my hubby visiting me today. A Rehab. Receptionist has just walked in with a vase of beautiful freshly-picked Roses from her garden. She stayed and explained what each Rose was called. They are "deliciously" fragrant. "Thank you Lord". I feel and know in my heart there is joy and beauty.

CHRISTMAS day is in three (3) days. Yay!

"WHO'D'A THUNK IT" ?? .. yesterday !

Today .. I slipped and fell and SPENT three and 3/4 hours on the floor all because I have MS.
We are all CHALLENGED in many ways! FORTUNATELY, my daughter arrived home early from her workplace and tried to help me by strategically placing cushions under my 'derriere' to hopefully "soften the blow" - and, it did..abit. My hubby. soon arrived home from his workplace so that he and my daughter would be able to lift me from the floor.
I don't remember ever fretting (crying) so much. NONETHELESS, I've stopped my shedding of tears and am NOW productively tapping the keys of the computer. I must be MORE careful.. MUCH, more careful in the future.