WALKING IN THE RAIN Home

Introduction

Walk with me if you will? Just for a few moments I'd like to take you on a journey. Do you want to know what it's like?  To be fairly normal one moment driving down a major thoroughfare only to come under attack physically to the point where you pull over to the nearest side and fall out gasping for air while your body descends into utter chaos.  If this were happening to you and could happen on any day and at anytime what would you do?  How would you cope?  For the past eight years this has been part of my life as I fight daily to live as normal  a life as possible.

So if you will, come along with me and take a brief glimpse into the life of those suffering from chronic illness.  It's not just about the pain or the suffering.  It's not just about the loss of normalcy.  It's also about the journey of life itself and what it takes for any of us to make it from day to day not just those of us with chronic illness it may just also be about you and where you are in this journey of life.

Why write a book?  What is the real purpose?  Well for me there are several.  While much of this book will be centered around my life dealing with illness in general chronic illness to be specific.  It is also a book of hope, advice, and encouragement to others who face the ordeals and traumas that accompany their daily lives as they try as best they know how to deal with chronic illness or life?s problems in general.

Often such individuals as was the case for myself are second guessed and their degree or severity of illness doubted.  They are often doubted and ridiculed by those who they love the most.  Friends, co-workers, relatives and even spouses begin to doubt them and eventually abandon them.

This book is also for those normal  people who just do not get it.  If you are such a person I hope and pray that you read this book and then show love and compassion to those who need it the most.

Finally my prayer, and my desire is that this book is used as a tool along with prayer and faith to help those with chronic illness to actually live.  Life is such a precious gift and we all can live it even under the worst of circumstances chronic illness being one.

CHAPTER ONE

Born this way

I was born with what at the time was called a nervous stomach.  Today some medical professionals look at it and IBS irritable bowel syndrome being the same or closely related.  For those of you who do not know what IBS is or what it is like it is not very pleasant.  However I'll save that discussion for later I'm getting ahead of myself. As a child being told of this condition and somewhat understanding what the word nervous meant.  I kind of envisioned my stomach as being one very very busy place.  I would sit on the couch and just bounce back and forth.  My dad would always comment You know he has that nervous stomach.

Anyway there just had to be these little men inside of my stomach always busy, always doing something never taking it easy just busy, busy, busy.  In other words I had no real clue as to what this nervous stomach was all I knew was that I had it. Neither my parents nor medical professionals took the time to explain to me what this nervous stomach was all about. All I know is that I had it (my eating habits and activities were often limited). Life growing up with a nervous stomach was very interesting to say the least.

From Kindergarten through high school I missed my share of school, good times, and family events due to the extended problems of my nervous stomach.  I probably vomited more then anyone else, I would pass out and did it so much that I learned to do it with some style and class.

I cannot remember my childhood days without pointing out certain things.  There were things that I was forced to eat that just did not fit well with my digestive system.  My parents being the parents they were bless their hearts meant well.  However they forced me to eat things that later on as an adult I realized were just not good for me.  Today I eat very little red meat if any and if I eat too much I pay for it big time.

I eat absolutely no pork that really does a number on me.  There were things I would eat that would come right back up and I was accused of doing it on purpose.  When I was 16 I found out that I was lactose intolerant.  I had no idea that it was the milk that caused me so much trouble as a child.

Let me take this opportunity to point something out.  It is terrible for anyone to try and tell someone else what they can or cannot eat.  Each of us has our own unique digestive system.  People always and to this day accuse me of being picky.  When that is by no means the case.

Over time I realized what set me off, I got tired of vomiting, fainting, and missing some very important events in life due illness.  I learned that if I left my stomach alone it would leave me alone.  So we had a deal if I kept certain things out of my stomach it left me alone those little men found something else to do to keep them busy.  We all have to monitor what we eat some things we really enjoy eating we must learn to eat in moderation or not at all it's just that simple.

I cannot proceed any further in this book without giving real credit where credit is due.  The only reason I am alive today is because of God.  He has kept me through very serious and trying times in my life as I dealt with illness. There have been times when I've had very bad reactions to medication and almost died.  These days I strongly endorse natural remedies and encourage people to seek Godly medical professionals who do not shy away from natural remedies.

I truly believe that I am not in any ways cursed as a result of my life long battles with illness.  Yes I've endured a lot of pain and often asked God the question why?  Yet as I sit here I can truly say no I'm not cursed I'm blessed!!!

You see in- (Jer 1:5)   Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I consecrated you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

I realize that God knew me and it did not matter that I was born with a nervous stomach.  It did not matter that my life would be filled with illness.  God knew me and had a wonderful purpose and plan for my life in spite of all of my illness and suffering. It became evident as he helped me to live!!!