Endurance

2 weeks ago Dr.Lerner increased my Valcyte dose to 3 450mg pills/day. He will check my blood next week to make sure it is okay and then we will go up to 4 pills a day- the full dose. I can't believe I have not been on the full dose!? I have been holding steady physically, continuing to spend my days in pain management through acupuncture, chiropractic and most recently gentle yoga (2x/wk). I have found that I can do one thing a day without resulting in a crash.

We have had a hard couple of weeks emotionally and have been growing weary. Chronic illness can really take a toll on a marriage and on kids. It is hard on friendships. There are only so many meals one can bring, so many times they can listen to you tell them how much pain you are in. Encouragement came the other day when a friend reminded me how much we endured in the time surrounding Grant's birth. (www.grantsamuel.blogspot.com) Since then, seemingly out of the blue others have been giving me Bible verses on patience and endurance. Throughout the week I've gained strength reflecting on how faithful God was to us during that "Grant season." Then, today, a package arrived FedEx. Inside was a beautifully wrapped DVD titled "Grant's Story." 6 1/2 years ago, our friend (and now well known videographer) offered to film Grant's birth, interview us afterward, collect photos and put together a video about Grant. Well, life got busy and we never got to see the finished product. Today, in my hand, I held the finished product. It is such a gift to me and perhaps most of all a reminder of God's faithfulness when I needed it most.