A New Ride

A little known fact: I love amusement parks! I love the rides, the food, the smells, the people. It's a sensory delight for me!

Growing up in Texas, we went to Six Flags 2-3 times a year - as a family, with church groups - anyone who wanted to go! And I rode everything! I was 5'2" by the time I was in fifth grade and met all the heigth requirements so that never held me back. If my dad rode it, I was there. If a teen in the church rode it, so would I.

I love the feel of the wind in my face and the adrenaline rush in my veins. Standing in line with people from all over the world, meeting them and hearing the excitement in their voice. It was always a great time.

Our family has had many ridess - infertility, childbirth, moves, illnesses, surgeries. Maybe God prepared me for all of this by my love for amusememt parks!

Now we're on a new ride. It will be a long one - until God decides to stop the ride and kick us off!

This new park is called Sjogren's Syndrome. (SHOW-gren's)

Sjogren's is an autoimmune disease that attacks the glands in your body that produce fluids - eyes, ears, lymph glands, salivary glands, joints. It can cause fatigue (that explains alot!) and brain fog (really, how would I know?) My mouth has not spit - that makes it hard to talk, teach and sing! And the joints in my hands and feet swell and are painful. Sometimes more than others.

If you were in Passion Play, you may have noticed my dry mouth and sometimes I had trouble speaking because my tongue was swollen. That was some of the first symptoms.

My eyes have some damage so I have to limit my use of my contacts to 3-5 hours a day. Boo. I really don't like my glasses, but it's okay.

Cure? No. But, Yes!, there are treaments. Ready? Anti-Malaria medications! And eye drops that I drink! Prednisone for the joint swelling and pain. (The earache I've had for 3 months and they've treated for an infection? Nope. My salivary gland is extremely swollen and pushing on the ear canal.)

So this is our new ride! Let's see how God moves in this time! I've got another friend who was already on the ride when I arrived and she assured me we can make it!

I know that my God is here. He's always faithful. And though he made the amusement parks, not all the rides are His idea - but he does supply the safety gear!

This ride I'm not excited about. But I'm here. I'm strapped in. So, let's go!

But FYI, if I forget your name, a date, an appointment, where I am, where my kids are - I'll just blame it on Brain Fog created by The Ride! and we can both laugh!