A Topsy-Turvy Month of March

Topsy-turvy...that's the only word I can think of to describe the month of March. It's been disorderly, chaotic, and a bit out of joint. There have been ups and downs. Highs and lows. 

It all started out well enough. My dad celebrated his 75th birthday. This was an especially big deal as he gave us all a scare last month when he came down with a staph infection, which entered his bloodstream. He was very sick and his doctor said if he would have waited 1 more day before going to the ER, the outcome might have been different. 

Celebrating my dad's 75th birthday! 

On his birthday, we just had a small party as he was not yet feeling 100 percent. A couple of weeks later, when Dawn was here with Faith and I stayed with my parents, I noticed he seemed like he had more energy and was feeling better. I am very thankful for that! 

Another person in my family (my sister Tesa) also had a milestone birthday this month. She turned 50! We were all hoping it would work out to have a big birthday bash for both her and Dad, but there were too many scheduling conflicts to make it work (not to mention the price of airline tickets and the crazy weather). We are still hoping to do a get-together this summer to celebrate them both. 

But speaking of weather (as we like to do in North Dakota) that has been crazy as well. One day it seemed like we were having an early spring, but then we ended up with snow and high winds. Another day this month, it hit 75 degrees, breaking a record high temperature, which made it feel more like summer! 

A meme shared by a local meteorologist this month! 

Faith also had a doctor appointment with the physiatrist she sees who coordinates her treatment for spasticity and scoliosis. Unfortunately, Faith's back brace is very constricting, and she has not been willing to wear it for more than 2 hours at a time. 

Thankfully, her doctor came up with a different solution, so some adjustments are in the works. We also need to make adjustments to her chair so that she has more support on her right side. 

This appointment can be overwhelming, and Faith always gets super anxious about it. She is always scared she is going to have to go on the exam table in the prone position (on her stomach) which she hates. He could tell she was not going to cooperate, which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to get her on her stomach. 

Faith has exceeded the 100-pound mark!

She at least got out of her chair, so we were able to weigh her wheelchair without her in it, and then when she was in it. I was shocked when the nurse told me she weighed 111 pounds! Apparently, the Liquid Hope, along with her blended diet, and the snacks she has been eating by mouth has all helped her gain weight! 

This is a huge deal, as when she was younger, one of her diagnoses was failure to thrive. It has always been hard for her to put on weight, so I am thankful it's no longer a major concern. 

Unfortunately, though, the particular kind of Liquid Hope she has been using is on back order until July! One day, we only received about 10 pouches of food, but I figured the rest was coming in a separate shipment, as does happen once in a while. 

Faith getting a feeding - she is so excited about gaining weight! 

When the rest of the food did not come, I called the DME company and they had no idea what was going on. They contacted the company that makes the food and found out it was on back order. I called the company as well and they told me there was a manufacturing issue with the type of Liquid Hope Faith gets through her feeding tube. They told me they only had one flavor available. 

I contacted her doctor and asked if we could get a prescription for that particular flavor. We did end up getting some of it, but unfortunately it contains blueberries, which does not go through her tube very well, so I have to strain it before giving it to her. On a positive note, we did get some extra feeding bags from another mom in our special needs community, and that has been a huge blessing! 

One more frustration for Faith this month was that she lost another one of her favorite staff at her day program. This makes 3 of her favorites that have left the room she is in at her day program. (Thankfully she still gets to talk to them from time to time!) 

These transitions are always hard for her, especially when new staff gets hired. It takes time for her to be able to completely trust them.

Faith with 3 of her former staff 

None of these frustrations and disappointments are anything like what some people go through on a daily basis. I have to remind myself that things could be much worse. God continues to bless us and provide for our needs, and I am so grateful for that. 

On a sad note, we have some friends from church whose 16-year-old son passed away. Connor had Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which is a progressive disease that left him bed bound for several months. His mother lovingly cared for him day and night these past few years. We are heartbroken that Connor is no longer with us but are thankful he is no longer in pain. 

Faith with Connor and his parents and sister at her graduation reception in 2022

Another family that we met during Faith's homeschooling days, lost their 7-year-old son in a tragic car accident. It's these tragedies that make us realize how fragile life is and that we truly never know when our life on earth is through. Only God, the One who created us, knows when we will draw our final breath. 

Whether expected or unexpected, everyone on this Earth will die and spend eternity either in heaven or in hell. That choice is up to you. If you choose to believe that Jesus is your Savior, you will go to heaven. 

As we get ready to celebrate Easter, please remember that it's not about bunnies, but rather the One who died on the cross so that you can receive His free gift of salvation. When you believe that you can't save yourself, and only Jesus can, all your sins are forgiven, and you are guaranteed a place in Heaven for all of eternity. It's really that simple! 

You don't need to be a good person or make sure your good works outnumber your sins in order to get to Heaven. You don't even need to hope that you'll make it because the moment you place your trust in Jesus, you can have assurance of salvation. That is wonderful news and what Easter is truly all about!