Tag: health

Joy In The Morning

Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and cannot fall back asleep. On those nights, I usually end up scrolling through social media to see who needs prayer and pray for the needs I already know about. On some of those restless nights, I find myself singing the old hymns that I learned as a child.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest;

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

I know the words to every verse of this song as well as many other hymns from my childhood. As I sing these beautiful hymns, I sense the quiet embrace of God’s presence around me. I have assurance that He is as close as my next breath and there will be joy in the morning.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” ~Lamentations 3:22-23

I am thankful for this reminder that God brings joy in the morning through His whispers of love in our little victories and echoes of mercy in our failures. ~OC

0

Still Standing and Thankful

Today’s a new day! I don’t like being in pain and I don’t like having multiple health issues that will probably shorten my life. I would love to grow old with my bride. But I realize that may not be the plans God has for my life. But I know and I trust that He is faithful. God’s plans are the best and do not revolve around me. Acts 13:36 says, “when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep”. When God has done what he wants through me, I will step into heaven in his perfect timing.

Why has God allowed me to walk this health journey? Maybe it is to help me be a better husband and friend. Maybe it’s an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with more people. Maybe it’s for reasons way beyond my understanding. All I know is that God has given me this gift of health issues to use for his glory. All I know is that I will continue to trust and serve him.

Sometimes it is still hard to comprehend that my life could end at any moment. But isn’t that the case for all of us? As the Bible teaches,

All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever. (1 Peter 1:24)

When I received my first diagnosis in August 2002, it was a total shock. I knew I didn’t feel great, but I had no idea how I was so sick. My life at that time involved being a husband, a social worker and volunteer at multiple ministries.

Back then, some doctors shared I might only have five years to live. However, God had other ideas and even though my health journey has been full of twist and turns and multiple life threatening illnesses, I am still standing. Some days my life has felt like a ticking time bomb. My bride has become an expert in dealing with multiple infections,various types of devices being surgically implanted into my body and various treatments to just keep me alive.

As the multiple health issues continue to weaken my body, I am thankfully aware that Jesus is my Lord and Savior in whom I can depend, and that all other ground is sinking sand. I am so grateful to God for everything. I am thankful for who God is, his majesty, his splendour, and his promises. I am thankful for my bride, family, friends and life. I am so thankful to God for the resurrection of Jesus which means I will have victory over death and do not need to fear what my future holds. It is such a comfort to read,

“Death has been swallowed up in victory”
  “Where, O death, is your victory?
  Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)

As my body grows weaker, I am thankful God continues to allow me to truly embrace life. To continue making beautiful memories with my bride. Some dear friends even bought me an electric trike to get around town. Watch out world! I will enjoy the new bike in between my many naps. After years of not being able to sleep, most of my days now involve sleeping most of the day.

What can be hard is coping with chronic pain and deteriorating health while still navigating the physical and emotional challenges of trying to live a “normal life.” Another challenge is not knowing what each day might bring. It is impossible to make plans. Between multiple medical appointments and hospitalizations, it can be difficult to make any plans.

However, I am just so thankful for God’s guidance through his word. The Bible is so clear about what God wants me to do now, even as I grow weaker: “Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:16). God is so clear. This is what God wants me to do now. I am thankful he continues to allow me to live an amazing life.

So, I will continue to thank God for this gift of health issues because he is good and he is using it for his purposes. The plans of the Lord are perfect, even if I do not always know the reasons I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful health journey. All I know is that someday, I will be in the loving presence of Jesus. But until then, I will continue to live life and embrace every moment. If you see me out and about on my trike, stop and say hello. Oh, and wake me up if I happen to be asleep. ~OC

0

Between the Dash

Today’s a new day! How do you want to be remembered? Another way to ask this question is what do want your life to stand for beyond the dash between your date of birth and the day you leave this world? This may sound like a depressing post, but actually thinking about how you want to be remembered could make a huge difference in the way you live your life.

Most people shy away from talking about death; it feels morbid. But one thing that is for sure in this life is -unless Jesus comes again soon to rapture his people —all of us will face death and all of us will leave behind a legacy. It should not be morbid or depressing to think about how you want to be remembered; it’s smart, and it could be life changing.

How would you choose to live your life if God revealed to you the day, month, and year when you would pass from this life into eternity? How would it affect your daily routine?

In the Bible, Psalm 90 is titled “A prayer of Moses the man of God,” and here’s part of that prayer:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom(Psalm 90:12).

And in Psalm 39:4, King David prayed:

Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

These two were on the same page, even though centuries apart. They were not asking for a gift of prophecy, but rather, they were asking God to help them live like they were dying—to live in the reality that their days were numbered, and that this life is fleeting.

How often have we prayed such a prayer: Dear God, show me how fleeting—how brief, how short, how transient—my life is? Suppose we began each of our days with this type of prayer, asking God to help us number our days. We would then begin to live in the knowledge that this world is temporary, but eternity is forever.

As I have run this crazy beautiful health journey, I have probably spent a little more time thinking about my mortality. Today, I want to encourage you to give a little more thought to the truth that you will leave this life one day and enter eternity. Are you living with eternity’s values in mind? I believe this is a good question for all of us to consider. ~OC

0

Deep Roots

Today’s a new day! I shall not be moved; I shall not be shaken. How many times have I repeated these familiar Bible verses in my mind, thinking that as long as I am truly rooted in God, nothing will ever rock my world.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

But this world can be like a roller coaster, full of twist and turns. And sometimes no matter how hard we cling to the grace of God, we can find ourselves overwhelmed by the storms of life.

There are times we still shake when life throws us a curveball. No one is immune to the unsteady waves of this broken world.

So how do we stay rooted?

Having been born and raised in South Florida, I have lived through many storms and hurricanes. Life can be a little unpredictable during hurricane season. As I reflect on all the hurricanes I have lived through, I realize that I had it all wrong just asking the question above.

During a hurricane, the trees can violently sway back and forth. I think to myself, there is no way those trees can withstand the strong winds. At any moment, they are going to fly away in the storm. But I marvel as the trees sway and rock, but are not uprooted.

Steady they hold on, anchored in the ground by an invisible root system designed to protect them from life’s raging storms.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. (Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬)

Life will shake us. It will move our earthly bodies and minds in ways that feel almost impossible to recover from. But when we anchor ourselves in the love and salvation of God, we find that our eternal soul and spirit can never be moved.

Just like those trees, we have an invisible root system that anchors us in the Kingdom of God. This allows us to walk confidently through the storms of life, knowing that God is always holding onto us.

Though the earth give way and the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea, we remain rooted in God. Although life and the choices we make may move us, God always has us right where He wants us.

I want to encourage you to remember that we always have an anchor in the unsteady waves of this world.  I pray you remember how all that we are is secured in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. ~OC

0

Keep Pressing Forward

Today’s a new day! Life is full of hard times. I do not think that is breaking news to anyone. The nightly news point to it. Our neighbors and coworkers talk about it. Our hearts feel it. So many people are going through hard times right now. Let’s face it: Life is hard, even in the best of times. Disappointments, illnesses, loss, broken relationships, dashed dreams. As we walk through these difficult moments, what does the Bible say about getting through adversity?

Plenty, actually! God knows we’re living in a broken world, but He has not left us to suffer alone.

First, when we’re in the midst of hard times, it can be difficult to remember that nothing happens without the knowledge of God, who “works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). You are not victim of random occurrences; you are a child of a Heavenly Father who wants to turn adversity into opportunity.

We also need to keep uppermost in our minds that hardships don’t last forever—but the things we learn from them do. The Apostle Paul writes the following words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18,

“Therefore we do not lose heart. . . . For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Adversity in God’s hands can help us refrain from our self-dependency and pride. It can push us into deeper intimacy with Jesus. It can redirect our paths toward our greater good, and toward God’s greater glory.

Tough times also can reshape us. Think about Romans 5:1-5, in which Paul says that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope… Or 1 Peter 5:10, in which the apostle Peter teaches that “the God of all grace … after you have suffered a little, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”

Who doesn’t want to be a person of character, full of hope, strong and steadfast?

It’s all in how we react to those tough moments in life isn’t it? A good place to start is to discern the source of the adversity. Is it just circumstances? Maybe you’ve lost your job due to the budget cuts, or your chronic illness is currently getting the best of you. You could be suffering from physical, mental or emotional exhaustion from the current trials you’re facing. Life is hard!

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey and study God’s word the overall message I continue to hear is to turn to Him and trust Him. Persevere! That’s what Hebrews says: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36).

Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Don’t opt out! Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

You aren’t going through hard times alone.  No matter what, remember to Keep Pressing Forward. Stay Focused. Finish Strong. ~OC

0

You Can’t Be That Sick

Today’s a new day! As I have walked through this crazy beautiful health journey, I have always tried to help educate people about what life is like for people dealing with long term chronic illness. Here is a tip for every well meaning person who uses the following statement, “But you don’t look sick”

“You went out for lunch yesterday, you can’t be in that much pain”

“I saw some photos of you on Facebook, looked like you were having a good time. You can’t be that sick”

“I see you went to an event , had friends over or went on vacation. You must be feeling better.” No, it means I am trying to live my life and not be defined by my illness.

So many health issues are called invisible illnesses for a reason.

Whether it’s a mental or physical illness, if it’s not that obvious on the outside then there are always people who will try to diminish what you’re going through.

Because it’s not like you can laugh at a joke when you have a broken bone or anything and it’s not like you can tell people that a bruise doesn’t hurt when it actually does.

It’s called putting on a brave face, not just because you want people to think you’re okay but because sometimes it’s hard to talk about. Sometimes people just don’t understand and because flippant and hurtful comments sometimes make you feel like you have to conceal even the worst of days.

I’ve been around groups of people, trying to laugh and joke and act normal while going through severe pain from the multiple life threatening issues that are slowly killing my body on a daily basis. (not even gonna sugar-coat it) and enduring the lovely overwhelming fatigue that comes with it.

I do not wear my illnesses on my face everyday of my life because they don’t define me as a person and I shouldn’t have to justify being sick to anyone.

More importantly, if having a chronic illness means I am not allowed to smile, laugh or have fun once in a while then what is the point of struggling through the tough days? What is the point of living if I cannot enjoy my life despite being sick.

Just because I “do not look sick” doesn’t automatically mean I am okay.

So please for the love of all that’s good in the world, stop telling people with visible or invisible illnesses that “you don’t look that sick”. Thank you for taking the time to read this public service announcement. ~OC

0

Surviving the Bite

Today’s a new day! I love when God uses a scripture or chapter of the Bible to speak to my heart and to share a message. Today was one of those days. The following post was inspired by Acts 28. I pray the following words bring you encouragement.

In Acts 28, when the Apostle Paul was bitten by a viper, his hand or body did not swell up and he did not die. The people were amazed. Can you imagine witnessing that story? But as I read about this encounter Paul had with this viper, God brought something to my mind. Even though Paul’s hand and body did not swell up and even though he survived this encounter, no where in Chapter 28, does it say Paul did not experience some pain from that bite. You see, God never promised to protect us from the pain of the bite. But God did promise to protect us from the venom of the bite. Some storms in life are going to cause pain, but they will not necessarily kill you. Likewise, God would never allow us to walk through a season of pain without revealing a greater purpose for our pain.

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I embrace the opportunities my suffering has allowed me to experience. I embrace the lessons this journey has taught me. I give thanks for the many blessings I have experienced during this journey. I am thankful for the person I have become through this journey.

So today, I encourage you to not allow the venom of this world to keep you from experiencing the purpose God has for your life through your suffering. ~OC

0

My Covid Story

On March 13, 2020, America shut down because of Covid. Five years later, Covid still plays a major part in my life. Here is my story.

For most, the year 2020 was one to forget. The Covid Pandemic turned most of the world upside down. We watched in horror as we witnessed so many people and families suffer tremendous suffering and lose. As my wife and I watched all this unfold, we were thankful that Covid19 had not touched us. Until it did.

On Super Bowl Sunday 2021, I woke up a little tired. It had been a long week so I did not think much of it. I took my temperature and thankfully it was normal. I headed off to church excited for the day. You see, I am a life long Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan and they were playing in the Super Bowl. After church, I headed home and took a little pregame nap. When I woke up everything had changed. I woke up with my shirt soaked in sweat. I took my temperature and it was at 103.6. I immediately went and had a Covid test. Of course this was on a Sunday, so my results would take a few days. I went home and basically slept through the Bucs winning the Super Bowl. Go Bucs!

On that Monday morning, I woke up feeling much worse. My temperature was now at 104.2. I also had a terrible headache, body aches, terrible cough and did not want to move. Later in the day, it was determined I needed to make my way to the ER. Once inside the ER, test revealed I did indeed have Covid and double pneumonia. I was headed to the Covid floor.

During my stay at the hospital, I received Blood Plasma, Steroids and Remdesivir. Being isolated on the Covid floor was tough. When I had been hospitalized in the past, I was used to having visitors and walking the halls. This hospital stay was filled with staff in protective covering and closed doors. Complete Isolation. After more than a week on the Covid floor, I was released. Time to recover from Covid and double pneumonia.

After being released from the hospital, I had to spend a week isolated away from my wonderful bride, since she continued to test negative for Covid. But unfortunately, my wife would soon experience the effects of Covid. Thankfully, her symptoms were a little milder and she does not suffer from any longtime effects. After finally arriving home, I waited to feel better. Surely I would feel better in a few days. But that was not the case. After two months my symptoms had not gotten much better. My CT Scan showed my lungs were still filled with Covid. I was still dealing with headaches, breathing issues, cough, no appetite, hoarse voice, fatigue and brain fog. Most of my days felt like the movie Groundhogs Day.

My medical team officially classified me as a Covid Long Hauler almost six months after my original diagnosis. Not a club anyone wants to be part of. Everything was wait and see. So, what do you do with that news? When you cannot rely on anything that was once reliable. When you have taken every step you know how to take-what then? You Hope. You Never Give Up.

My life is totally different than it was on that morning in February 2021. In 2025, I still stand up having no idea where I am going. Trying to process new information is still a challenge. Breathing continues to be a struggle. Constant fatigue. I could go on and on about the different symptoms I still deal with on a daily basis.

So as I continue to walk this journey, I still lean into Hope. I still do my research. I continue to try to encourage others walking through their own Long Hauler’s battle. I will continue to pray with great expectancy to wake up one morning with no Covid symptoms. That day when I am renewed physically. But until that day, I will live in Hope. ~OC

0

Dear Dementia,

Today’s a new day! As most of you know, I was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia caused by Parkinson’s last September (2024). As I have walked through the past few months, I have thought about this diagnosis and what it means for my future. So I thought I would write a letter to dementia. Hopefully it makes sense.

Dear Dementia, I often wonder if you were a person, what would I say to you? So often dementia tries to fill me with anger, sadness and frustration. But thankfully, I am able to fight off those emotions most days. But some days all those emotions get the best of me.

I think I’ll start with I am a little frustrated with you dementia. I dislike that you’ve made sharing my thoughts and having conversations a little tougher these days. I am a little frustrated that being social has become a bit more difficult for me. Since I am in the early stages of dementia, I have learned a few tricks to hide my struggles from people. But I cannot hide those struggles from myself and that makes me frustrated at times.

I am frustrated that you try and fill my days with grief, loneliness and sadness. I am saddened that some friends find it too difficult to call or visit because they do not know what to say. I am frustrated that you’re trying to take away my memories too, with you being all consuming; you sometimes make it hard to remember how things were before you.

But dementia despite all the frustration sadness and grief, I still choose to live with hope and embrace every moment of life. My bride and I still talk about future plans and trips. We will not allow you to become our identity. We celebrate those days I feel like my old self. Almost like the fog has been lifted. I embrace those days because they will not always be around. I embrace simple moments with family and friends a little more these days. I am thankful for those friends who still choose to treat me like me. Please keep doing that. Even on those days, I might not totally seem like the old me.

I am thankful that God continues to walk this journey with me. He is bigger than dementia and all the other health issues trying to take me out. They may get the best of me some days, but they will not get the victory. No, that belongs to God and I will continue to hold onto that truth.

Dear Dementia, in some ways you have taught me the true value of unconditional love, and I will use that to defeat you. I will never give up on loving my life, loving those in my life and never ever give up on beating you. You’ve brought pain and suffering to so many people’s lives, snuck in and attacked the most vulnerable. But by working with medical researchers and families affected by your cruel actions we will learn new ways to defeat you. One day I will be part of ending you, as you will never be able to take away the unconditional love that fills me up and guides me along this crazy beautiful health journey. ~OC

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑