Prayers for My Husband and Children…
…As they’re faced with a relapse of my psoriatic arthritis. This looks like a pretty severe flare. It came on very quickly and I am unable to walk. My cane is useless to me since the arthritis has settled into my right arm (elbow, wrist and hand). Our home is not equipped for assistive devices, though I think I may need a wheelchair at least temporarily. It is so difficult for them. The children must help out far more than they should, Brian has to juggle work and caring for me. The little ones don’t understand why Mama can’t get down and play. Extended family and friends find it difficult to understand the cycle of relapse and remission.
I am unable to take medications because I’m nursing our little Louis who is just 2 months old. The medication my doctor wants to give me is extremely effective, but I can’t get an answer about how it is manufactured – whether or not it is made with fetal cells… We are hoping to find a naturopathic doctor that understands our religious perspective on NFP and prolonged nursing. I have had remission as a result of very careful diet changes, but it takes time to see results. Perhaps it would interest people if I kept a diary of my process and progress…
In the meantime, things are hard for Brian and the children. I am trying to get through this with as much grace and dignity as possible, without overburdening them with chores to do.
Update: I was able to confirm that Enbrel is manufactured from aborted fetal cells, therefore it is off my list.
January 8th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
I cannot believe that you would refuse to take medication that would enable you to be a better parent to your older children all so you can nurse the baby.
January 8th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
How is it that you would think she could be a better parent by caving in on what she believes in when the going gets tough?
Besides if it weren’t for hard work and or suffering for others then none of us would be here. Its not going to hurt her children at all to learn how to be useful and productive, to feel like a needed and respected contributing member of a functioning, loving family. In fact it will make them better people to learn to serve others before themselves. And the world needs more people who care more about the welfare of their neighbor than their own pocketbook or entertainment.
How many hours a day does the average American child spend watching the boob tube? Playing video games? Surfin’ the net?
How many hours a day does the average American child spend volunteering at a homeless shelter? Playing games with the elderly at a nursing home? Drumming up money for homeless kids to have a coat in the winter?
Bad parenting is beating your kids, drinking too much to be a parent, and being too wrapped up in yourself to care about where your teen is.
Bad parenting is not asking your teen to take responsibility by contributing to THEIR family. A family is made up of people, not a person. It’s the children’s family too and they should take some responsibility as well.
January 8th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Lisa,your disdain for a heroic decision mystifies me. Everyone knows how much better for the newborn breast milk is and Nissa’s fortitude in doing the best for her baby is to be commended not criticized. The lifestyle this family leads, similar to my own, is radical by today’s standards I know. We put our faith and our family first - always. We make no judgements about people who don’t live the way we do but it seems that those who chose a different way of life feel free to comment and criticize our choices. I bet you would take great umbrage if someone criticized your decision to bottle feed or nurse. I’m certain you would not like it at all if someone took you to task for deciding to take a medicine created by killing unborn children. How about a few rude comments about the size of your family?? So why would you feel free to visit this lovely blog and post comments that are critical and nasty. Why not try to appreciate the loving atmosphere that this family creates every where they go and open your heart to the possibility that their choices are really good ones.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:12 am
Nissa, I admire you tremendously! God bless you!