From Aaron
The last few days have been extremely miserable for us. Natalie has been feeling sick which, we discovered yesterday, has been caused by a peptic ulcer. When the doctor told her what the problem is and she yelled, “oh praise God, just an ulcer!” he said her response said alot about what we have gone through lately. Pretty funny.
I cut my pain medicine in half so I have been having pretty aweful withdrawals the last few days. Very miserable. I hardly need any pain medicine anymore, I have mostly been taking it to avoid bad withdrawals by slowing lowering the dose. But I came out of the hospital on such a high dose, that it has been taking a long time to get the dose to a low level. So, being a little impatient with the progress, I decided to take a plunge and bear thru some suffering. I am coming out of the withdrawals now and my dose is a very reasonable level from which it will be pretty easy to get to a really low dose. In a few weeks I should completely off a regular schedule and be able to only take it “as needed.” One less drug in my body will be good!
A few things I want to touch on:
We get alot of people contacting us here on the blog in comments, cards in the mail, phone messages at home, via other people, etc. Often, I am not even up to picking up the phone unless it is my wife or parents. Although we don’t get back to all of you, know we appreciate hearing from you all so much!!!
The rummage sale was a great success! People donated lots of wonderful items so the sale had everything from the usuall “rummage” to very high priced items. I wished so badly that I could have been there to thank everyone personally but, alas, I could not. Thank you so very much to all that helped out in any way.
Please pray for NewLead’s (my employer) continual success as a business. They have been a HUGE financial AND spiritual support for us. There isn’t a more wonderful company to work for in all the world.
Also, I have finally been able to bring my steady weight loss to an end! I held it steady at 112 lbs for a few weeks and even gained a pound. Because of the withdrawals the last few days, I did drop down to 110, but it is just from the withdrawals, so once they are done I wont loose any more. Woohoo! Praise God!
Whew! I did not write much, but I am tired. I am gonna go lay down now…
God bless you all so very much.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Natalie: Glad you went to the doctor. Hope that settles all the weird symptoms you were talking about. Praying for you. Still praying for strength for your whole family. We love you and are so glad you are home. God is glorified by all of you.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Praying for you Aaron!
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:08 am
actually you did write a lot aaron. i’m perfectly healthy (i think) and i can’t even write as much as you did!
Natalie… you have always been such an inspiration to me. i am so sorry that you’re sick. i’m not suprised but i am so sorry. i’ve been bummed that no one has called me for help. is it because it’s not needed or because I’M not needed?
love you guys
call me; i’d do anything
love, sarah
798-3995
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:46 am
Your attitudes are always such an encouragement and example; though I can not relate in any way to your struggle; I know the Lord is with you THRU the valley, and that the only reason there is a shadow is because there is a Source of Light…the Living Lord Jesus who does all things well. This Hart High ‘65 grad is praying from NY
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Aaron, are you looking for all those lost pounds? I found them wrapped tightly all over my body. If I can figure out a way to do it, I’ll gladly send them back your way.
I have updated my little group on your progress. We will NOT stop the battle for you and your family. It is obvious that Satan is not going to give up easily. What an important man you are in God’s family.
You and your family are a real inspiration to so many people. They love you and obviously showed it in a huge way at the rummage sale. Even in your isolation, you are much loved. I pray you can sense it.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Amy: It sure does. The doctor gave me some medicine in the office and I walked out 100 times better than when I went in. I’m glad you’re back online!
Sarah: I love you! I just sent you an email. :)
Sandy, Jack and Nita Jo: Thanks for your encouraging words. Knowing that you are keeping up with us and continuing to pray for us means a lot! May God bless you as greatly as He has blessed us!
Everyone else: We appreciate your thoughts and prayers, as well. You are a blessing to us! Praise God for His unceasing goodness!
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:29 am
The Friends of Aaron, Philadelphia Branch, continue to be awed by your strength and determination and hope that our good thoughts and prayers will help you keep on keepin’ on. The recovery line is moving up and feeling tired is part of getting better, but we’re sure that doesn’t always make the day-to-day stuff easier. Keep up the good work!
Dennis and Rebecca Barnebey
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:29 pm
You know, it’s not funny, but it is. When this is all over you will be able to “counsel” not only others living through debilitating diseases, but drug addicts, anorexics, hermits… I mean it sounds like you’ve had the experiences of all of them! We too are looking forward the return of “super social Aaron” and a Natalie who doesn’t need to be as ultra-humanly wonderful as she has obviously been throughout quite so often. Feel the love, feel the prayers!
Ingrid, Tim and Analyn
August 24th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Aaron,
It was so good to hear from you directly! Your courage in facing and dealing with everything thrown your way has been amazing. I’m sorry to hear that Natalie hasn’t been feeling well - she has been so wonderful through all this. I’m praying for you both every day. I have a picture in my head of all of us together, laughing and talking about stuff as we’ve done before, with you healthy and strong and surrounded by family and friends. Although not there in person, I hope you can feel all of us in spirit and I have the utmost faith that that picture will happen in person someday soon.
All my love and prayers, Lorien