Ataxia

DIAGNOSIS:  ATAXIA ~ Chapter I ~

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Jennifer Kay Lewis

                                  “Many People Will Praise God Because You Obey The Good News …                                                           and Because You Freely Share With Them And With All Others.”   2 Cor 9:12

Last week, I Prayerfully chose to share my personal story with you about this ‘diagnosed’ Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia.  Can we continue to share and learn together?

As usual, my day was jam-packed with well-orchestrated activities.  On this crisp Sunday morning, my foster girls and I had enjoyed a compassionate and inspiring Sunday morning church sermon.  Then, home to devour a savoring beef-roast, potatoes, and carrots and culminating in cherry pie the girls helped prepare.

(You uniquely created me and have continued to mature me in your knowledge.)  My Lord blessed me with a confident athletic ‘run free’ spirit that has served to give me a hunger for your ‘protecting strength.’  “Thank You Father God for guiding me to undoubtedly endure and resist earning a rusty mind and body.)

“GOD’S STRENGTH IS MOST GREATLY DISPLAYED IN  OUR WEAKNESS.”  2 Cor. 12:1-10.

An unannounced awareness by an innocent caring little 6-year old foster child became an integral part of my day.  (Kayla must have just ‘sensed’ I had a need for assistance at that precise moment.)

We were going downstairs to the children’s playroom. For some unfathomable reason, my feet were not firmly landing on each descending step.  Kayla came to my rescue.  This wee child became my Super Woman!  She swiftly took my hand to make sure I was safely navigating the stairs until we reached the solid floor.

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“For He Will Command His Angels Concerning You To Guard You In All Your Ways;   “They Will Lift You Up In Their Hands, So You Will Not Strike Your Foot Against A Stone.”                             Psalm 91:10-12

 When you are facing a serious catastrophic crisis, no matter what the issue may be, you will find your truest family, and or friends are just like the ‘cream’ of milk, they will ‘rise’ to the top providing your ‘unconditional’ love list.

I always find it rather, paradoxical how God chooses to position and use someone else’s circumstances in order to change another person’s life.  Then, to further his divine hand of intervention, he may help them see how the ‘temporary’ things that are only of this secular world and will not have a ‘home’ in his eternal Kingdom.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.  9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”   Isaiah 55:8-9

My Prayer: “Father God, help me to become the Christian Lady that fearlessly shares, and freely gives of myself.  Please ‘examine my Heart,’ and know my sincerest intention to, hopefully, encourage and give inspiration  to another hurting person!  Let my ‘walk’ to freedom be a humble testimony that says:  “if she can do it – I CAN do it.”  Give me a new ‘Boldness’ to truly seek after you and know it’s okay to ‘Let Go and “Let God.”   I Pray to be ‘set free’ and when this day DOES happen, I KNOW that my God WILL remove these chains I’ve allowed to bind me.

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“OUGHT NOT THIS DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM, WHOM SATAN HATH KEPT BOUND, THESE EIGHTEEN YEARS, BE LOOSED FROM THIS BONDAGE?”       Luke 13:16

  

Growing In Christ,

Jennifer

 

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DIAGNOSIS: ATAXIA

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Jennifer Kay Lewis

“And They Overcame Him By the Blood Of The Lamb and by the Word Of Their Testimony.”     Rev. 12:11

After much thoughtful prayer and encouragement from a close friend, and a woman of God, I have decided to share my personal walk with this man-made ‘diagnosis’ of Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia.  I would like to educate my readers about a disease that I have progressively walked with for years.

“Who are You?”  You are a Child Of God.  So am I!  Therefore, with a huge ‘leap of faith’ I would like to share my personal chronicles and provide a ‘testimony’ so that maybe I can help inform, encourage and inspire another.

“Perhaps the biggest problem with this disease is that it can so easily be misdiagnosed. A vitamin B deficiency, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease could be given as a wrong diagnosis.”                                 http://spinocerebellarataxia.org/spinocerebellar-degeneration.com.

Personally, I was diagnosed in 2004.  Doctors have informed me “we do not know the exact ‘type’ of Ataxia you have.  This SCA, affects my ‘balance’, walking, muscles, nerves, and has gradually weakened fine motor skills. Image result for only 10% of people know about ataxia imagesIn 1998, my first journey led me to Mayo’s in Rochester, MN.  Doctors ordered an MRI, performed an uncomfortable lumbar puncture, and evaluated countless blood-tests, hoping to define my symptoms.  The calendar counted days for about a year.  I went back to Mayo’s to be seen by a ‘team’ of specialists in the neurosciences.  (unfortunately, more scientific tests revealed no answer.)  Several more months passed before taking me to the next stop:    Washington Medical School/ Teaching University in St. Louis, MO.  The panel of doctors I saw there are among the best in the nation.  (Another MRI and numerous blood tests were all negative for suspected MS and Parkinson diseases).  Yet, another year came and went.   I ventured to UCLA in Los Angeles, CA.  (their 290 research centers are well-renowned).  After extensive aggressive tests, they eliminated many supposed diseases and disorders.  Finally, in 2004, my last effort proved successful.  The University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA would provide an answer.  Specialists  in Neurology there performed a battery of comprehensive examinations including another lumbar puncture, an MRI, and many more blood tests.  They diagnosed me with Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia, (SCA).

“She is clothed with strength and dignity,  and she laughs without fear of the future.”                                                                                      Proverbs 31:25

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“Due to the fact that SCA sufferers know that this disease is not curable, it is important to show them utmost care. The discomforts and frustrations experienced by SCA sufferers are often extensive. Friends and family members must show their support at all times, helping the patient to live an as close to normal life as possible.” http://spinocerebellarataxia.org/spinocerebellar-degeneration.com

http://spinocerebellarataxia.org/spinocerebellar-degeneration.com

 

“Whenever you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure,  remember to whom you belong.”                                                                     Ephesians 2:19-22

My Prayer: “Father God, only you know my future.  In your eyes, my life is like a spectacular parade.  I can see only a block or two, however, you can see from the beginning to the end!”  Replace my unsettled thoughts with your solid words that “promise me a hope and a Prosperous Future” and offer your Blessed Assurance.                                                                 Let my life be a Rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”

“Each patient will soon learn their limitations. The important thing will be for friends and family members to help them to feel comfortable, cheerful and wanted. Unconditional love has always proven itself as a healer.”                             http://spinocerebellarataxia.org/spinocerebellar-degeneration.com

            “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.”  Esther 4:14

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Growing In Christ,

Jen

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