Desire for Discussion

So recently I found this series on Netflix called Three Rivers.  I implore you to watch it so you can get a better understanding of the whole process that goes along with Transplants.  Of course it is a bit sensationalized for TV Drama sake but there are some really great topics addressed and some pretty tough subjects challenged.  So episode 7 really got me to thinking and I am hoping some of you will join in a discussion with me.  The character Jeff has ALS Lou Gherric's Disease and his quality of life has been severely hindered so he decides he wants to come off the ventilator  and donate all of his organs.  Should this be allowed, how ethical is it and who should be the judge of if this is right or wrong.  This was Jeff's choice and it made sense to him.  If death always wins, it's only a matter of when and how, quality of life is vastly important.  Some of us want to have the best death that we can possibly have and we want to be at peace.  Jeff's death would serve the greater good, 7 lives would be saved by his death.   There was another young man who needed a second heart transplant and although his parents wanted him to continue to fight he wanted to let nature take it's course.  He ended up getting a second transplant but his body immediately rejected the new heart and he died in surgery. Another young man named Kual from Africa keeps getting denied and then moves a step closer then two steps back and then back to square one and just like me he has no insurance.  His temperament is amazingly positive throughout but his story always makes me cry.  So I am asking you to share your thoughts and encourage you to watch the series and join in a dialogue with me about some of these deep theological issues.  Have a great week and see many of you on Wednesday!  

Ad Dolor or in English a Return to Pain

Before you get too worried though this is a good return to pain if there is such a thing.  Day one of returning to pain meant heading up to the YMCA with Kris and Kevin for an awesome but painful workout.  15 minutes on the elliptical and 5 minutes was all I could handle on the stair climber and then 20 minutes on the treadmill just mindlessly putting one foot in front of the other.  Quick break a Glucerna shake to moderate the blood sugars and then ten laps in the pool, ten minutes in the hot tub and five minutes in the sauna.  Wow! I am truly exhausted and just think we get to do it again tomorrow and the next day and the next and you get the point.  The second hospital stay in less than six months has most definitely given me a scare and a desire to kick it into high gear so hear we go again.  At least I didn't gain back all the weight but now I am back up over 300 pounds once again and fighting for my right to be eligible for the transplant list.  A friend recently gave me a scripture which has truly been inspiring me and I want to share it.  II Cor 4:8-10,16 " We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not destroyed.  We always carry around our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body...therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." As a chronically ill person I am constantly reminded that my physical body is weak and wasting but that if I keep up the faith and have good courage my inward spirit can still soar like an eagle and I am so grateful for that.  We are all somehow hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and can feel crushed by grief, loss and despair but if we choose not to ruminate in that too long but as quickly as possible find other avenues for our frustrations then we can live a healthy and full life, rich with faith and strength.  Good day to you all and hope to chat again soon...:)