myasperations 9-30-25

     I love my blogging friends! Thanks to those who have reached out to me with concern, because these last few weeks, I’ve neglected my blog much longer than ever before. Sadly, my sweet hubby of 48 years is in the final stage of MS, and we fear that this devastating disease is moving toward its endgame. I don’t know how much longer he’ll be here, so spending time with him is becoming increasingly important. As the holidays grow near, I want to focus on spending as much time with Rich as possible.

    So, here is my plan- I am making a few posts today to share some cards I created a few weeks ago for a few current challenges.

    Then, in the coming months, I plan to continue in my DT responsibilities for the All Dressed Up and Path of Positivity challenges as long as I can. Other than that, entering challenges or posting to my blog will be on an occasional basis. So, I hope to see you from time to time!  

    Stop back soon for todays posts! 

  PS My guy, Rich, is one of the smartest, bravest, and kindest people I’ve ever known. I have posted about him a few times over the years. However, if you’d like to learn more about him and our unusual life journey, please read on…

   Rich has been my hero for over 50 years, and my life is richly blessed because he’s in it! After Rich graduated from medical school in the early 1980s with high honors, his future looked bright. (Or, should I say “our” future, since I wouldn’t wish the struggle called medical school and residency on any young couple!) Then, a few years into his career in Internal Medicine, he was struck with an illness that no one could accurately diagnose. After visiting many specialists, Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, told us that Rich had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). He was told that he just needed to “get some rest.” At that time, he was in his final year of residency and working 100-120 hours per week… so the hospital where he worked wasn’t very helpful in allowing him time to “rest”! We also quickly learned that, in the 80s, CFS was the “go-to diagnosis” when no other reason could be found for the extreme fatigue and bouts of mental fog and confusion he suffered. As a result, the medical community did not offer much support, and some even doubted that the symptoms were real. For Rich… CFS symptoms were VERY real. His constant fatigue, bouts of mental fog, and confusion impacted his life so deeply that he feared he might make a mistake with a diagnosis, which could lead to a patient’s death. Because of this, he closed his practice. He was a licensed Pharmacist before going to med school, so he tried working part-time at a local hospital pharmacy. However, his symptoms quickly escalated, so he resigned. In 1987, we discussed options and decided that he would be the house husband while I continued in the work world. It wasn’t until he suffered a stroke, 22 years later, that we learned that he has MS. Finally, we had a reason for the struggles. But sadly, since he was 25 years into the disease, the damage to his brain was too far along for him to be able to benefit from any of the treatments that would have helped him through earlier stages of the devastation. You would think he would feel bitter and defeated. He was relieved to have a diagnosis. And although his prognosis is no different, he is one of the most positive and funny people that I know. Plus, his faith is amazing! I have not met anyone who faces life with such peace and hope. He uses the amazing brain God gave him to study the Bible, even learning Greek and Hebrew to help in this task! And he does an excellent job of taking care of the house, me… and several beloved dogs we’ve raised over the years.

    As the disease continues to progress at a devastating rate, Rich and I are thankful for God’s grace. We both sense that the end of his struggle is growing ever closer; in spite of what we see or feel, we both know that our God is right here with us… supporting us through the pain and fear. It is not easy, but during the difficult decades, Rich and I have grown closer than I ever imagined. To each other… and to our God! Amen and Amen!

Entered into:  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Sept)