We
discovered the local medical board looked at the diagnosis on the record and, by
regs, Michael should face a medical board. Rather than send the records up the chain,
they decided to do a RILO (Retire in Lieu of).
Now
we have answers. Some humorous, some sad. All of it hard, I'm sure it will get
easier as we live with this reality a day at a time.
Concrete
changes - we hope the meds will help Michael feel better. Yesterday was a bad day...stiff, stumbling,
off balance and sort of "motion sick."
I
am probably going to have to learn how to pull a 31 foot, squirrely trailer -
Lord have MERCY.
My
eyes leak at odd times - because really no one envisions their golden years
with an incurable condition. And I am
not a care giver type - we have lots of jokes about THIS aspect of the whole
thing. I actually look forward to seeing the work God does in me through this.
We
had PLANNED to full time RV at about 70 - after missions. Our plan was to visit
our kids and bless them - to be the Happy Wanderers. This is a dream we've
had. Circumstances allow us to live this dream NOW-and we are determined to
live fully present. We ARE learning about the implications of this disease, but
we are striving for a balance of preparing for what may well come - and living
NOW - making good memories NOW. Some are
concerned we aren't facing the implications - we are. In the way that is best
for us. Some think we are too worried about Parkinson's and it's "not a big deal," again, we're dealing with this as we can. We know the impact it is having in OUR situation.
I
imagine there will be things said on the blog we will wish hadn't been shared.
I imagine there will be silent days and weeks as we work through a few issues
in private. Thank you for your care of us - simply pray and we'll share what we
can as we can.
This
has impacted our immediate ministry plans - but God KNOWS what is going on. He
is NOT surprised. There is a REASON He breathed a passion for the nation of
Japan into our spirits.
He
is GOOD.
All.the.time.