These last 7 months have been a roller coaster. I am not going to lie to you, there were days
that I left work or went bed with tears streaming down my face. Life really seemed to get worse daily for a while. Hit after hit – medically, emotionally and financially. I found myself asking God over and over again
“Why? Why can’t we just be normal for a little while? Can we have a break?”
Thankfully we found that break and I believe our almost new
normal. Having Jeremy have to make the
decision (life or death) to live with an ostomy bag for the rest of his life
was something I cannot quite explain.
July 2009 he was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and we knew that the
only CURE was to have his colon removed but at that time we both said HELL
no! Funny what 3 years will do to your
thoughts on what is really more important in life? Life without a bag = hospital stays, pain,
possible death. Life with a bag = REAL
LIFE. A husband that is present. A father that plays with his kiddos.
normal. Having Jeremy have to make the
decision (life or death) to live with an ostomy bag for the rest of his life
was something I cannot quite explain.
July 2009 he was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and we knew that the
only CURE was to have his colon removed but at that time we both said HELL
no! Funny what 3 years will do to your
thoughts on what is really more important in life? Life without a bag = hospital stays, pain,
possible death. Life with a bag = REAL
LIFE. A husband that is present. A father that plays with his kiddos.
I talked about the financial burden that this disease
ultimately left us with months ago. Even
with Jeremy and me sitting down and looking at our budget and bills we knew we
would never overcome this enormous and growing debt. We cut out the extras and made a huge goal of
cutting out eating out and committed to meal planning! And by the way we are
ROCKING that! We started asking for gift cards for any sort of holiday/birthday
so that we could treat ourselves when needed.
Love us some gift cards! We take advantage of specials at places Jude
loves to go so we can still live a life of fun with our children. Like we have stated before, Jeremy never
wanted to have this bag attached to him forever but he certainly did want to
live a life of fun and experiences with his family. We were happy with what we drew up and how we
were living but with Jeremy going to the doctor EVERY day still – it added up
to $250.00 worth of copays every week. That’s
$1000.00 a month!! We felt so defeated
but continued with our budget and goals.
Just doesn’t seem fair. We are
doing it “right” we have health insurance, good health insurance at that! So frustrating!
ultimately left us with months ago. Even
with Jeremy and me sitting down and looking at our budget and bills we knew we
would never overcome this enormous and growing debt. We cut out the extras and made a huge goal of
cutting out eating out and committed to meal planning! And by the way we are
ROCKING that! We started asking for gift cards for any sort of holiday/birthday
so that we could treat ourselves when needed.
Love us some gift cards! We take advantage of specials at places Jude
loves to go so we can still live a life of fun with our children. Like we have stated before, Jeremy never
wanted to have this bag attached to him forever but he certainly did want to
live a life of fun and experiences with his family. We were happy with what we drew up and how we
were living but with Jeremy going to the doctor EVERY day still – it added up
to $250.00 worth of copays every week. That’s
$1000.00 a month!! We felt so defeated
but continued with our budget and goals.
Just doesn’t seem fair. We are
doing it “right” we have health insurance, good health insurance at that! So frustrating!
Our church found this request for help and jumped on
it. They created an event for us and
wow, we are overwhelmed by the love we have received. The Board of Christian Care at church had a
Bake Sale for us. This wasn’t a normal
Bake Sale – it was a Bake Sale on steroids!!
HA!
it. They created an event for us and
wow, we are overwhelmed by the love we have received. The Board of Christian Care at church had a
Bake Sale for us. This wasn’t a normal
Bake Sale – it was a Bake Sale on steroids!!
HA!
There were nine 8 foot tables
in the gym of the school/church this weekend full of sweets, handmade items, savory
items and gift cards all for sale.
in the gym of the school/church this weekend full of sweets, handmade items, savory
items and gift cards all for sale.
All
the proceeds went to our medical bills.
The board was hoping for a profit of $1000.00 in order to get a matching
fund with Thrivent Financial Funds that would put us at $2000.00 off our
bills. They surpassed that goal and the
final number was $3500.00 raised with the additional $1000.00!!
the proceeds went to our medical bills.
The board was hoping for a profit of $1000.00 in order to get a matching
fund with Thrivent Financial Funds that would put us at $2000.00 off our
bills. They surpassed that goal and the
final number was $3500.00 raised with the additional $1000.00!!
$4,500.00
$4500.00 off of our growing debt!
Amazing. The Christian love was
shining bright at this Steroid Powered Bake Sale!! We cannot thank our Church family enough. I don’t think they will ever understand the
overwhelming feeling we both had when we heard what was done for us.
I often refer to Ulcerative Colitis as a silent
disease. It is one that no one thinks
of. It is one that no one jumps at when
you say you have it. It is one that
people shrug off. Some people even
belittle the major life changing surgery that is the ONLY cure for UC. I have had cancer run through my family – it is
devastating and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
But I have to ask – why do some people jump to offer help, money,
vacations, ect to those with Cancer but question our finances after Jeremy also
went through a life changing and life threatening disease?
disease. It is one that no one thinks
of. It is one that no one jumps at when
you say you have it. It is one that
people shrug off. Some people even
belittle the major life changing surgery that is the ONLY cure for UC. I have had cancer run through my family – it is
devastating and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
But I have to ask – why do some people jump to offer help, money,
vacations, ect to those with Cancer but question our finances after Jeremy also
went through a life changing and life threatening disease?
Right now I have found peace with what people think. There is only one person whose Judgment
matters. God has shown his love through
those that have been there for us emotional, spiritually and financially. The support that we have been given through
most of our family and friends is just plain amazing. I think this journey, even though it has been
extremely hard, has shown Jeremy and me a new outlook on life. Life is short; Life is a challenge but every
day we live to see love, that challenge is worth it.
matters. God has shown his love through
those that have been there for us emotional, spiritually and financially. The support that we have been given through
most of our family and friends is just plain amazing. I think this journey, even though it has been
extremely hard, has shown Jeremy and me a new outlook on life. Life is short; Life is a challenge but every
day we live to see love, that challenge is worth it.
Live life with no judgment friends – It isn’t worth your
time because life is too short.
time because life is too short.
Perfectly said.
<3