This is an old post, a guest post that I wrote for a sweet friend Shannon from Rocks in my Dryer for her series entitles "What I'd Like You to Know". This entire series covers everything from bing a Single Adult, an American Mom Living Overseas to Living with Alzheimer's in the Family. I encourage everyone to go over and read these articles in her archives.
The link to them all is here. at the bottom of the page, you can finish the series by clicking "More Posts".
I hope this answers questions, encourage you if you or someone you know is living with Chroinc Illness. If you would like to contact me privately, simply send an email to jkbach(at)comcst.net. We are all in this thing together....
Tomorrow I embark on an adventure, a Hair Odyssey of sorts.
About 2.5 years ago, I started hemodialysis for 3 months and lost the majorit of my hair in that time. No bald spots, just handfuls and handfuls evenly in the shower or during brushing.
Many of you may remember how utterly devastated I was.
"I may be sick, but I will always have my hair!" had been my mantra from the beginning of Stage 4 Kidney failure. Within 90 days, my long, thick beautiful hair was thin, wiry and turning grey.
For all this time I have been praying it would grow back, refused to cut it at all, or to go short, determined no matter how much my family thought of my craziness. I believed it was coming back.
(Can I get an Amen?)
By now, my hair reached about the middle of my back and has not been colored in a year. (Yikes!) The salt and pepper has tried to take over, but some of the auburn has clung around.
I have tried everything on the market to bring it to health.
Even talk to it, like a plant.
Last night while John was on his way back from the other side of the mtns, I had about 7hours to myself Never a good thing. That tens to be when Mr. Impulsive comes to play? Anyone else know that feeling?
Well, I watched some youtube videos on Self Haircusts on Long Hair (I mean, who doesn't turn to youtube in moments like this, anyway), put my hair in two ponytails, and cut off about 3" on each side. Granted, it was supposed to be about 2", but one side was alittle shorter, then vice versa and ... well, you get the picture. We ended up at about 3-4" when all was said and done.
But, it was all the dead, frizzy stuff. And, it looks thicker, healthier.
Really.
Tomorrow I am starting on a regime of Wen Hair Care products. I have researched hair products. To. death. And so tomorrow we begin.
It feels like about 80% or so of my original thickness now. Not 100%, but considering I was at about 20%? I will gladly take 80%.
Now. I want healthy.
And I. have. haircolor. I am chomping at the bit to use it, let me tell you!
As my sweet friend Sophie would say, "My hair needs some spiritual healing! A ComeToJesusMoment!" And ladies, we all know that invoves L'oreal. The good stuff, right?
Being raised in Christian schcools, I became quite proficient at The Bible Drill- a fun exercise where the teacher stands in front of a group of eager beavers holding their Bibles up in the air. With no notice, a bible verse is yelled out, with everyone in the crowd frantically looking through their Bible then jumping to their feet and yelling it out.
I was the Bible Drill Queen. Competative, ruthless, unyielding.
But without the cool Scottish accent, of course ☺
In Jr. High, this gift metastisized into The Bible Bowl. Eight of us were placed on a two teams, then we answered questions from the Bible. After slamming our hhands down on a bell.
Like War. Only Biblical.
Our team became so proficient, that we were invited to the studios of TBN (think Paul and Jan Crouch, ohyessiree!) to be on their Satuday morning Bible Bowl competition.
We were thrilled.
Then? We were slaughtered.
It was a Holy War, to ut it mildly. The other team never gave us a chance.
But, it was 7th grade, and it was TV. Need I say more?
A few months ago, I received word from Grace Hill Media that Jeff Foxworthy, yes THAT Jeff Foxworthy, had signed on to do a new show called The American Bible Challenge.
The Bible Bowl is back. And better than ever.
About THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE
Thursdays at 8 pm ET/PT (premiere episode debuts on August 23, 2012)
Comedian and author Jeff Foxworthy hosts this studio-based game in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Utilizing current as well as historical references, questions will be drawn from the rich, dense narrative found in the world's best-selling book. The contestants will share their compelling back-stories and each team will be playing for a charitable organization. THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE is produced by RelativityREAL for GSN, with RelativityREAL’s Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) and Embassy Row’s Michael Davies ("The Newlywed Game," "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire") serving as Executive Producers on the project. Nick Stuart and Maura Dunbar of Odyssey Networks are Consulting Producers. Odyssey Networks is the country’s largest multi-faith coalition dedicated to producing and distributing media that creates understanding among people of different beliefs and perspectives. Jeff Foxworthy also serves as Producer with J.P. Williams and Jennifer Novak as Executive Producers.
So set your DVR, VCR or whathaveyou... But get ready to find out, are you really smarter than a ....?
The BIGGEST Biblical Epic since PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
Darren Aronofsky (Director of BLACK SWAN, THE WRESTLER, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) releases the epic Biblical tale of Noah and the ark. In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Ark to save creation from the coming flood. The screenplay was written by Aronofsky and Ari Handel and revised by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter John Logan (GLADIATOR, HUGO).
The Current Cast Includes:
Noah..…………………… Russell Crowe
Naameh…………..……..Jennifer Connelly
Methusaleh……………Anthony Hopkins
Ila…………..……………..Emma Watson
Ham………………………Logan Lerman
Shem……………………..Douglas Booth
Discussion:
It is interesting how major Hollywood directors and networks are now turning their focus to The Bible and what that impact could be on mainstream culture and life.
Jonathan went out and bought The Passon of the Christ last night on our way home from UofO. He did see it in theaters when it first came out, and I think he was maybe 12. John, my dad, Jonathan and I went to see it together since mom had no desire to see it (she abhors violence, no matter the reason) and Kati stayed home with her. Jonathan says it was 'really gory', but 'cool when the Devil came to see Jesus'. After watching it again last night, as an adult, he thought that 'it was still gory, but Hollywood-ized". He thought that several partso f the move, such as the scenes with the Jewish mobs, Pontious Pilate and how the Romans planned to bring down Jesus were pretty "how it could have been", but htat parts of it were rather if-yy from the Biblical standpoint.
The question I have is two part, and is this:
1) Do you think that Hollywood has the nerve, or the ablity (call it what you may) to stick as close to the storyline as possible....
2) Do you think that overall "Today's Christian" will care if they do/don't and...
3) (Think of this as Extra Credit) Do you think they will simply be glad tehat anything is even out there, no matter how much it does/does not resemble the story 'as we know it'...
Please. This is an open discussion with no boundaries. I simply ask that if an opinion is expressed that you disagree with, keep it civil.
First published in 2007, here is a tribute to the legacy left by an amazing man ~ my daddy.
Albert Moses (AM) Rush
Born to Earth ~ September 1, 1926
Released to Heaven ~ August 22, 2005
Daddy had his Homecoming 4 months after his diagnosis of multiple myeloma cancer.
This is his legacy ...
1926. He was born in Alexandria, Louisiana to a Jewish father and Gentile mother, that would both die within 6 months of each other when he was 11. Raised by his grandparents on the bayous, he was a hell-raiin' teen who once joined the sons of the sheriff, the mayor and a few other dignitaries in shootin' out the streetlights of town. Eventually, he was sent to military academy in Lexington, TN - and would go on to teach flying to those in the Army Air Corp at 16. His first love was flying, having soloed in 1935, at the age of 9. Without his parents approval.
Around 18, he fell in love, got married, having two great kids- Randy and Robin. Years later, his business and marriage failing and without hope, he put a gun to his head in despair and pulled the trigger. The gun didn't fire, and he decided to give God a chance - knowing that he could always try suicide again if God wasn't real.
God was real, and his marriage ended when he proclaimed his salvation. His wife left him and gained custody of the kids, but he continued on in the walk that was before him. His heart ached every day after that for the loss that he had in not been able to be there for his kids -- and he talked of it right to the very end. He regretted not fighting for them harder, but in the day, fathers did not have the opportunities that exist now in those situations.
Randy would pass away at the age of 19, and Robin would eventually stop contact with him as well, shortly after his first grandchild, Candace, was born. At the very end, he still spoke of his love for them, how he missed them, and how his heart ached not knowing if they had truly made a commitment to turn their lives over to God.
Eventually, he remarried and I was born. Dad spent his life populating heaven, whether by bringing hitchhikers home, praying over everyone including the witches, mediums and movie stars he encountered at his job every day in L.A., he worked with the Hollywood Christian Group, leaving gospel tracks at every place he ever stopped, leading Bible studies in homes, talking to people on the street, doing baptisms in a friend's backyard pool. Mainly, he did much by simply living his life as an example of what God can do to a man who trusts Him.
My dad was funny, loving and my best friend. He was someone who was knocked around in his personal life, but trusted God that it was all in the plan. He loved his kids, my mom and life. He taught me WWII songs in the car, played a bloody game of gin rummy, knew card tricks and doted on his grandkids. He told really bad jokes, thought he was hilarious and was the most non-attention seeking person I've ever met. He loved fully, without question and forgave you. He accepted John into our family and loved him like John's own father never had. John adored and respected him like no other and was devastated when both his dad and mine passed within months of each other.
No one that came in contact with Daddy was untouched by him. No one.
When he was diagnosed, we thought nothing of packing up and moving back to Oregon to help take care of him. He chose not to fight the disease. It was too progressed, and would have gained him time, but not a cure and no quality of life. He told me that God had finished what He needed him to do, and it was time.
We spent from May through August with him, at home, and reveled in taking care of him. He and I had late, late night talks every night up until the last month or so. Sometimes, he was coherent, sometimes we talked about what was going on in his mind. One time, he thought we sold fish. So we had a rollicking good time talking about how the fish business was going that day. Good times :)
After he died, we heard so much about the man he was -- more so sometimes that I think I knew. Right to the end, he made sure he was still touching lives, standing in the gap. He sat my kids down, who were 11 and 12, and told them about what Revelation says will happen soon and what they need to watch for, pray for and be prepared for. He prayed over them and loved them with every fiber of his being.
He made sure that my mom had something to remember him by at her birthday and their anniversary, since this would be last ones right before he died. He planned to have them renew their wedding vows, something he never wanted to do and fought against for years, but he knew it would mean so much to my mom. So, he did it.
I will be taking a bit of a break on the blog. Jonathan will be leaving for college in September, and I want to take advantage of every single minute that I have with him before things change forever.
See y'all in abit.
The archives will remain open for your viewing pleasure ☻
Because I am determined that I should have been born a hundred years ago in a small village in England, and the fun part? So does my son ...
I have recorded anything and everything Diamond Jubilee related thiese past weeks. For those of you that been away in Borneo or under a rock, the Queen of England is celebrating her 60th year on the Throne). Kindof totally cool.
I recorded the record-breaking 1000+ boat Regata/Pagaent (cinse it started at 4am here locally), and thanks to some lousy rainstorm overhead, our DishNetwork recording was 5 full hours of pixeled fun.
Hip Hip Hooray!
So, tonightwas the delayed broadcast of the Concert for the Queen, held at / on Buckingham Palace.
Here are some thoughts from the broadcast (ad let me say that there are several youtube-worthy moments to go check out):
Sir Tom Jones Sounds EXACTLY as he did my entire life. And I mean, he. sounded. GREAT!
Sir Elton? Yeah, Not so much. However, it was a kick to see all the Royal cousins singing along to Crocodile Rock and just having the time of their lives!
And lastly, (and I realize this is more than a couple), did anyone else think that, by the time Sir Elton was done with the Crocodile Rock he would be face-planted down in center stage? The poor guy... he is getting old.
Sir Tom Jones? Yeah, not so much. he still looks / sounds yummy ☻
(On a side note, we did blast the Croc Rock in the LR, and both Kati and I were dancing and singing along at the top of our lungs).
Is Steve Wonder not the HAPPIEST performer E.V.E.R.
He always ings with such joy and lack of abandon. He makes me want to just laugh out loud.
Which I did. All alone in my little house after everyone left...
And yes Stevie. She is lovely.
(Warning: youtube-worthy moment ahead)
And lastly, (I hope) from the Concert for the Queen...
About Madness and their huge mega-hit "Our House" from the roof of Buckingham Palace (yep, you heard me- they are On. The. Roof)-
my hat is off to whomever did the graphic overlays on the front of the Palace. I was looking away when the facade of Buckingham Palace fell off, and I had to rewind and watch it again. Like 13 times ...
And then? it happened again and again with different street scenes from around England overlaid on the face of the Palace.
(And not a single thing about the "d" word - you kniw, dialysis). This has been composed over the course of the week, and on FB, but I thought I would throw it all together here in a big ol'mish mash...
First off:
Busy week this week, what with Jonathan determined to graduate and all. Sheesh.
Tomorrow night - final Choir concert of the year. Of his high school career. Never more. Nope. Not again. Ever.
As my dear friend DeeDee would say, "Hold me."
Then, there is the Senior Awards Night Friday. They called us to tell us that he has won yet another scholarship. And to keep it a secret. Like, do not tell Jonathan. The problem with that? They called HIS phone and left the super-secret message.
Ba-da-dum.
So, as long as he does not talk to himself before Friday? They secret about the new scholarship award is super-safe.
Then, Graduation is Saturday.
May we not even go there yet? My denial about the whole things is firmly implanted, and before Friday he will be back in my arms, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Or something like that.
So, what does YOUR week look like?
And then, Thursday came along ....
Jonathan had his last Choir concert of the year tonight, and he got the "Senior Male Backbone of the Choir" or such award for regular Choir and ...
he then got a Jazz award in the Vocal Jazz Choir (who sounded absolutely amazing, I may see) and ....
was the only one at all to win an award in BOTH choirs ☻ ♥
SO PROUD! of my baby boy!!!!
Cannot WAIT until Friday, and the Senior Class Awards Assembly.
1) John thinks my dialysis access in my arm is infected, so no dialysis today. Have to go have it checked
tomorrow. If "yes", it means 3 weeks of dialyzing "In Center"- where it is understaffed and every
treatment feels like taking a risk with your life. I cannot communicate the Sheer Terror this pus in me.
PLEASE pray that John is wrong. (I cannot see any signs of infection, but we cannot risk it).
2) I had to tell Cedars that I am in no place psychologically to be "active" on the Transplant List. Y'al
l know I have been fighting with myself for awhile on this, but it came time to tell them. I was dead
honest, and was told that the Dr feels he is "uncomfortable with me as a patient right now" and that I
am now Status 7 (On Hold Nationally).
I took a huge risk telling them what I did, but felt I had to. I was being told about the "400 patients that
want a place in the 6 clinic appts we have available for the next month", and in good faith could not
take up another one from someone ready to go.
Most likely, we will be moving to a Paired Exchange unit anyway, but my fear that the notes of this
conversation and the things said will be put in my 'permanent file' terrifies me.
How will another unit look at me after seeing my Cedars file? Will another unit take me when I am
ready? The questions are weighing heavily right now.
I could sure use some prayer and support. I am really conflicted right now.
Well, that is the latest.
Kelli
PS: Most updates are now handled through a Facebook page called "Operation Find a Kidney for Kelli". Feel free to request membership in the group. All are welcome.
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