Consider it Pure Joy (Robin's Illness)
Due to recent family heath issues, I feel obligated to share some news with you. It was my desire to postpone this announcement until after further tests, however, I need prayer. The Bible says, “Share one another’s burdens.” It does not say to wait until you have all the facts and decisions made. So I am spilling out my family burdens here and requesting prayer.
The Bible also says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials..” This news may appear discouraging but God is doing a mighty work that we cannot see (for now).
I h ave been diagnosed with a cardiac/lung condition called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH or PH). It is chronic and incurable with an unpredictable survival rate. The cardiologist ordered several more tests.
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UPDATE July 6, Open Heart Surgery: Robin’s problems rapidly progressed and lead to more tests and hospitalization the first week of July. She had open heart surgery (coronary bypass graft) on July 6. She is now home recovering. She does not have Pulmonary Hypertension! It was a misdiagnoses. The real problem was a major blockage in her left coronary artery. She is expected to fully recover.
UPDATE July 21, Back in the Hospital: Complications developed and Robin was hospitalized again on July 21 and treated for fluid in her lungs, fluid in the heart lining and erratic heart problems. Read details here.
UPDATE July 24, Home Again: Complete bed rest ordered for 2-3 week. Read details here. Full recovery expected.
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I know God has a plan in this and I’m excited to see where this all leads. The Bible studies I have been in the last few months have been amazingly perfect for this type situation. It’s been as if God has been building my trust in Him for several months in order to trust Him in this weakness. I feel perfect peace. I feel blessed to have news that forces me to put priorities in order.
The most significant impact for me is my energy level, or lack of energy. We have to make several adjustments in our family and business schedules. Some days I can cook dinner, some days I can’t. Most days I try to cook sitting down. Walking across a room is exhausting. I clean my home and teach when I have a few minutes of energy. I’m unable to care for my horses. I can sit at a computer and write but not nearly as much as I have in the past. On a good day, I only take one nap. I can only compare it to the exhaustion you feel in early anemic pregnancy (with more shortness of breath) where you constantly crave sleep.
What About Heart of Wisdom?
God has provided! Heart of Wisdom has been in transition for many months Over the last year Ronnie (my husband) Peggy (my right hand person) and others have been diligently planning and working on ways for HOW to run without me (or at least a lot less of me). Praise God HOW is now at the point where administration is taken care of, orders are filled, etc. without much time from me.
Heart of Wisdom is (and I hope always will be) directly in God’s hands. You should not see any major changes, things will continue to run as they are now. I will continue to contribute to fulfill obligations , write the blog and answer emails. The new homeschool blogs, the new site, and the coming lesson bank are my ways to prepare homeschoolers to work together with less time from me.
I’m working on a new blog directed at teaching lesson planning (to teach you to fish, instead of giving you a fish). The lesson bank vision will help everyone who willing to contribute (with alternatives to those who cannot contribute). Watch my blog (or subscribe) for more on the lesson bank in the coming months.
This diagnosis viewed in perspective with my husband Ronnie’s second heart attack two months ago has forced us to put ourselves first in order to care for others. We both continue to receive on-going out-patient treatment to help manage our day-to-day activities. We too are continuing further tests to facilitate our medical diagnosis and prognosis. In short, we are both medically “booked” for next month. Please pray for wisdom and correct medical treatment for both of us. Pray for our for health and for the wisdom for the many, many decisions we need to make. Pray only God’s will be done.
I am spending a lot of time in prayer and Bible study requesting direction. I will continue work on my priorities in order: my spiritual walk, my husband, my children, my grandchildren, our family’s health and nutrition, and encouraging homeschoolers.
Rejoice with me, watch to see the work God is doing. I’ll post updates on this blog under Robin’s Health. Thank you for your prayers.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
-James 1:2-5
