GOOD PEOPLE-4

The first time I worked with Nathan and Bonnie Thom was an amazing (and intimidating) experience for me.

They are exceptional music leaders for our church who completely grasp the concept of "Majestic Worship".

Anyway, they were filling in for our (then) music leader, and I was there with a Vegas professional bassist (Rennie), Nathan Thom (former employee of Capitol records) and Bonnie Thom (keyboardist, exceptional pianist and vocalist).

At the end of the 2 1/2 rehearsal, I remember saying to them "You guys really work hard!".

Of course it was true, and of course, I had no idea just how hard. They have a family , full time jobs and lead all the music in our church.

If that were the end of the grace that flows through them, that would be enough. Bonnie, after receiving an email from me, called immediately to resolve an issue I had involving my own absence in the music program (precipitated mostly by Bonnie and Nathan's predecessor).

She listened, she offered. She included me.

Later, when I sang a solo in church, Nathan worked and worked on the sound with me until it was "right"..."really right".

I can't begin to explain how blessed Walt and I have felt , Sunday, after Sunday, when they have been there, to lift our spirits. I'm sick, somehow Bonnie has chosen "This is the air I breathe", just the praise I need to bring me beyond the smallness of my problems to the greatness of God.

 I'm low energy, the praise band is spilling out the windows with "Yes, LORD, "Yes, LORD, Yes, Yes LORD, AMEN!".

 I'm feeling nostalgic , and somehow, Nathan is ripping on "Jesus is the Rock that Rolled my blues away".

 The ribbons of talent run through their family, truely, like the blood of Christ himself.

 A son that plays base, and a daughter, who's voice rivals Celine Dion, God has been blessing and blessing us with their presence through this last year.

Through some difficulties in their lives, Walt and I have been touched to be "touch-stones" for them in prayer.

Unfortunately, they are going through despairing times now, and I have been consumed by my own illness.

 I'm reminded of something someone told me (I don't remember who, or when) sometimes you don't have to stand tall. Sometimes, you just have to stand UP.

I'm remembering for them, that Christ is still on the thrown. I'm remembering for them God's unchanging hand (and ours) is extended to them.

I'm believing and complete and utter victory for them.

The trials of Job did not last forever.

Neither will this.

In Walt and my heart, our souls and our perception,

Nathan and Bonnie

you are good people.

Until Next time,

Eat something wonderful

and live a life worth loving.

GOOD PEOPLE-3   

I'm beginning this blog with a statement about myself that might be surprising to some of the professionals and my friends, who know how involved I've been in the medical community (of late). Until recently, I truly haven't had much confidence in conventional medicine.

Hardly a stunning revelation coming from someone who was (in early life) a vegetarian, then for 6 months a fruitarian. I've worked in a health-food store, and I still have an acupuncturist/Chinese medicine practitioner that I see.

 Inundated by the non-conventional health community with the evils of "hybriding corn-seed" , the evils of inoculations, and the terror stories of antibiotics and steroids in mainline store meats, I was a convert.

 Even, as I have aged (not so gracefully) my suspicion about the AMA-approved medical community has maintained steadfast.

   Because I have had an illness treated by standard methods (type 2 diabetes), our insurance dictated a process, that I knuckled down and acceded to.

I learned that some Primary Care Practitioners (as least ONE that I can think of) don't like practicing medicine very much...or maybe he just doesn't like patients...or maybe he just didn't like me. It matters little, a string of PCP's had me thinking that they were a necessary evil to the insurance process (what I've come to think are the real culprits in the healing system, imho).

 For some time I've had the same Primary Care Physician, going in, on the pre-required intervals.

Dr. Ruberte' would come in with his computer, ask me questions (including what prescriptions I needed) and zoom out of the room. It was a bit like a medical hit and run. Although, I kind of liked that, because I seemed to have the same attitude he did. Lets get this done and move on.

We went along like that until this February, when , on my regularly scheduled appointment, I arrived in his office with bronchitis. He listened to my lungs, diligently, ordered some antibiotics and said "if you're not doing better soon, don't wait, call in".

Actually , as it happens, about three days later (2:00 am) found my husband taking me to the Er, for shortness of breath. They infused me with elixers and sent me home. My follow up was ok, but Dr. Ruberte, looked at me bewildered and said "what the heck happened?".

A week (nearly) later, I'm admitted to the hospital through the ER. Every morning, Dr. Ruberte' came in with energy, and enthusiasm. So intent on finding out what was wrong with me.

The X-ray's a-typical for pneumonia, he's a bit confused but "we're going to find out what it is".

He calls in specialist, and each morning explaining what's going on and saying "we're going to figure this out. We're going to get well."

After my release from the hospital, my recovery has (obviously) not been stellar. I visited Dr. Ruberte again. He patiently explained the difficulties of prednisone. When I mentioned my pulse ox, he immediately brought in (two) monitors, called my pulmonologist, and had me on oxygen (I had requested oxygen from my home care organization after hospital visit, and was told my vitals were "too good" for the oxygen).

After this visit, I asked if I could say something to Dr. Ruberte' from my heart.

He said "Sure" and looked up from his computer.

I told him "From February, when I came in with bronchitus, ALL you and your staff have done is try to make me well. I appreciate that more than you know."

He stopped for a beat and searched my face.

 "That's what we do here, Kimberly. We make people well."

I have to say, even though it's been a rough several months,

Dr. Ruberte' is starting to make me a believer.

In my eyes, he is Good People.

Until Next time,

Eat something wonderful

and live a life worth loving.

Good People-2

"Sometimes you have to be laying on your back, to actually look up"

I've said it to some of my sick friends and clients time and time again.

Never really expecting it to apply to me. However yesterday, I learned

another lesson. Sometimes you have to be sitting still to receive a blessing.

Sometimes, all you have to do is answer the phone.

   Regressing for one moment, allow me to offer a bit personal history.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1998. I was grossly overweight,

and not taking care of myself.

  Over the years I've had a couple of endocrinologists, all well-meaning and offering me lots of council and loads of "tough love". "Your sugars are out of control" I remember one plainly speaking to me. He was right. All I felt was panic and hopelessness.

One was very kind but a bit nebulous "Yeah this is high, but could be this, and sinusitis and..." She was helpful when I needed to change meds and a good doctor.

But once in a while, one is lucky enough to find a true healer.

   As I mentioned, I've been suffering with a-typical pneumonia, for two months and this week it was time for my regular appointment with my endocrinologist.

There is something about her that , when I started going to her, made me believe I could actually get better. Before this illness, my A1C had gone down 4 points. I was walking, I was giving up other self-defeating behaviors. I started taking my blood sugar two and three times a day. I had guidance on using straight insulin (giving up the silly stigma that "if I'm on pills, it's not really diabetes"). She believed I could get well too, which

was a revelation to me.

However, I couldn't attend my appointment with her. My diligent husband (computer geek that he is) keeps my blood sugar readings, I'm sure they're on some sort of spread sheet, I haven't had the courage to ask. . He (as he always does when it's time for my appointment) sent Dr. Solitos my blood sugar readings, along  with the information that my pulmonologist had just prescribed prednisone. The nurse at the pulminologist (Annette) had warned me that my blood sugars would get high because of the steroids.

  To my surprise, I'm sitting on my futon when my phone rings. My illness dictates I answer all phone calls coming from "Health First", and when I did, it was my endocrinologist, Dr. Solitos.

I asked how she was, she said fine, and then opened with "I'm so very very sorry you''ve been so sick, for so long."  We talked a bit about the history of the illness, and my plan to deal with the high sugars which will ensue due to the prednisone. I told her the date of my biopsy.

She said "I'm so worried about you.". It touched me. I said "Don't worry. I have the best team." She sounded confused, and said "The best team?" . I said "yeah, I even have an endocrinologist who calls me on off office hours just to see how I am." She laughed kindly and said "I will be praying for you, on the 18th, Kim."

With tears in my eyes, I thanked her.

In my mind and my heart,

this extra mile, which was a short phone call,

makes Dr. Solitos Good people.

Until next time,

Eat something wonderful

and live a life worth loving.  

GOOD PEOPLE

Being ill and (mostly) house-bound for the last two months has given me (WAY too much) time to reflect.

So I've decided to devote my space on facebook/blog to GOOD PEOPLE which I have encountered during this very trying time.

The first Good Person I want explore is a man named Walter Willis.

During the best of times, I am a trial for the will. My emotions are passionate, fierce and

unrelenting. Yet, my beloved Walt perseveres. I don't know how, and I confess I'm vexxed sometimes as to why.

When my father passed , he was there, dealing with all of the minutia my brain could not contain. Shortly after my mother became ill and eventually moved in with us.

He never asked "why". He never said "No". Countless hours on the phone trying to get her finances in order, spelling me, when my mother was bed-ridden, and there with me on July 4, when there were no hospice helpers to be had, and my mother passed away.

I've been sick for two months and, the illness is serious and the consequences and finances catastrophic.

Each day he comes home (most times with a new prescription for me). He tells me how loved I am by other people. He tells me he's praying for me. He tells me I'm going to get well, and he forces me to eat dinner.

At 2:00 am when I'm coughing so hard and painfully I cannot breathe, he's up, with a cold compress for my neck, medication for the spasm, and soothing words.

In my perspective, that makes him a Good Man.

Most likely, one of the best.

Thank you , God for bringing Walt into my life,

and giving him the patience to stay.