Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

August 16, 2007

Publishers Favourite Sites:

Rosanne Catalano

http://www.rosannecatalano.net/

Michael Smith

http://subs.zinester.com/86758/

Barbara Weymouth

penwormprayerwarriors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Helen Dowd

www.occupytillicome.com

Today’s Announcements

We have a new writer with us today. April Lipscomb becomes the 423rd writer to honour us with her stories.  Please email her and welcome her to our Storytime family.

Attention:  Special prayers are needed for a reader of Storytime Tapestry Vantrice Burkes, her grandchild died and her family is in need of healing.  Please send her your prayers and sympathy cards at: vantrice@zianet.com    Tennie Winter writes:  Carol, do you remember my telling you about Vantrice Burkes being my cousin? She responds to some of the stories on Tapestry.   Her 23 year old granddaughter died from an allergic reaction
to some medicine.  Please ask your readers to pray for this family.  
Vantrice's sister, June Johnson, recently  has been diagnosed with Lou
Gehrig's disease.

Donations are always needed to help with the operating expenses of running the newsletter and to keep Storytime Tapestry the quality newsletter you are so accustomed to.   

Please note that Storytime Tapestry is a free newsletter to members and there will never be a cost for the newsletter. Donations are purely voluntary and no member should ever feel guilty for not making a donation at this time.

Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 I'VE GOT THE POWER-LIVING WITH THREE AUTO IMMUNE DISEASES

April Lipscomb

As many of you know I have just recently been diagnosed with RA rheumatoid arthritis, on the same day I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I had been living with Psoriatic arthritis for years and it has not been a pleasant experience. Psoriatic came into my life like an uninvited guest and plopped it's behind down on my favorite chair, refusing to move. Like a guest that simply refuses to take every hint you given him to leave and becomes a real pain in the ..... But unlike the ill-mannered guest that eventually goes home, psoriatic had moved in and would never leave. Honestly I haven't taken very good care of myself, I wasn't paying attention, I had left the door wide open. I relied on the meds and thought it would all be okay. I was wrong.

I didn't cause RA and like psoriatic I didn't invite it to reside in my body, but regardless it has moved in permanently but RA brought a friend, fibromyalgia. I was overwhelmed after hearing the test results. Oh, who am I kidding? I was devastated. See what some don't realize is two of these diseases are killers. They quietly move in, settle down and convince your immune system that you are the enemy. A war ensues and while you're going about you normal day and living you normal life there is a war going on inside your body. Your organs are under attack which can lead to the complete failure of any of them. Your eyes are attacked which can lead to blindness. You can become crippled forever, from your little fingers all the way to your little toes. The results of this war allowed to go on with out diplomatic interception are deadly. For me the time for diplomacy had passed. It was war.

I have been Ill for seven months. I wasn't very public with much of what was going on except the unrelenting back pain that I was convinced would be the final step before I would have to climb back in that big ole power chair I have stored in the back room. The one that mocked me every time I glanced in its direction simply by just being in my house and my life. The one that did the work my legs were unable to do three years ago. I could almost write the future, I was headed for the chair.

My symptoms went far beyond the pain and affected every part of my everyday life. Once hyper-active by nature, I was now tired all the time. See, I have always had this attitude about my illness. If I stayed busy it would never catch me. If I didn't mind it didn't matter. For years this is how I treated my body. I took the meds and kept going. This past year changed everything and I could feel my life slipping away. I knew, I knew in my gut something more was wrong. My poor husband said "Honey, I saw the change, it was like someone turned off the light within you." well, it wasn't someone, it was something. If there is any human to be held accountable it is me, for disregarding the signs. This all began three weeks after my wedding day and although my husband never admitted it was affecting him, I knew it was. But I was powerless to do anything about it. I cry now as I write this remembering what it's been like for my poor husband and my inability to effect any change in our lives. My husband is a long haul truck driver. In the beginning I could fake good health over the phone and put on a good act when he came home for his thirty-six hour weekend. After these weekends of deception; it took all week for me to recover enough to make my next weekend performance. I should have got an Emmy. Finally, I couldn't keep up the act and it was then my husband stepped in and "we" started discussing options and my treatments and the care I was receiving. He took an active role in the decision making. It wasn't that I wasn't capable of this alone, I was simply exhausted and overwhelmed and more than a little depressed at this point.  I had been replaced by us. At this point I was receiving injections in my spine that were horrific. I lay on the table crying, praying and sometimes screaming as these were administered. The effects of these were three days of unbearable pain followed by four more days of unbearable pain. In short, I was getting worse.

Then a wonderful gentleman in a white coat, my new rheumatologist ran a multitude of tests and gave me a real diagnosis. After hearing the truth of my illness I spiraled deeper into the great black abyss of depression and did something I had often heard of but had never experienced. I wallowed. I wallowed in the depths of self pity. I ranted against my body. I had been betrayed. I was grief stricken, angry and filled with self hatred. Now that’s healthy. The next week I got really MAD, not just angry but MAD. I got fighting MAD. Thank God!

I got online and I researched everything my little fingers could access via the net. I got information and I decided I had a life worth fighting for. If RA had it sights set on me, if RA was out to ruin my life, it was in for a hell of a fight. I declared war, not on my body but this egocentric disease that moved into my house, my temple, my body and sought destruction. It was on!!!!

I read there is a link between diet and RA. Research has indicated there may be something to the consumption of milk and milk by products, flour and wheat glutton that inhibits the immune system while under attack from RA. I changed my diet. I shared what I had learned with my husband. We were a team now. He likes to cook for me when he's home. My husband hit the grocery aisles in search of replacements. He found soy milk, soy cheese, rice flour. We started spending a lot of time in the produce area, picking out fresh veggies and fruits. He researched fish and mercury levels and what was good for me and what wasn't. He started reading vitamin bottles and herbal tea packages. If I was going to ride the train of change and good health, he was coming on board.

Smoking is bad, very bad even for healthy people but if you have three auto-immunes. Well, it's just slow suicide. I am still working on this issue and I am doing the best I can. That is the best I can do right now. Rome wasn't built in a day and I didn't start smoking yesterday.

Exercise; when your back is killing you exercise is not possible. It was all I could do to walk, to sit, to sleep. But with the new diagnosis came new medication and this medication has basically put my neurological system into a coma. The bad nerves have been knocked out; as a result I can move. I am now able to officially exercise everyday, including my mommy duties which as you moms know is a workout in itself.

I woke up this morning and realized I am in control. I have the power! I can choose to wallow in self pity or take action. I chose action!  Along with the other improvements I have added meditation. I have said goodbye to sodas, I have developed a new appreciation for life and a closer fellowship with my heavenly father. I have become more emphatic and more open about things that really bug me. I have learned to speak up when I have been hurt by someone for no reason. In short I am tougher, more understanding, more loving, more appreciative, more forth right.

Last night I took a stand against something that has been a burden on my heart. Though I felt a huge weight lift from me, I also feared repercussions. Today, I received many e-mails thanking me for my honesty, for taking a stand. I appreciate these more than I can express. It was then I started thinking about the journey I have taken over the past seven months, which led to a reflection of all the struggles I have endured. I survived!! Through the grace and magnificence of my holy father, I have survived. Suddenly everything that I had feared seemed so tiny, so insignificant. This is my life, I am not perfect, I am as God made me and he never intended for me to be perfect. When the past seven months of health problems, guilt over my inability to be a good wife, physical pain and often hopelessness are held up next to my fears, it is laughable in its unimportance. In closing all I can say is bring it on, I am not powerful alone, but my father is mighty, mighty! Life is more than just the act of breathing, it is what makes us.

I have the power! I have the power to make changes or lie down and die. I have the power to fight or lay down my sword. In a word,

CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April Lipscomb

Imladybug270@aol.com

~**~**~

Little Girl's House Guest

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

Yesterday, the preacher’s dog came over for a visit for the day. It seems preacher and his wife had to take a short trip. They be gone most of the day. They have a small Boston, about 4 months or so old. Still in the growing stages like children can be you know.

Little Girl thought it would be nice to have a little game.  Anyways she was over joyed for a bit.  Then she found out there was a problem. He didn't understand Chinese talk, or is that Peke talk? She tried all sorts of sign language, still nothing got through to him.

She took him in and showed him the food dishes, and the water bowls. He did understand that. Other wise he had no clue about how to play the games. I think now that was because she is all girl.  You know what I mean don't you?  Girls are real good at changing the rules in any game.

Well after about an hour, she more or less just gave up on the games and walked by me with that look on her face.; just another dumb poor guy.”  She headed for her place by an A/C vent and piles down. After a bit he gets up a little nerve and walks over to where she is taking a nap, must have woke her up, as I heard her say, "get lost boy."  He came running to me, with a normal beat down guy look.  I told him better just leave it alone, you don't understand women either, and besides you can't follow her rules on the game.

She did take him out in the yard a  couple times, pointed out the trees and the fire plug, she went back to her rest room.  Coming in I think I understood her to say, he got to get some school housin, what trees and fire plug needs.

Well things rolled along pretty good other wise, and he got picked up about 11 PM.  She went to the door, to make sure he was gone, came walking back in and checked the food dishes,  all was empty.  I got the look, don't they feed that guy? He woofed down every bite.  I told her well he is in training to be a preacher.  Preachers eat every thing in sight, sometimes has been known to even chew on a plain napkin, thinking there might be a small crumb on it.

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

My Home Sweet Home

Norma Liles

God doesn't make mistakes but I do wish he had brought the Ohio River a few more

Miles higher on the Ohio side.  I was born in southern Ohio where the lay of the land is rolling and has a lot of the attributes of the Great Smokie Mountains so therefore, there are some folks that will call our little part of the world, the Little Smokies; quite the tribute?

The view as you travel the hillsides to the valleys is a "sight for sore eyes;" another one of our sayings in our part of the world; the beauty of the farmlands; their crops waiting to be harvested, the wildflowers of every size and color.  We have many lakes; both natural as well as man made which draw the attention of swimmers as well as fishermen from here and there.

We are blessed with the settlements of our Amish neighbors who thrive on keeping their well kept farm buildings as well as their grounds.  They display their wares of fruits and vegetables in such a way as to draw the attention of any buyer who is looking for quality food and merchandise.

We are a community of God blessed peoples who revere the blessing which we have enjoyed plus we are thankful for all the surprises that God has afforded us with the love of country as well as the respect for our area as well as our neighbors within our boundaries.  We are a happy lot who are quick to answer the call of need of our friends in whatever situation arises.  We all believe strongly in the theory that we do not live on an island unto ourselves but are placed here to share each other's burdens and joys': a little nicer for the ride.

NormaLee Liles ©

Hoopla214@yahoo.com

Norma is an Ohio native, senior citizen; happy in her own skin, loves the Lord God Almighty, her family, her friends and her computer; pretty much in that order! Her hobbies include reading, writing poetry, stories, a few songs; loves to sing; and prefers southern gospel music. She is retired from the business world where she worked as a data entry operator/supv; is number nine of ten children; is looking fwd to her next birthday which will welcome #78. (Oct)

Her writings have been featured on: Starfish, Driftwood, Sandollar, Morning Spirit Lift, Prayer of God, Jan Karon, American Poetry Writer's League, Lucy's Inspiration, Faithful Hope reading room, Poetry of Today, Hope in Him, Bonnie's Place, America will remember, News Moose, Penworm Prayer Warriors, Angels on Earth, Canadian Memorial page, Eternal Ink, Heartcatcher, Penwormprayerwarriors, Starlite cafe and senior writer for Storytime_Tapestry.

Readers Feedback

Hi Carol – Rotten Tomatoes - What you expressed today in Carols corner is so true. I was a foreman in a welding shop that would hire extra people from Work Force. Many of them were living below the poverty level. I began talking to some and found that many were victims of circumstances beyond their control. Good hardworking folks.  I realized this could happen to any-

one. Many of us should take a second look and help whenever we can.

                          Conrad

                        cconseth@aol.com

Storytime Tapestry Angels

Angels on earth, they exist they are out there.  Angels come in all ages, shapes and sizes, civil status, and religion.  Their nature is love and their purpose is giving to the less fortunate of this world.  Storytime Tapestry angels are no exception.  These angels are loyal members who have contributed to the upkeep of Storytime Tapestry newsletter so that Storytime Tapestry can continue come to your email box 350 days of the year.

Here is our Storytime Tapestry Angels: Also, I would like to thank those of you who chose to be a silent angel and gave an anonymous donation to keep Storytime Tapestry up and running.

Clara Westerfer, Mark Crider, Rosanne Catalano, Paula Booher, Kay Seefeldt, Mariane Holbrook, Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker, Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley, Surinder Jandu, Bob Shaw, Carol Meeks, Charlotte Hilliard, Maria Keller