Dial 991!

I had mentioned in a previous post or two that I have an unusual health condition where I have syncopal attacks. They are not fun. I'm bending over in excruciating pain one minute and then I'm on the floor passed out. The doctors have absolutely no idea why this has happened to me for the past 18 years. When I research on the Internet, there are tons of folks with the same symptoms and they have all seen multiple doctors and there seems to be no treatment. God has been faithful and so far I have only had embarrassment, bumps, bruises, scrapes, and two hospital visits due to the fainting spells. 

Last night I could feel an episode coming. It happened to be when I was putting the boys down for bed. Ray was out of town, my boys were asking me to read a book and I was on the floor, in a fetal position, in extreme pain, shaking and drenched in sweat. I felt that it was going to be a "more serious" attack (I've learned to rate them over the years), so I asked Jared to grab the phone. I thought it might be a good time to ask him what he would do if he couldn't wake me up. He told me he'd call the police. I asked him how he would do that. What would he dial? He said, "Oh, I know. 991." Um... before I could answer I wondered what happened if you actually made that mistake. Would you just get a "this number is not available" recording? Surely there are other dyslexic folks out there who might dial it incorrectly, right? Okay. Maybe not. 

We went over it a couple times. Me: 911. Him: 9911. Me: 911. Him: 991. 

When there are 2 of the same numbers or letters in a word, he tends to get jumbled. He can spell bigger words, but don't ask him to spell "Bob". It'll start with an "O".

This conversation actually helped me calm my body down and not black out. Or, maybe it wasn't as big of an attack as I anticipated. Nevertheless, it made me wonder how I could get him to memorize that number. Have I mentioned that he doesn't have our phone number memorized? I've tried that one for years.

Me: Nine Eleven. Him: Nine Eleven. Me: Nine Eleven. Him: Nine Eleven.

Just when I think he's got it, he goes to the phone and says, "There's no eleven on here!"

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

2 1/2 Weeks Later

About 3 weeks ago, I was offered a job. I wasn't expecting it. It was so far off my radar that I was actually stunned when I heard the words. Here I am, working my butt off with cake/cookie orders to help pay for Jared's cognitive therapy, and a wonderful job falls into my lap. This job is far less hours than caking and the best part is, I was created to do it. It's my passion. I will continue my CakesAzucar business, but I am able to cut back on many, many orders because I'm now being paid as the Worship Leader for our church.

Our family is so excited about this opportunity! It's been a fun 3 weeks, figuring out the vision/future of the ministry and meeting with the pastor and worship team members. I now house a few instruments, music stands, amps, sound equipment, etc. and my spare time is spent scheduling and listening to potential songs in which to lead the congregation.  It's been great!

So, I'm finally catching up on blogging and reading some of the APD bloggers I follow. Well, guess what? April 4th is considered "APD Awareness Day". Three years ago the Minnesota governor declared a statewide APD Awareness Day. Even though it's unofficial, APD advocates have honored that date as International APD Awareness Day to "Break the Silence on this Silent Disorder". 

I missed it.

Next year, I hope I don't. I'd love to celebrate it with some cookie gifts, of course. I found the greatest picture for the cookies, too. Apdgirl created this rad photo:

“I have Auditory Processing Disorder. This is a picture of an ear with a question mark inside it. The colors on the right side represent sound in reality and the colors on the left side represent the sound through my ears. My ears and brain don’t connect right, so the things I hear sound broken and often don’t make sense. I can put bits and pieces together, but it’s hard to put it all together to make sense of everything that I hear.”

How cool is that??

Even though it's been a great 3 weeks, I'm kind of sad I missed the early April posts on APD. I love that folks are united in helping others become aware of this disorder!

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. Psalm 18:49 (NIV)