Three Little Words That Are Feared Most
There are three words in the English language that many people with Parkinson’s disease fear. Three little words. Three little words that can drive a person crazy. Three little words that can cause a person to feel desperate. Three little words that can destroy.
I don’t know.
How long have I had this disease? I don’t know.
How did I get this disease? I don’t know.
How long do I have to live? I don’t know.
Will my children get this? I don’t know.
Your doctor says it. You say it. You live it. You breathe it. You feel it.
You have an idea how things might and possibly will go, but you’re not sure because everyone wears PD differently. One person can have it three years without significant progression and another for a year and there is tremendous advancement in symptoms. Why?
I don’t know.
In the I don’t know moments of life, isn’t it good to know that there is One who does know? That there is one who is sovereign and faithful to bring us through any moment, even if it’s filled with uncertainty? To know there is One who knows the beginning and the end and every little detail in between? One who has promised to never leave us or forsake us?
This I do know… He is faithful. Faithful to provide what we need when we need it – strength, wisdom, comfort, peace and more. Faithful to provide in our greatest moment of need – when we don’t have the answers.
When we just don’t know, He does.
5 Responses to “Three Little Words That Are Feared Most”
brandi on September 5, 2010
Sometimes, I fear the actual answers more. I was once told “Your lifespan is probably only another 30 years.”
Thats funny- I didn’t realize I had an expiration year marked on my forehead visible only to medical personal.
I’m 29 and according to this person I only have 29 years left. Nevermind, that I’m in excellent physical condition, and take very good care of myself, or the fact that the tremor in my right leg has only progressed mildly for the past 5+ years. Not to mention this life sentence was given to me after only having known the so-called professional for 1 hour on a first time visit.
I’m not saying that there is no truth to what I was told I could get dramatically worse at ant point. I’m simply asking you to ask yourself “how do they know” and “where did the information come from.” And, in this particular instance, the information was super questionable. It came from an on-line article, from a pretty reputable website but it lacked some necassary KEY elements. Such as: when the study was conducted? how many participants? ages? the health status to begin with of the participants? age of death? medications they were on? and so on.
Just because someone has a medical degree doesn’t mean they can tell the future or find answers to every question…. somtimes the questions are better left alone.
(p.s. I never asked “how long am I going to live,” she offered the information since I am considering having children… she thought I might like to know.)
Sherri on September 1, 2010
Thanks Jeanette – I loved all the pictures Judy shared – and your smile!
Jeanette Hoffman on September 1, 2010
Blog looks really good and I love what you have said. So much uncertainty surrounded by absolute certainly that God will carry us through.
Sherri on September 1, 2010
Thanks Shirley! I’m still working on it, but I like it too! And, thanks for the encouragement! Have a great day!
Shirley Pheasant on September 1, 2010
Thanks for the reminder. We know that in spite of all the uncertainty we live with every day, God DOES know and care, but sometimes we forget. Also, I love your new header!