Marie's Voice... On Surviving Life and Having Joy

How do you do it, Marie? I am asked that frequently. I have always just thought we take what life presents us and deal with it. But in the time since my surgeries for my Twin Tubes (my trach and feeding tube) in 2006, I have begun thinking more intentionally about how I do life. The trigger for my introspection has been friends’ repeated expressions of amazement at what I’ve been through and how I manage. My faith in God is an underlying factor. But what influenced that. How did it develop? As... Sign in to see full entry.

On May 8, 2006, I had a late afternoon follow up appointment with my pulmonologist who had been treating me for bronchitis. He listened to my lungs, then immediately had his nurse walk me over to the hospital. I had been trying for a week to get well. But not only was I not breathing so well, but I hardly had the energy to eat. I had been using a BiPap since 1995 to give some push to my breathing. I just didn't have enough respiratory strength, due to the late effects of the residual weakness... Sign in to see full entry.

1993. My fatigue had become excruciating. And I couldn't figure out what was happening. Then I heard about Post Polio Syndrome. In the fall of 1949 I didn't get to start third grade because of severe cold and flu like symptoms. When I could no longer breath or swallow, both my parents and Dr. Bentley knew. The dreaded polio. The epidemic was already raging. Mine was Bulbar Polio. Bulbar caused paralysis of breathing and swallowing. I used to say that I couldn't breath and I couldn't swallow, but... Sign in to see full entry.