Patti Katter

Dear Diary,

Over the past few days I have been thinking about what military caregivers go through.  Ups and downs, downs and ups.  Just like civilian wives I guess, or military wives… except sometimes its a bit discouraging when you know your husbands health may not get better.  In fact, his health might get worse.

Traumatic brain injuries are the talk of the town lately.  We think about todays impact TBI has caused on our veterans – but I wonder about the long term effects.  Lately, the buzz on the street is – TBI patients are more likely to take on brain disease such as Parkinsons Disease and Alzheimers.  Pretty freaky, hugh?

Today, I made this image for my fellow caregivers.  Its really easy to look at all of the scary things – but very important to remember the positives being a caregiver has made in your life.  Being a veteran caregiver is incredibly stressful at times – but its also very rewarding.  Rewarding, knowing that your veteran sacrificed his health and well being for the great country of the United States.  Going to war, so that hopefully – our children and grandchildren won’t have to.

Dear Diary,

This winter has been really mild.  We haven’t had but a couple of inches of snow on the ground at a time.. its been really nice!

That’s all… I know, short – but sweet.

Love, PK

Dear Diary,

I’m confused.  I can’t go into detail online, but its weird.  It’s not like me to be confused.

Love,

PK

I recently have been thinking about diving into a Bible Study.  Since our last move I’ve felt like I’ve had no time and honestly, no say in the situations I’ve been in.  I’ve felt hurried, harried and pressured into things that I’ve had no control over.  When going through books at Family Christian bookstore, I picked up one that particularly caught my eye.  Esther, by Beth Moore.

On the back of the book, it states that this Bible study is for women that have felt inadequate, threatened or pushed into situations that seem over powering.  It’s a nine week study, so I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit that many weeks into a study.  Normally, I pick a Bible study that is short and to the point.  But, I couldn’t help but keep thinking that indeed… I am a hurried, harried and pressured military wife.  My husband is no longer in the military, however – my heart will always be that of a military wife.  The things our family deals with daily are because of my husbands military background.  PTSD and TBI play a big part of our lives still.  A stressful part of our lives to say the least.

I picked the book up, looked at it and set it back down.  I walked around the Bible book store, glancing at other Bible studies and music CDs.  Eventually, there I stood… looking at Esther again.  I decided to buy it and to begin the study.  On January 19, 2012 I started the study of Esther.  It has been a little harder than I thought it would be.  Right now, I only have two nights under my belt with a third one that will be finished tonight.  I admit, its sort of difficult learning the names of the Kings and places the story of Esther talks about in the beginning of the book.  Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes and Darius… Wow, what names to learn.

I’ve already learned a couple things I didn’t know about the book of Esther.  One funny little thing I learned is that the book of Esther talks about a seven day party.  Every military wife likes a good party, and if you are like me – you like being the hostess of the party… decorating and making sure everything goes well.

I’ve been warned that the book of Esther in the Bible never mentions God one time.  To me, this is weird – and I don’t know how I didn’t notice it before.  I’m wondering what I will learn from this Bible study.  I know God has really laid it on my heart to read this book and to study the book of Esther – I just don’t know what His plans have to do with me reading this book.  I hope I will learn more about my relationship with Christ, and I am hoping to be encouraged – as Lord knows, right now – I need the encouragement.

Ever so often I will write a follow up article to let you know how I am doing with the study.  Have you read the Beth Moore book, Esther? If you have, did you learn anything? Please share your experiences with me and other military wives interested in learning about the book of Esther.

You can also follow my progress on my Facebook Fanpage or Twitter.

Dear Diary,

This morning one of my daughters had a small surgery.  I was SO surprised at what a wonderful hospital we went to.  It was clean, the doctors and workers did not lose one shred of paperwork, the care was top notch… nothing like the Army hospitals we have seen.

Why are military hospitals so far behind civilian learning hospitals? Very sad!

Sincerely,

PK

Dear Diary,

Today was a pretty good day.  My oldest daughter started her second semester of college.  The younger kids are back at their school work and I am running here and there again.  I think I spend more time on the road running after kids than at home some days.

After dropping my daughter off at school, I stopped by McDonalds to pick up a Diet Coke.  I parked in a parking spota few minutes, glancing over to the left side of my vehicle.  I noticed a van pulling in next to me.  A man and a lady sat, unpacking the McDonalds food they had just ordered.  They pulled three large fries out of the bag, and they both had sandwiches.  I couldn’t see what the driver very well.  I could tell it was a man, very heavy set.  Then, on the passenger side of the van sat a woman.  She was very obese.  She was eating a large sandwich.  I couldn’t tell what it was for sure – but it was big.  Her fries were super-sized, so was her pop.

I snapped a quick photo...

Not that it was any of my business, but I couldn’t help but look at the woman as she tried to eat her sandwich.  She was having a hard time putting the sandwich up to her mouth because she was so big.  Her belly was huge.  I couldn’t help but actually feel really sorry for her.  She must not be happy, how could she be? I’m betting she couldn’t even get out of the van to go inside McDonalds.

Why am I telling you this?

I’ve struggled with my weight.  It has been a very difficult journey at times.  When I first started my “diet” (this last time) it was in February of 2011.  I decided I needed to cut carbs and sugar.  Sugar to me was like crack to a crack addict.  If I ate a little, I craved a lot.  So, last year – I quit eating sugar and haven’t had any since.  I’ve not only lost weight, but I have more energy than I did and I feel a lot better about myself.  No one could have talked me into starting my “diet” – I had to do this by myself.  I had to want something better for myself.

When I looked at the lady next to me, a thought crossed my mind.  I thought, what if I hadn’t done something for myself – I could have been like that in the years to come.  I’m so thankful I worked extra hard to change my life.  I had realized if I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren someday –  I should at least TRY to take better care of myself.  For the last year, I have been watching what I eat.  Recently, I decided that I will have to add more fruit and salads into my diet and cut out a little of the butter and popcorn I indulge in on occasion.  I also need to drink more water, and I’m sure a work out program would be beneficial.

Even thought a year ago I began my transformation, I’m not finished yet.

Til next time,

PK

Dear Diary,

Recently – we found out my dad, myself and my youngest daughter all have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.  That explains a lot actually.  My dad has had joint pain for quite a while, but just figured it was… well…. just because.

I knew I had joint pain here and there, I have stretchy skin and I’m flexible.  My joints are not as bad as my daughters.

My daughter, age 11.  Shes had joint and muscle pain for over a year.  She has stretchy skin, she’s very flexible – or, hyper mobile.  She gets tired of walking easily, and needs a wheel chair if going really long distances.  She was the first one in our family to be diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos.  It did explain much for my dad and I… it runs in the family.  My little girl has a bad case of it.

Just to be on the safe side, shes going for a muscle biopsy next week to make sure she doesn’t have something like MD.  It took months for us to get this far in her diagnosis of what was going on with her.

For more information on Ehlers Danlos, visit the Ehlers Danlos National Foundation website.

~PK

Dear Diary,

The past two days have been busy.  I’ve been running here and there, trying to keep up with household chores – work and I just made a terrific survival forum.  Survival? Yeah, I’m not one of those people who thinks the world is going to end in 2012, but I do think its smart to be prepared in case of emergencies.  Natural or man made.

My parents went through a few hurricanes.  Tornadoes, snow and wind storms as well as severe thunderstorms can knock out power and can make road ways difficult to pass.  Instead of being one of those people who has only 24 hrs worth of food, I think its important that every house hold have enough stock to hold them over for a few days.

When we lived in North Carolina, I remember before a hurricane – food and water would fly off the shelves days before the hurricane was scheduled to hit.  Isn’t it a feel good feeling to know you don’t have to rush into the crowds of people to gather supplies ICE?

When I say ICE – I don’t mean what Mr. Frost brings us… but, it stands for “in case of emergency.”  :)

How do you prepare for emergencies?

Just curious.

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

I had a very lazy day today.  I don’t think I’ve had a day like this in… well, years! I tinkered around on my websites, was a little snippy on a Facebook Fanpage to someone trying to tell me how to diet and then ordered pizza for the kids tonight.  See, I didn’t even cook dinner.

It was nice, but here I am sitting in darkness in my living room feeling a bit too lazy.  I kept my pjs on all day, no make up and my hair is crazy I’m sure.  Before I go to sleep, I’ll grab a quick shower – but that’s it.  Done.

So, here’s to my lazy day… cheers!

Love,

PK