Eric's Wife (AKA Amy Dodd)

I have mentioned Amy Dodd before. Amy is special to me for lots of reasons. The summer that I was starting in the high school youth group Amy was on her way out to head to college. But, that summer we stayed in a house together on our mission trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota. A beautiful friendship was formed and I laughed so much I think I injured myself.

Amy has struggled with having MS for a long time. In fact, when I was so very sick with some unknown illness I picked up overseas she was insturmental in helping me form a positive attitude about how to deal with it. There is a lot of days that I still struggle with the pain but I really feel like for the most part I have a good outlook and focus on God's promise to come back for us - seeing Amy battle her own illness gave me an example to follow.

Amy has also gone through losing a brother. It was more painful then I can possibly imagine, but she focuses on Jesus and his promises.

Anyway, before this gets way to long I will get to the point- I reaed a post on Amy's blog today about how she is going to stop blogging because her MS symptoms are getting worse. I wanted to share not only that post with you but some of the comments that follow it. You will be amazed so I hope you take the time to read it all.

About two months ago I started to experience the symptoms of a Multiple Sclerosis relapse. I kept thinking that it would subside soon enough and I could get back to my regular self.

It just hasn’t happened and I want to share with you some of my thoughts about that.

I have known for as long as I’ve known about the MS that it could get worse. I would be lying if I told you that I am one hundred percent at peace with that reality.

After many years of walking unaided, I recently took advantage of Wal-Mart’s courtesy scooter. It was a really big deal to me. I have always figured that such a thing was akin to giving up hope of returning to normal.

Since then, I have given up walking outside my home, except when necessary. I see the benefit that it is to my family that I save energy. I am still able to prepare meals, clean my home, school the children, and be available to Eric.

Suddenly, not walking makes sense.

Can I be honest and tell you that I HATE that it makes sense? I hate that it makes sense that I should have special parking and fat handled toothbrushes and low heeled, sensible shoes and plastic cups. I hate that I have now fantasized about getting my own scooter.

There are a lot of reasons that I wanted to be so honest about how I feel about this. I have a good attitude because I have responsibilities that require me to. But sometimes people mistake a good attitude for feeling good and happy with circumstances. I do not feel good and I am not happy with my circumstances.

I wanted you to know because this spell has affected my ability to write freely without a lot of effort. My thoughts are jumbled and it is hard to get them out in a way that doesn’t leave me hitting “backspace” or “select all” and “delete”. I have decided that I should make my blogging absence official.

I figure I’ll post some of my archives on occasion and still pop in here and there, but I think it is better if I just go ahead and bow out for the most part.

Thank you all for your patience while I hemmed and hawed about this. I hope to get back someday in the not too distant future.

In the meantime, I would like to leave you with one last piece of advice from Eric’s Wife. Whenever I face anything like this and I start to feel a bit anxious, I just adopt my “Whateverdude, Jesus is ABSOLUTLEY coming back for me” Attitude. WA, for short. A Whateverdude Attitude is how I roll. Unless I’m on a scooter, and then that’s how I roll.

Some of the comments that followed:

Susan says:
I will be the first to offer to purchase the horn for your scooter. Because people need to get out of your way! Let me know when you want it installed… I will be there in a heart beat.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

Eric's Wife says:
I was really hoping someone would do the same service for me that my dear brother Nathan used to do. He would walk in front of me yelling, “Handicap coming! Make room! Handicap coming!”
Horns are too subtle.

Anonymous says:
I would like to get you a scooter. Do you have your eye on one kind in particular?
January 8th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Erics Wife says:
Anonymous, I haven’t looked much, but I was thinking small and easy to transport. Thank you for the thought.
Thank you, Darla. I have enjoyed my visits to your blog as well.
Lauren, I also blame Wisconsin. Even though it started before I went there. I’ll be at your place mid-February.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Anonymous says:
I’m looking for one right now. Don’t buy one. Once I figure out which one, I’m getting you one.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

Eric's Wife says:
I have no idea what to say. Thank you.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Anonymous says:
I am ordering you a Phoenix 4-Wheel
January 8th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Eric's Wife says:
I just googled it and it looks great! I am more thrilled about the prospect of owning one than I can convey. Thank you so much.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Christy McDonald says:
Amy, you’re brave, and you’re strong and you’re absolutely right. Jesus is coming back for you. I’ll miss reading your blog during your time off, you have a great way of making me laugh and think all at the same time, but you do what is best for you and your family, that’s the right thing to do. My family and I will be praying for you. As I tell my husband with a chronic disease, God is bigger than this disease. He can choose to use this situation however He wants.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Anonymous says:
So glad! The delivery estimate is Jan. 14 - 20. Just keep an eye out for it.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Susan says:
Wow, now I HAVE to buy the horn. I will get right on that.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

Ginger McBride says:
Amy,
My heart breaks for you. As you said, you have known since the beginning that this was a possibility, as have I. As I read this entry, I want to cry for you because I remember all to well the conversations about this exact future and how “not okay” with this you were then. I know that you are still “not okay” with this on so many levels. I have always hated this for you. Thank you for being an example of how to handle and deal with this. Christ is coming for you and Satan can have his horrible disease back and you, my sister, will have the perfect body we all long for you to have. I didn’t think my respect for you could go any deeper. I am wrong. I love you tons and will continue to keep you in my prayers.

To the Anonymous person who purchased a scooter for Amy- you are a true servant and friend of God. Thank you for blessing her in that way. I cannot imigane the expense of one of those things but I know that not having to worry about it would be a blessing to anyone. Thank you from one of Amy’s friends to another. Thank you.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Anonymous says:
Awww. Thanks. I am happy to do it. Amy deserves it!
January 8th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Kristen says:
I’m crying. I never cry. Clearly this should demonstrate my love for this blog. And for you.
I’m going to miss coming to here and reading your full out hilariousness. And also learning from you.
That being said, I get why you are doing this and am praying.
I always say, “One of these days the Lord is going to Enoch me out of this place.”
Even still, Come, Lord Jesus.
Much love & Dr. Pepper,
Kristen
January 8th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Lisa Emrich says:
Amy,
That’s so wonderful that ‘anonymous’ has sent you a scooter. I can’t think of a better blessing right now.
Think of the scooter as vehicle of power and life. It will help to keep you out-and-about with your family in your community.
MS can rob us of so very many things, but it can’t take your soul. That belongs to God.
Keep in mind that this may not be a permanent setback. Physical therapy can work miraculous things. I’ve seen that in some of the folks at the PT’s facility I go to. All the patients have neurological disorders and it’s truly inspiring to see what CAN be done.
You will be in my thoughts. And here’s a quote for you:
“Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, satan shudders and says…
“Oh no… she’s awake!!”.
January 9th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Shiloh says:
My dear friend Amy - I will not tell you a bunch of emotional crap about how you have taught me how to deal with my illness by how you dealt with yours. Instead I will tell you that I would gladly walk in front of you and yell for people to get out of your way the way your hilarious brother and my good friend did.
I would also love to buy you a helmet someday so I can decorate in bright crazy colors that reflect all that is Amy Dodd.
Love you!
January 10th, 2009 at 12:57 am