Some of my readers asked where I have been as I have not posted any new posts in the last weeks …
I have been away.
My dad became ill in May, and again early July and following several days of hospitalization 2 weeks ago, he became paralyzed. The eventual diagnosis was spinal TB or extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.
At the moment he is still in ICU following a really long and complex spinal fusion. Doctors hope that now that his spine is stabilized, the nerves will eventually recover. It may require up to 18 months in rehab.
My mom is traumatized by the sudden dramatic events and she faces many huge decisions. She will have to pack and sell, give away and donate their things and sell her house. We visited the retirement complex she has reserved and trust for God’s perfect timing to move there.
My dad’s treatments and final recovery is uncertain. Medical aid will not cover the many months of rehab. He has lost his job as the company has had to replace him, and at his age, he probably will not be able to return when he recovers.
I took an 19-hour bus trip to be with my parents and support my mom. We spent many days sorting out dad’s legal affairs and accounts.
We visited him in hospital.
We cried many times.
We prayed constantly.
My mom’s church, the ladies in her quilting group, her dog therapy group and many of her patients (she’s a physiotherapist) and family have rallied around mom and dad.
Although we live far away, I am in constant contact with her.
In the meantime, I have returned home to my family and our farm. My eldest daughter approaches her prelim exams in August and matric final exams in November. I have committed to driving her to the exam center and supporting her in these last few important months of her schooling.
I will so appreciate your prayers.
Blessings,
Here are some sites you may wish to view if you have any questions regarding extra-pulmonary TB:
Practical Pages 
Pingback: Do it! | Practical Pages
I am praying for you.
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@Ana, thank you for your prayers.
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There are times to work and times to pray and some times to care for others. You’ve put in lots of time and work on this site and for other homeschoolers, it’s now time to focus on your family and we will all pray for you and your loved ones. Our sermon this past week was about Wrestling with GOD. Through every crisis we wrestle with HIM. He does so for a reason. We can only get closer to HIM through this wrestle and what it takes us through. I pray for strength during this struggle. Remain honest during this struggle of life and remember he wants us to wrestle with him in order to have deeper faith.
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@Wendy, these are wonderful words of counsel. I believe that the Lord is speaking to us all the time, but we often don’t hear or listen. In times like these, He is able to take us aside to be more mindful of Him, to find Him ever-faithful and to learn to hear and follow Him afresh. Thank you for your prayers.
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Dear Nadene
I just want you to know that I will pray for your dad to get better and to give you, and your mum and family strength. Last year my dad was seriously ill and then this year my mum had a minor stroke, falling down the stairs and breaking her two wrists, and her elbow. She’s slowly recovering and my dad is much better too. My mum and dad live in another country and it’s difficult to see them as much as I’d like but I always try to skype them.
Take care and good, good luck and for your daughter too with her exams. My daughter has also got to study like mad now if she wants to pass her exams in September…
Take care and bye for now,
Rosemary.
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@Rosemary, thank you for your kindness and compassion. I trust that your parents recovers fully. I think that living far away makes it so difficult to assist and support our parents and it adds to the pain of their suffering. I so appreciate your prayers, blessings.
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Nadene- I have enjoyed your blog even when I wasn’t homeschooling. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
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So sorry. Keeping you in my prayers.
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@Kathy, thank you for your prayers!
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whew – and wow! I hope your father has a full recovery and that everyone stays strong. You and your family will be in my prayers this week.
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@Y.Prior, My Mom and I have seen God answer prayers these past few weeks and it has so strengthened her faith and encouraged me to pray often and very specifically. Thank you for your prayers, blessings.
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You and your family are in my thoughts. Enjoy this time with your family. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
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Dear Nadene, lots of love to you and your family. So sorry for this difficult time. I pray that His light will shine through brighter than the circumstances, and that you’d know his absolute peace.
His mercies are new every morning.
Bless you heaps, from Victoria
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So sorry to hear about your dad, Nadene. Will pray for the situation.
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Praying for you, Nadine!
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My heart goes out to you. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer he was an ocean away so I was not able to spend the time caring for him although did go over for the final week. I pray that your Dad has a MIRACULOUS recovery & that God gives you all, especially your mom, the wisdom to make the right decisions. Take care, Liz
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I am praying for the Lord to give you and your family over this time and that He will raise your father up again. I too am going through very difficult circumstances with a broken back since March of 2012. My recovery seems to keep falling back so I would also appreciate prayers. I am thankful to be able to get on my feet and keep depending on God to bring me through this. I have recently found your blog and you have inspired me much. I am so glad that you have been providing so many wonderful projects for others to use and enjoy. Thank you and God Bless you all!
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Many prayers to your father, you and your family. I went through it three years ago. You will become stronger for it. He holds you close to the fire, but the good Lord will make sure that you will not burn.
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I wish I could repay all the joy and encouragement you have given me from afar through your posts. For now, sending hope and prayers from the States, and wishing you and your parents recovery and peace.
Robyn
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Robin, thank you for your prayers and kind words, blessings!
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“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” Ps 36:7
Praying for you and your family x
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My prayers are with you, the family, and your parents. I haven’t gone through such a situation yet, but several others with close friends and know that God will provide, God will give you enough grace to face the situations one-by-one and He will give you all peace and comfort. Just continue to trust in Him.
Good luck also with the exams, I trust fully that she will have a successful exam-time.
One day, one thing at a time…
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@elizevdm, thank you for your kind words and counsel. I find that there is grace when one focuses on the “one thing” that the Lord shows us to do in that moment. I have to trust and surrender everything in His hands.
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Dear Nadine. I read John 16 today and want to share with you verses 20-24. “You will grieve, but your grieve will turn to joy.” and “…no one will take away your joy.” and “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” I pray for you. (I do hope that you are encouraged by this. You have encouraged me so many times. Thank you! Blessings. Nettie
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@nettie, what precious words … they bring comfort and peace! Blessings!
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My prayers are with you! This past February, I got a call from my brother saying that he was in the hospital with my mother who needed emergency multi-level spinal fusion along with spinal decompression-2 rods, 6 screws. They also did local bone grafts and corrected some scoliosis. This was complicated by osteoporosis and neuropathy….and she was sick with a sinus infection at the time and throwing up blood! I had 24 hrs to pack a bag, leave homeschool instructions for 5 children and find a substitute tutor for my class with our homeschool group. I was gone for 3 months (she lives a 10 hr drive- 6 states away)! Her recovery is still not complete but we were able to get her back on her feet before I had to leave. We would not have made it without the love and support of family and friends. I am praying for your parents as they face this incredible life alteration. The Lord sees more than we do and that was our only lifeline as we faced the grueling hours of learning to walk again. Blessings
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@belle, thank you for your encouragement and prayers. I have witnessed so many answered prayers, such devoted care, kindness and compassion during these past weeks. My mom and dad have a long and difficult path ahead, but I know that the Lord is faithful, and can make all things work together for good, even though it all seems hard and difficult right now.
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