How We Came to be Here

God often works in mysterious ways.  Ben was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease about ten years ago and was treated for about three years.  Unfortunately, he lost his insurance and has been 'going it alone' for the last several years.  It wasn't until November of 2010 that he returned to the doctor.  


Ben had made a lot of changes to his diet and was working out regularly, effectively controlling his blood pressure until his personal life experienced upheaval: job loss, marriage problems, separation when he accepted a job offer in Texas, and the stress of going through a divorce.  He moved from Missouri with his three daughters and was starting life over again.  He returned to doctor care after months of waking every morning with a bad headache.  His blood pressure was so high the doctors immediately admitted him to the hospital, where he spent the next three days.  It's unfortunate that our veterans often do not know what medical care they are entitled to when they leave the service.  It is a blessing from God someone at the hospital put Ben in contact with the VA, where he is now receiving regular medical treatment.  This is also how he found out that he is toward the end of Stage 4 Kidney Disease, with his GRF (Glomerular Filtration Rate) currently at 19. 


Remember God works in mysterious ways?  No one ever wants to go through a divorce, especially when there are children involved.  However, sometimes that is the very best thing that could happen for those involved.  If he had not taken the job in Texas and moved his family here, chances are he would not have known the extent his kidney's are failing, and he may not have found out in time about the VA services.  God's timing is perfect!  Ben and I have been together for two months now, and I came into this complex picture just in time to become his Support Person.  His girls have adjusted well to the new state, new schools, and new friends.  


I honestly don't know who will be reading this blog, but I do know that it will be a therapeutic experience to journal our way through this experience.  We sincerely hope that, along the way, we may be able to help someone else in a similar circumstance.  In the meantime, I feel like I'm in graduate school again - you know the feeling?  As though there is a major project or paper due and you are running out of time to get all of the research done!  So, I'm off to do some more reading.  : )  Thank you to the many sites that provide excellent information, as well as other's who are blogging about their experience with CKD - the information and experiences you offer are valuable and very much appreciated.   ~ Yomi