Sweating in Alabama

Over the past five years, I have often been struck by the unique ways that my life’s journey has intersected with or run parallel to my brother John’s.  In his case, the journey has led him through a deep chasm of constant, systemic pain caused by his own body attacking itself unrelentingly.  The medical name for John’s disease is Neuromyotonia, or Isaac’s Syndrome – for which there is no cure, only pain management techniques.  In my case, I am grateful that I have never experienced pain even approaching that which John endures on a daily basis.  My “Thorn in the Flesh” also has a name; it’s called “Restless Leg Syndrome” (an amusing name for a very unamusing condition), and like Neuromyotonia, there is no known cure for RLS.  Restless Leg Syndrome (or “Impatience of the legs” as it is known in France) is a movement disorder in the same medical family as Parkinson’s disease, although it does not lead to Parkinson’s.  John lives in constant pain and I live in constant sleep deprivation; I’m not sure which one is worse.  On a positive note: Daphne and I have been overwhelmed by the response to her last email describing what life is like for her and our family with my chronic insomnia.  Funny how it takes a personal/family crisis to remind us how much we need our friends and family.  In addition to words of empathy and assurances of prayers on our behalf, we received quite a few home remedies, books, and other ideas of potential cures for RLS.  I need to take all these ideas to the Lord and ask Him which ones I should pursue.

I spent all of last week in Alabama trying to help John with various odd jobs that needed attention around the house.  As soon as I got off the plane, I knew I wasn't in Colorado anymore!  It may not be as hot as hell, but you can see it from there.  I think I lost 10 pounds in sweat the two or three times I worked outside at John's house.  But it was worth it to me to find some way I could help him practically with the jobs he's no longer able to do himself.  John is simply unable to handle any physical exertion because his muscles so quickly become fatigued. He finally reached the point about three weeks ago of admitting to himself and to his friends & supporters that he is no longer able to work, and He and Cathy are praying through the options available to them given this reality.  While I was with John I accompanied him to meet with a doctor who put him on a new pain medication that (at first view) seems to promise a significant amount of relief for him.  In John’s shoes, I would probably be skeptical of promises that he can live pain-free, in much the same way that I have tried and discarded a dozen different “cures” for RLS.

Another reason for going to Alabama was to pick up a 2002 Chevy Tahoe that some dear friends offered to give us, knowing that we have two teenagers in our household who are now driving (or soon will be).  We arrived late last night after driving for two full days, and Karine drove for probably a quarter of the trip.  I’m glad she was able to rack up some hours of driving experience, but Daphne and I quickly realized that each time Karine got behind the wheel our ability to relax vanished as we watched her, the traffic in front, the traffic behind, checked her speed . . it was exhausting.  How do parents manage to survive teaching multiple children how to drive?