Ahh, it's nice and cool today. The sun is shining, nice and bright; the wind is blowing; and the temperature is below 70. The perfect Florida fall day. Today certainly makes up for yesterday.

I try to maintain a good attitude about dealing with my chronic illness. And I usually don't have too much trouble. But yesterday was a hard day. I didn't get much sleep the night before--our blind cocker spaniel has her days and nights mixed up. She wanted to play and go out. I needed to get up extra early to be at dialysis by 5:45. Someone who is in my chair after me needed to come in early, so Nurse Judy asked me to come in early. I don't mind that--early in means early out. I even had a good tech. But, something happened and too much fluid was taken off--two pounds worth (one kilo). My legs started cramping; my feet actually curled upward, like elf shoes, and I couldn't get them uncurled no matter how hard I pulled. Then my blood pressure dropped. That meant I had to be turned upside down in the chair. I hate that. It was lab day, so I couldn't even get off one minute early. Finally, all my blood was returned and a little saline--the cramping stopped. Ahhhhhh.

It's this kind of a day that reminds me I'm not immune to the difficult effects of my disease. It's this kind of a day that reminds me that I'm not able to go through this alone. Yes, I need the techs, the saline, and a silent acceptance of the pain. As my cramps continued throughout the day, I needed the kindness and understanding of my husband. It's hard to push a vaccum when your foot is curled upward, and you have to walk on your heels! But, most importantly, I was reminded that I need God's strength--not just on the bad days--but on the good days as well. He is with me each day as I live with a chronic medical condition. He knows the reason why I am the only person, in a family full of PKD sufferers, whose condition deteriorated so rapidly. What do I need to know? First, that He is always with me. God has promised, "I will never leave thee or forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Second, I don't have to continue in my strength alone, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10). With those two promises, even a bad day is good.