In the midst of rushing around trying to solve the worlds problems around me. I have totally neglected to pay attention to my own health issues.

I have been an insulin dependant Diabetic for over 28 years. The past six years I have had one major heart attack and a quadruple heart bypass. During that bypass my blood pressure dropped and a blood clot went to the center of my brain and diminished my eye sight 45 percent. Leaving me totally blind for three months.

At that time my baby was only 4 and I bombarded God with prayers. All I asked was for God to allow me the opportunity to see my children's faces again. It was not long until my miracle happened and i got back just enough sight that if my child was standing beside me I could see their facial features. They were still cloudy but I could see them. After all the doctors said my eye sight would not return or improve at all.

Everything in my life surrounded the use of my eyes and hands. I had to learn to feed myself over again. That was not a pretty sight at all.

My mind goes back to those moments because here I am again Lord asking for another Miracle. I have had an infected toe for about six weeks and the antibiotics are not helping. So on Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving when I will have at least 10 guests at my table) I have to go into the hospital.

This year has been devastating to us as a family with all the deaths of our loved ones. Five in one year and two more are very ill as I write this. I have had several families at my door asking for food and or money. Which usually I am glad to help.
This year we just do not have it.

So needless to say I have not being watching out for my own health. As Adopted Parents and Foster Parents we tend to put ourselves on the back burner a lot. It is so important for us to take care of us because our families need us to be healthy and strong for them. So I encourage every mother out there to get your regular check ups and stop putting off the inevitable. Get your PAP tests and Mamograms. If you get a cold call up a back up person and get some well needed rest.

Make room on the busy schedule for Date Night. If your children see you happy then that will add to their own happiness. If they see you really down and sad they worry needlessly.

I have all the trimmings for a big traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I just called up my friends and said dinners on....but guess who is cooking it.
(Smiles) Between my husband, his mother and my best friend, I am sure they can manage to feed the other seven or so people.

As for me I refuse to eat hospital food on Thanksgiving so I told them to bring me dinner from my own table. A little bit of coverage on my insulin and I will be fine.

As for loosing my toe and maybe part of my foot. I am devastated. I know this is just normal progression for Diabetics but it still does not make it any easier to cope with. So keep me in your prayers out there. As all of you and your families will surely be in mine.

P.S. Happy Birthday To Me. I just turned 46 today.
So I am in a mood of celebration. With Love and Hugs from.....Sharlene