Josh's 7 Month Update

Josh's 7 Month Update

Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular Dysfunction with Complet Vestibular Failure
Anxiety Disorder due to Vestibular Neuritis and Dysfunction
Hyperacusis
Tinnitus
Loss of Energy
Extreme Cognitive Fatigue

These are the conditions that Josh, my husband has been diagnosed with in the past 7 months.  Josh struggled with dizziness and balance issues starting back in March of this year, and his condition only continued to worsen. He continues to struggle daily with all of the above ailments.  Some days are better than others, some days he struggles significantly. These conditions are ones that will probably be with Josh for the years to come, as once Vestibular Complete Loss is present, it doesn't return. We are so thankful for the accommodations that have been made at work and the ones we are able to put in place in his daily life to make things easier for him.

Our continued thanks to everyone who has stepped in to the fill the gap in the last 7 months. Thank you for your acts of service, your apples and cereal and groceries, meals, and constant prayers. Thank you for chocolate bars and bunny visits for my kids, for coffee and restaurant gift cards. Thank you for hugs and handkerchiefs. Thank you for your love, your candor and being able to walk with us on this uncomfortable uncharted road. Thank you for loving our family when we are so messy and needy!

Praises to report:
Josh is able to care for both kids in my absence!
Josh can drive a car!
Josh has returned to work!
Josh's employer found him an amazing job in Corporate Recruiting!
Josh can lead a men's bible study!
Josh can attend the sermon portion of each Sunday morning service!
Josh can read again and watch sermons again for short periods of time!
Josh is encouraged so much when the dizziness is less and the acusis is unnoticeable!
Josh is encouraged by hugs and text messages! (let me know if you want his number!)
Josh has now mowed our grass two times this year!  Woohoo!
Josh can shop in a store with only the assistance of a cart to hold on to!
Josh is now able to go out to eat for short periods of time!
Josh is now able to help a bit around the house when he has the energy!

See all of these amazing praises!  In seven months, Josh has gone from not being able to stand up straight and having to use the wall to guide him, to working and being upright most of the day! We are thankful to God each and every day. God has time and time again shown us His faithfulness and love. We are eternally thankful for His daily presence in our lives.

One of my favorite verses is from Psalm 34, verse 1.
I will praise the Lord no matter what happens; I will constantly sing of His Glories and Grace.
or-
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be on my lips.

No matter what happens. At all times.  Constantly Sing. Continually. His Glories and Grace. These words are not only true, but words of encouragement! We can still praise the Lord, when times are amazing and in times of great need. In joy and in suffering, we can constantly sing His praises.

Thank you dear friends and family. We will never be able to say it enough.