Another Sign from Heaven

Jesse's favorite bird. a bluebird, landed yesterday in our yard outside the kitchen window where his sister Daleah and I ware going through sympathy cards. This is an odd time of year as bluebirds usually do not gather in our yard until fall migration.

It was a sign - the bluebird of happiness - note how the color of the bluebird matches the color of the hooded sweatshirt he loved to wear. Coincidence? I think not. I suspect we will receive many signs from the heavens - since Jesse was fond of all flying creatures. If you are missing him - keep your eyes open for gifts dropped from heaven.

Jesse is reassuring us of the joy he is living in Heaven.

There is peace, joy, wholeness, and BEAUTY of God's creation surrounding him at all moments. Here on earth, Jesse used binoculars to see the details of a bird.  But imagine, in Heaven, every detail is magnified and his eyes are soaking up the intricacy and beauty beyond his imagination. 

Jesse is in his intermediate home that we call Heaven. One day we, who believe in Jesus and have asked Him into our hearts, will be together for eternity on the New Earth.  If you loved my Jesse, and want to learn more on how to have relationship with the Lord so that you can be reunited with him again for all eternity, please don't hesitate to talk to myself, or Kyle, or Abby.

The Creator of all longs to know you and wipe out any fear you may have of dying. It is a beautiful place to be ...to know where you are going, free of gnashing teeth, and instead - Holiness and complete, divine joy.

Peace to you!

Rita

A Bed Too Large

His side of the bed

Lies empty and forlorn

My side has a broken heart

And a body that’s worn

His side had a man

Who held my hand while we slept

Who made me feel safe

And wiped every tear that I wept

Our vows were forever

‘Til death do us part

The bed seems so huge

Like the hole in my heart

So I cry myself to sleep

And I cry myself awake

To be strong another day

Until my soul He doth take.
(Rita Shimniok 6-11-15)

My first thought every night (or early morning) when I crawl in to bed is how big the bed is without Jesse. It does not matter that it had been empty for months as the sciatica kept him from lying in our bed, we both thought he would be back in it and we could love and cuddle one another once again.

Bit was not a part of the bigger plan. I do not question our holistic treatment. I do question how one man could have so many medical issues thrown on him all at once, and I do get angry and ask, no, scream, WHY?!!!!!!  I curse Satan and yell at it - Jesse did not waiver in his faithfulness, and God brought him Home. Like Job, Jesse's victory through death prevailed.

Jesse and I prayed many times for this journey not to pass without learning from it. We learned much, about each other, about God, the darkness in this world, and the love that binds a couple together through the worst of times. Our eyes were opened.

As I rise up to this day, my eyes will continue to be open to the lessons yet to come, and they will continue to shed tears for the emptiness in my bed.

Peace,

Rita

You're Invited to a Celebration of Life

Peace Amidst Great Sorrow

Here I sit, my first full day as a widow. I hear birds chirping, singing and squirels chattering and scolding. It is beautiful in this backyard. Jesse's Oasis.
This is where he loved to enjoy a cup of coffee early in the morning and meditate upon God's word. Evenings we would sit around the fire pit as a family, making smores, and Abby often sitting in her father's lap.
My heart has such a huge hole in it right now. One might think I would be more prepared for this, but I am not. Jesse had been improving. He had more strength and was using the trapeze over his bed to work his arms. He slept a lot last week and we stayed ahead of the pain making sure he took a dose regularly. He asked me to help work his legs both Saturday and Sunday, and he had good strength in the PT exercices. Best of all these past few days he was having no pain, and this past weekend he took very little pain medication.
Late Sunday afternoon something changed. He was being especialy grateful ...as if thanking me several times a day was not enough. He was gazing off, not really seeing what was around him. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Jesse said, "Lord?" with his eyes fixated towards the ceiling.
"Just a little more time with my family please". And quite honestly, at this point I started to freak out. I realized that I was losing him, and the Lord had come to take him Home.  I asked if he wanted Abby and Jesse, and he said yes.  We gathered around his bed, with the wren singing outside the window on the new bird house that had been occupied shortly afer it was put up, and prayed over him. The kids left the room.
Jesse's breathing changed and I wasn't sure what was happening. His voice was barely audible. I asked if he wanted an ambulance and he said yes. I called Agrace, and then 911,
For whatever reason, a lung had ruptured, and the hospital staff was able to use a procedure to drain the fluid. I wno't go into details, but he surprised the doctor on staff that night by resting comfortably. He had no pain, and those of us along his bedside, including friends from our amazing church life group, tapped. Yes, Jesse asked for tapping - on his trigger points to release endorphins for the pain. I think the hospital staff were surprised every time they asked if he had pain and he said he did not think so.
Friends had grabbed the tablet from home and we played his favorite praise songs by Fernando Ortega for him.  Monday morning Jesse's breathing started to be laborous again, and as he took his lasts, "Our Great God" was playing softly in his ear. Each time we sang this song in worship my quiet and more reserved husband, would lift both of his hands to the sky in PRAISE to his Heavenly Father. I prayed for his journey, that Jesse find full peace and embrace fully the presence of the Light and enter into eternal joy and rest.
"Hallelujah! Glory be to Our Great God! Hallelujah! Glory be to our Great God."  Death has lost it's sting, there is VICTORY in Jesus.
Jesse was never much of a writer, and the only book he ever read cover to cover was the Holy Bible, but when he did share on this blog it was with intent and on purpose. He wanted YOU to know that the the most perfect love in this world comes from having relationship with Jesus. I hope those of you seeking acceptance andlove in this world will find his words, and open your heart to his loving messages.
As I type this, a chickadee leaves the bathng rock, and a white feather flutters to the ground. Yes, my love is with me always. My heart cries out in anguish, but my soul knows that we will be reunited once again, when I journey into the everlasting arms of Jesus.

As Jesse said at the end of his posts, PEACE!
Rita

ASK. BELIEVE. RECEIVE.

The title for today's update comes from a phone conversation I had with Mike "Doc" Witort wwek.

We BELIEVE and TRUST that God is at work through this journey. God does not need any help in  healing people....that's for sure. His omnipotence is fully capable of whatever He decides to do.

We had a visit Thursday from a lovely couple in their 80s, members of Full Speed Impact Ministry. Gene has a pretty cool story - he was at the Agrace center for a while, having been diagnosed with prostrate cancer, metastacized  - grapefruit sized tumor sticking out of his neck. The short of Gene's story is he was prayed over, miraculously healed, and left Agrace. Before leaving Gene did go to heaven...with a choice to go right, and enter into the great peace and joy that awaited him, or go left and return to his wife. Because much was left unsettled, Gene chose to return to his wife to help her even though he very much wanted to join the divine realm. Yes, Heaven does exist. Gene now ministers to and prays with others.

We sense something big is going to happen. Of course we do not know what God has in store for us, but we do know that He had designed the body to heal and wants that for each of us. I know many have questioned the wisdom in not using the Lupron therapy offered to Jesse - and am repeating a previoous post from early on in the journey that explains the side effects, which include "may produce tumor in the bones". Everyone we know who has had Lupron treatment has had a 2nd go round, with cancer in the bones, and all but one (whose 2nd bout with cancer began shortly after Jesses') have passed. Jesse was aso not a candidate for chemo or radiation - but even if he had been - he does not feel that God would ask him to poison his body to heal it. It makes no sense to either of us, especially when one reads the bible to learn of all that God has provided for healing.
So a quick update - today marks one month from which Jesse had his first therapy session with Mike "Doc" Witort, from Chicago. I won't explain all that Mike does when he spends 3 hours plus with us, but I will share that we had lab work results this week and the numbers look good.  The PSA dropped 400 points, which has really surprised Jesse's family doctor - and the hemoglobin is also higher- even more puzzling to the MD. Alkaline phosphatase is higher than it should be - which according to Dr. Weber indicates one of two things: A - cancer has further metastacized, or B - the liver is having isues. He expressed confusion about possible spread because of the significant drop in PSA.
Of course I am questioning the doctor.... and said it could very well be the liver, correct? He agreed. I also asked - "couldn't the higher number be a side effect of the Oxycontin and Oxycodeine Jesse was taking for pain?"  He was a bit taken aack, but after a couple of "well, well", he said, "yes you are right, it could be." (I was taking Abby to her concert when he called and was desperate to take notes of the conversation - and quickly gave Abby my tablet in the car and had her put it on video so I could get the audio to playback.

So this is our numbers update.  A new HCG test was mailed out on Monday. Jesse is off the Rx narcotics and his body is detoxing nicely. I am learning a lot from Mike Witort about the symptoms of a body coming off narcotics. We have other means of helping to manage his pain - which does make him sleep a lot.  His family and other visitors have noticed his strength improving.

Putting a few new messages on our entry door (whcih is by the garage for anyone who comes to volunteer or visit - front door doesn't work). We are not accepting condolences. Jesse plans to get out of this bed, and God gave Abby a vision in her dreams Weds. night that her dad was up and getting spices out of the cupboard and working in his wood shop. From many people I have talked to - the terminally ill KNOW when they are dying - God lets them know it is time to get affairs in order.
Point of this sign - we appreciate prayers and visits - but ask that your thoughts not be mournful but lifted in celebration and gratitude for the AUTHORITY God has over sickness and evil. One new message reads:

THIS IS NOT A
HOUSE OF THE
DYING BUT A
HOUSE OF THE
LIVING. (emphasis on living)
Therefore, we celebrate each day in
gratitude for the healing that IS taking place.

Our doorway seems to be revolving with Agrace coming in to help, family and friends volunteering to sit with Jesse so I can leave for a couple of hours to work my business or do errands. I got pretty tired as I typed this so hope it makes sense.

Peace,
Rita

Letting Go

“Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 GW)

Last week Friday I went in to Madison to get jugs of ionic alkaline water from a friend who had invested in such a water system when she had had cancer years ago. She has been kind to offer it to us, and we were using it until a local naturopath said that since we have a well, it wasn’t necessary.

Since becoming bedridden three weeks ago, with Jesse’s left leg totally atrophying and no strength to walk any longer, Jesse has become weak. Being bedridden will catapult you into declining health faster than anything – we are designed to move. Movement is life.

When my friend heard how poorly Jesse was doing she offered the water again, and I decided it can only help. As I arrived a young house finch was frightened from the nest on top her porch light. He struggled, and could not release himself from his capturer – a piece of string entangled around his leg. I went around back so the baby bird could resettle into the nest.

Obtaining the water from my friend, I told her what I needed to release the bird. A dark pillowcase, a fine point scissors and tweezers – this was not my first experience in rescuing baby birds. I managed to free the fledgling from the rug strands the nest had been made with, placed him back in the nest and we stepped aside. He floundered a bit on the porch floor, caught his bearings and flew off to a tree across the street where his parents happily welcomed him.

I thought about that little bird and the incident. I believe everything happens for a reason.  Our friend reached out and offered water to help bring Jesse’s  pH back up (and it is coming up, thankfully, with everything we are doing), and I was meant to arrive to release the little bird, that was languishing as his breast bone was protruding.

God was giving me a message. And it is not the first time I have heard this – as my charismatic Arbonne friends have delivered a divinely inspired message several times to me, that God is telling me to “let go and let God”, as my wise friend Bernie used to tell me.  So I had a good cry, or several. Coming to terms that my husband and I may not celebrate our 26^th year.

And I’ve cried while caring for Jesse, and he asks, “don’t you think I will get well?” I told him straight, that if he doesn’t eat the food Doc Mike is telling me to feed him, that he won’t be able to get well.  He is tired of smoothies, and I can understand that.  We are certainly not getting in the three a day that we are supposed to to  bring about healing. I am trying to be creative and find other means to increase his pH and oxygen levels.

I have a lot more to share as the past several days have had so much going on, but I wrote a chapter earlier and I forgot to save the Word doc…and it disappeared. Which is why I am writing and sharing that I have let my husband go and am at peace in my heart.  If  it is not God’s will to heal him then so be it. If it is God’s will to heal a man whom friends are coming to see and I can see their expectations of death, then to Him be all the glory.

Before I close on this note, however, I want to add that Doc Mike was up to do a treatment on Jesse yesterday, and as I helped Jesse get everything he needed before retiring for the night, Jesse said in a strong voice, “I am going to be out of this bed soon!”

God is at work. I sense it, I feel it…and I am “Letting Go and Letting God”.

In His peace,

Rita

Finding Ozone Therapy At Last!

Hello all - thank you always for your continued prayers. Jesse's left leg has atrophied completely and he is now housebound. There are different theories...the chiropractor feels it is bulged disc, nerve neuropathy; the oncologist is suggesting cancer has spread to left leg; and our new team member, Mike Witort, suggests from his advanced studies on the side effects of Rx and narcotics in particular, that the atrophy is due to the pain killers.

Last week, while researching treatments for lymphatic stasis, I came across a man who is now our new partner in healing.  Mike"Doc" Witort from over the border - Chicago burbia. For lymphatic stasis the treatment is the same as what Dr. Tony Jimenenz from the Hope 4 Cancer Clinic in Baja, California had said for bulged discs – ozone therapy. 

The FDA approved ST8 device is the unit being used for treatment with many excellent reviews and testimonies. Of course the equipment is the cost of a car…not an option.  Long story short, I was looking to talk with people who had first hand experience with the ST8 and Witort’s International Institute for Preventative Medicine came up as offering treatments with the ST8. I called, and learned that Mike  travels (around the world at times) to help people wake up well again from cancer and other chronic illnesses, if they cannot come to him. He was named the international health professional of the year in 2008, had a women’s health clinic in Janesville.

Mike has travelled here twice with his healing equipment – the ST8 and vibrational medicine equipment, used to help stimulate the nerves in Jesse’s atrophied legs. The purpose is to stimulate and release the endorphins that help the body manage pain naturally and get the muscles working agian. Mike, known as “Doc”, worked on Jesse from 3:30 pm to 8:45 pm. this past Saturday, and again for 4 hours on Wednesday. He did massage and reflexology and was able to reduce the swelling in Jesse’s legs as he worked.

Taking Jesse’s pH he was quite acidic – Mike said the Oxy Rx (check out the very extensive list at drugs.com) Jesse is/was on are extremely toxic, and acidic, and negate much of what we have been trying to accomplish. He runs a drug free healing program, and we learned more about the debilitating side effects of narcotic prescriptions. Jesse is on a special smoothie diet. Mike was familiar with Arbonne protein and its absorbency and said by all means - add to his healing smoothie recipe for the vegan protein. I am grateful for that as Jesse’s appetite is only so big.  We are using natural pain kilers in mega amounts, which also help bring inflammation down.

It is good to have another person involved. Pineapple is packed with pain killing bromelain enzyme... I had learned that a while ago in the podcasts I've been tuning into, and briefly considered giving Jesse lots of pineapple, but the wife in me said "nope, he doesn't really like pineapple."   Mike Witort, former Navy, takes a militant approach - he tells Jesse is not about liking, it's about surviving.  We are burning through fresh pineapple and bananas like no tommorrow, and we may need a rotating delivery for these from Costco to help out. I can't keep running to Costco 3x a week like I did last week.

ETC has a great Patient Care advocate with the health plan and we were given the name of a home health care provider in the insurance network today. I am definitely wearing out, but Witort said to keep it up - he hopes to have Jesse back on his feet in a few.

Jesse asks that everyone please keep the prayers coming. He wants to get the strength back in his legs. His left leg in particular. The fingers in his right hand started tingling a few weeks ago  We are grateful that his bulging lymph nodes have receded since DOC Mike’s visit and the pain is lessening.  Sunday he had a bit of a detox headache, but that has passed. 

You can learn about Mike Witort at  www.wakeupwell.org 

I encourage you to check out his posted articles - especially on the effects of Rx narcotic drugs.  Share it with your doctors and friends who may need Mike's help. I am so grateful to have found Ozone therapy at last... Frustrated that it was so difficult to locate a practitioner, and I hope to eventually get all our resources posted at the Purely Living Wellness website soon so that others dealing with chronic disease can find help. It  should not be so hard to find these resources, but it is.

-Blessings,
Rita