These days, I’m putting 7 less pills in the weekly pill box for my son. And that’s saying something! Having two children with Cystic Fibrosis, I have grown accustomed to dispensing medications all day, every day. And because it’s a progressive disease, I should expect that number to only grow over time. To be able to decrease medications feels like a miracle.
I am thankful to report that our youngest son is currently healed and whole again after a two year battle with PTSD. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affected him, and all of us, after he and I survived a traumatic van accident during the summer of 2014.
PTSD is a very real and debilitating condition, and I have gained the utmost respect for all who face it. Whether they are soldiers coming home from active military duty, women who’ve suffered a violent attack, or a person who has survived a natural disaster; I believe it can often take more courage to face the future after a traumatic event, than the actual incident itself. Traumatic memories, fears, survivor’s guilt and depression are heavy burdens to bear on a daily basis. But I can attest that there is hope. I have both experienced and witnessed it. For us, hope has come from therapy, trusted physicians, modern medicine, our loyal dog Gunnar, support from family and friends, prayer, and most of all faith in Christ and the promise that He will never leave us or forsake us.
It is possible our son could relapse. But for now, we celebrate that he is currently healthy. If you’d like to learn more about our journey with PTSD, read my new book, Just Breathe; Choosing Joy, One Breath at a Time.