If it seems like I’ve abandoned my new blogging career in it’s infant stages, let me assure you, I certainly have not.

We interrupt this already hectic schedule to bring you a life lesson.

You know those moments in life when God throws you a curve ball just to make sure you’re still paying attention? Well, I was simply having a “moment”.

A few weeks ago my husband Matt hit a wall (that’s Light family speak for “got really freakin tired”) while on vacation with friends in New Hampshire. I can vividly remember him touching his throat on the drive up saying he felt like he was coming down with something. By the end of the trip it was clear he was more than just a little under the weather. A week later, after two trips to urgent care, he was admitted to a hospital in Boston.

For the next 7 days he was subjected to just about every test you could imagine; daily blood and urine labs, x-ray, ct scan, mri, biopsy, and a grand finale spinal tap. On day 6, doctors informed us that they had exhausted their testing options and were turning their search efforts over to Dana Farber Cancer Center.

So, we sat together on his bed, quietly talking about what might lay ahead. We also had to admit to ourselves that God clearly had been trying to get our attention,  and that our faith in Him would see us through whatever it was we were about to face… yet again.

Two hours later, three infections disease doctors came through the door with wide smiles, they found it! Fungi was finally found in a biopsy sample taken two days prior.

Diagnosis: Histoplasmosis. What? Really? Who gets this kind of stuff? 

This fungi!!

How? In a few words: old barn rehab back in July + 130 years worth of moldy hay, decaying animals, and animal poo flying through the air + failure to wear air filtering apparatus= one gnarly case of histoplasmosis.

Why? Matt has Crohns disease and takes Humira to help lower his overly enthusiastic immune system. You know those Humira ads on TV? Have you ever listened to the very end when they whisper “certain fungal infections may occur”? Of course not! No one listens to that stuff!

What I learned from our friend fungus: 

1. In times of adversity you must choose faith over fear (stay with me now, I’m about to get a little philosophical here). Faith and fear cannot be experienced together. Worrying, which is a side effect of fear, only happens in the absence of faith. It’s crippling and futile trying to do God’s job. I know because I do it a lot. Worrying about the outcome of a situation is the equivalent of saying that you don’t believe that God is in control or capable of taking care of you. Ouch! Once you decide to put your faith in God, you are free from the burden of worry and fear, and so much more able to deal with the situation at hand.
2. Sometimes your faith muscle needs a workout. The truth is, I’m a repeat offender! When I’m faced with a “storm” my process looks like this: I react to perceived crisis with fear. Fear quickly turns to worry. Worry takes over every thought in my mind, prohibiting any normal cognitive function. Once I finally come to the realization that my worrying will not solve my current situation, with my head hung low, I hand it over to God.
3. Being grateful is truly the best medicine. I was raised to “say my prayers” before bed, and to this day I never close my eyes at night without thanking God for my husband, children, family, and friends. But when times are really tough it’s impossible not to see the dozens and dozens of less obvious and often over looked blessings in your life. When Matt was at his sickest in the hospital, I would mentally list all the things that God was providing to help us get through this seemingly impossible situation; everything from our family and friends’ genuine willingness to help see us through this dark time, to our access here in Boston to the most sophisticated medical facilities and brightest doctors in the world. The kindness and expressions of love from the people around us was truly humbling and we will be forever grateful.

On the Mend and Moving On!

We are currently settling back into “normal” life here at the Light house. This Tuesday the Light Foundation will be hosting it’s 12th annual Matt Light Celebrity Shootout. Of course my ambitious husband, still on the mend, will be there to welcome our more than 500 guests to Addieville East Farms in Mapleville, RI.

And, in case you’re wondering if Matt will be staying out of dusty old barns from now on… don’t be silly, he has THREE lined up already. However, he won’t be throwing caution to the wind next time and has already ordered a proper respirator.

I, on the other hand, am looking forward to diving back into the blogosphere and managing my hectic household. This time I will be on the lookout for all the little “not so obvious”  blessings throughout each day, and continually practicing letting fear give way to faith.

I just want to add a few very necessary thank you’s to some incredible people who selflessly helped us through these past few weeks. Whether it was offering prayers or putting your lives on hold to lend a hand, you are all family and we love you!

Marilyn, Mom, Dr. Rachel, Cindi., Margrette, Tara, Amanda, Jojo, Josh, Kaylee, Natalia, Leslie, Marcus,  Dr. Yaznik, Jennifer, Mark, Bill, Ann Marie, Carolyn, Lisa, Steve, Brian, Carrie, Jamie, Rob, Billy, Allison, Dave, Jack, Landyn, Cat, the entire McCarthy family, all the docs at Brigham & Womens, all Matt’s former teammates, and soooo many more! Thank you!