Rhodora M. Fitzgerald's Blog

Cystic Fibrosis is a horrible disease. You could help sav...

Cystic Fibrosis is a horrible disease. You could help save a young mother's life with your donations!

http://www.wnem.com/story/26877848/ill-mother-seeks-donations-for-double-lung-transplant

Love, Life, God...and Cystic Fibrosis

The older I get, the more reflective I become on the important things in life. At some point in life, the trivial things I once fussed over have become forgotten morsels of my past, and things like God and family have become the forefront of my existence. I wonder in amazement at the Supreme being that created us, and I become more thankful by the day for the life He has granted me with. His grace has surrounded me my entire life.

One of the things I am most thankful for is the health of my children. When Rachel was born, she had jaundice. This is a common condition of many infants, so initially we were not worried. When Rachel's bilirubin levels became dangerously high, the doctors began to talk about possible blood transfusion. Fortunately, her levels dropped on their own and no transplant was needed. Rachel grew to become a happy, healthy teen. Then the year she graduated high school, she became sick. For months we and the doctor's struggled to figure out what was wrong with her. Why at the age of 19 years was she having trouble getting out of bed in the morning? Why did she physically slide her back down the wall as she descended the steps in the morning, one foot at time? Why did she cry because her joints were hurting her so bad that she could barely move before her morning massage and hot shower? The doctor's finally answered these questions and many more with the diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder. MCTD is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks it's own healthy tissues. After months of trial an error, the doctor's finally found the 'magic formula' of drugs that eased her incurable disease. She took these drugs for 9 years before the doctor's were able to ease her off of them. At current date, she has been drug and symptom free for 6 months. We have high hopes that she will stay in remission for a very long time. I'm thankful every day for the God that placed the wonderful doctor's in her life. She has received exceptional care.

My son, Josh, was also touched by the grace of God when he suffered a broken leg in a car accident in his 21st year of life. Josh's femur was completely shattered, and he underwent emergency surgery. The hand of God was obviously at work through the wonderful doctor who put the permanent steel rod in Josh's leg. The bone has healed itself around the rod, and although he will always walk with a slight limp, his life was spared in that accident and for that we will be forever grateful!

These health issues seemed almost unbearable at the time, but now... looking back, I realize how manageable they really were in comparison to the struggles I see others dealing with. My cousin's daughter was born 31 years ago with Cystic Fibrosis. She is married and has 2 boys, ages 5 years and 18 months. Nedra has been in the hospital countless times throughout her life and currently she is awaiting a double lung transplant. Without the transplant, she will not live to see her boys grow up. My heart goes out to Nedra and her family. Her struggle makes me focus on what's important in this life. Life is important! Love is important! Family is important! God is important!

Nedra's life has taken her down a bumpy road, and it's not about to smooth out anytime soon. Nedra has a gofundme account.... if anyone reading this blog would like to donate a few dollars to help ease the financial burden that she is dealing with on top of the physical struggle she endures daily, please follow the link below. All donations will be greatly appreciated by this family! If you don't have funds to make a donation.. please say a prayer for Nedra! Thanks for reading.. and God Bless!

http://www.gofundme.com/e4sxd0

Book Trailer for 'Rubber Duck Finds Christmas'

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!
I have a lot to be thankful for today and every day! My advice.... Remember to always be thankful... and always remind yourself, no matter how bad of a day/week/month/year you are having, it could always be worse. Keep your chin up, and notice the good and the positive and things will improve.

Today I'd like to share with you, the book trailer for my new children's Christian themed Christmas book.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITSacIUbp5Y

I hope you enjoy it!

God Bless! And Happy Thanksgiving!

Latest book release!

I've been working on a fun project...and today I'm happy to announce that 'Rubber Duck Finds Christmas' is available in both paperback and ebook on Amazon. This is a cute little Christian story for your little ones this Christmas season. It's great as a read-to for kids between 3 and 6 years, and will also be enjoyed by older children that can read. I hope you enjoy the story. I welcome any feedback. Thanks for looking! Rhodora

Quest for the Glow

After much time and effort, I'm happy to announce the sequel to Willow Crossing is finally finished. 'Quest for the Glow' is book 2 of the Willow Crossing trilogy. It is currently available in ebook and paperback form on Amazon. You can check it out on the carousel to the right. I have also resumed work on book 3. Be on the look out for the final book 'Nameless Nickels' later this year.

Newtown Connecticut

Today my heart truly bleeds. I live in Michigan. Geographically, I am far from the tragedy that is unfolding at this moment in Newtown Connecticut where a gunman has attacked an elementary school, but spiritually speaking...I am there. The news hasn't been fully reported yet, so I won't attempt to give any details or statistics. I just can't understand what makes a human being act so violently against other human beings, not to mention how disturbing it is when that 'animal' murders a classroom of innocent children. What causes a person to have no respect for life... be it the life of others or their own?

My favorites!

Amazon.com Widgets

Quest for the Glow

Quest for the GlowIt's taken a lot longer that I wanted, but Quest for the Glow is finally published in ebook form on Amazon.  The paperback version will follow, as soon as the chapter artwork is finished.  If you haven't read Willow Crossing yet, it is FREE until midnight tonight (December 1st).  If you're ready to pick up your e-copy of Quest for the Glow... you can get it here... http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Glow-Willow-Crossing-ebook/dp/B00AFA9B96/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354416545&sr=8-1&keywords=quest+for+the+glow 
Book three is well under way.  If you've enjoyed your visits to E.Magi.Nation, then you will want to watch for the release of Nameless Nickels, where several characters from each of the first two books come together for one final journey... a journey with a purpose!  Thanks for reading!

Brian's House

I have to post this story, because it's very near and dear to my heart!  This is the story of Brian's House.
Brian's House is (or was until September 4,2012) a Hospice home for the terminally ill.  The place was founded by Jo Ann and Ken Straub at the dying wish of their son Brian.  Brian's wish was that the terminally ill would have a place of comfort to go when the time of death was near.  In 1996, Ken and Jo Ann Straub, along with the help of volunteers, opened and successfully ran Brian's House.  My parents personally knew the couple that opened this wonderful place. 

In 2009, my father spent his last days at Brian's House.  Brian's House provided a hospitable atmosphere, where a person could die in comfort and peace, while keeping their dignity.  Brian's House was also a supportive place where family members could remain by their loved ones side until the last moment and even beyond.  Every room at Brian's House was decorated in a different, homelike theme.  There was no 'hospital feel' to it at all.  Anyone who knows the story behind this place is sure to share in the grief in its closing.  Brian's house is/was a peaceful, loving 'home' run by a compassionate staff. 

I'll never forget my Dad's last meal at Brian's House. Although the backyard grill had already been packed away for the winter, when my father requested steak... the chef at Brian's House went above and beyond as he pulled the grill out of storage and fired it up. Dad got his steak the night before he went to Heaven!

Now there is talk that because of an outpouring of community support, Brian's House may reopen!   
If you follow this link... http://www.change.org/petitions#search/brians house (and type Brians House into the 'browse petitions' spot) you can sign the petition and help keep a wonderful service going!  

New Artist

Work is slowly continuing on the second book.  Things were delayed a little because my original artist didn't have time to dedicate to my illustrations. (completely understandable)  I'm a bit sad about it, because I was very pleased with the work she did on 'Willow Crossing', but at the same time I'm excited to be working with a new artist.  I have my fingers crossed that 'Quest for the Glow' will have a cover soon and can be released for the kindle.  Once that is completed, we will be working on chapter illustrations for the paperback.  In the meantime, the third book 'Nameless Nickels' is well under way.