Sunday, March 16, 2014

She Get It From Her Mama…and Daddy

Juvenile recorded the song, She Get It From Her Mama circa 2006. In this song, he and another young man are asking questions about a young female. 
Where she get her eyes from? She get it from her mama. 
Where she learn to cook from? She get it from her mama. 
Where she get her class from? She get it from her mama. 
Where she learn how to dress from? She get it from her mama. 
Where she get that walk from? She get it from her mama.
Where she get that talk from? She get it from her mama. 
I wonder why she so crazy…She get it from her mama…

Let's look at what Juvenile has to say. Yes, all of these qualities or traits this young lady "gets from her mama". Some are inherited (nature) and some are acquired (nurture). 
I used to teach science…what do you expect?
Some of these things she could control and some just happened to her by chance. 

As I take care of my dad and look back at my mom, I look at my life and wonder, could this be me one day?

My father was diagnosed with mental illness when I was eight years old. He was placed in an institution and as a family, we kept it a secret and went on with life as usual. Mental illness has genetic inheritance.  When I was younger, I would say that I was not feeling well. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling. I just knew something was wrong. I went to various doctors and they could not find anything wrong. What was going on was more mental than anything else. This was the beginning of my struggle with mental illness…my anxiety and depression. I did not get professionally diagnosed until I went to college.

My mother had ovarian cancer. This is also hereditary. The risk factors for this type of cancer include the following.
·      Started menstruating at an early age (before 12) CHECK
·      Has not given birth to any children. CHECK
·      Had her first child after age 30. ummm see the above bullet
·      Has never taken oral contraceptive pills. NOT for long periods of time.
·      First degree relative with ovarian cancer. CHECK
·      Obese DOUBLE CHECK
In the words of Florida Evans from the television show Good Times “Damn, Damn, Damn!”
I’ve got things coming at me from both sides. Don’t get me started on diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure!

Ovarian and breast cancer risks can be tested through BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 blood tests. In the past 2 weeks, a blood test has been release to check for genetic risk for Alzheimer’s dementia.

But here’s the thing: If I get tested, what would I do with the results?
Do I do the extreme like Angelina Jolie, who has a million kids,  and remove my breasts and have a hysterectomy? Do I live my life in fear and think that every stomach cramp is cancer? When I forget what I am talking about (like I did today) or an important date, do I pop one of my dad’s Aricepts?
I cannot live my life in fear, but I cannot live my life haphazardly either. This goes back to a previous post in which I say that it is time to take care of myself. I need to make sure that I get my stress, depression and anxiety under better control. I need to eat right and live a healthier life.
I also have to pray that God will help my mind and my unbelief. I know God and I know medicine/science. It’s hard when you are a Christian living in a scientific society.
I know that God is a healer and I had a ton of people praying for my mom’s healing. In my mind, I thought it meant that she would be healed on earth. I know that God can reach down and restore my dad’s mind.  For some reason, I am sitting here in this position, living here, taking care of my dad and missing my mom. All though I don’t know any of the answers and it gets extremely hard, I just have to trust God. I have to trust God.

Lord I hear of showers of blessings
Thou art scattering full and free
Showers the thirsty souls refreshing
Let some drops now fall on me

Pass me not oh gentle savior
Sinful though my heart may be
I am longing for your favor
Whilst thou art blessing
Oh Lord
Come on and bless me

Even me Lord
Even me
Let some drops

Now fall on me

From Juvenile to Jesus! It's a journey...

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