January 12, 2009, Nashville, TN, 5:38 a.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Wayne Wright here.  I haven't written in my journal since before Thanksgiving; sorry about the lapse in journaling!

I haven't had time.  Seems my life lately is one long, big therapy session.  Have to have physical therapy three times a week at the hospital; it wipes me out.  Afterwards, I spend a lot of time sleeping.  I also have to have breathing treatments (every day) and physiotherapy, where nurses come and pound on me like I was a slab of meat (they do this every day, twice a day, an hour a pop).

Ever since my last round with pneumonia, my lungs are very weak.  It doesn't take much for them to start twitching, acting up.  I have to use oxygen exclusively now, just for precaution.  Even during the day I have to use it.

Wherever I go, the oxygen goes with me.

Of course, the kids don't like it, but what can they do about it?  I can't do anything about it except lean on the Lord, trust in Him, and pray that He gets me through this. 

I have to see my lung doctor every month, to keep tabs on how I'm doing.  That's all I've done lately:  go to doctor's appointments or to therapy.  *Sigh*

I'm using my scooter more than my crutches.  I'm afraid my body will no longer hold me up.  It's a rare thing now when I use my crutches.  I sure do miss walking, but it's better than the alternative:  lying around in bed, and lately that's something I have done a lot of!

My kidneys, on the other hand, work great.  Even my new one I got two years ago.  No problems using the john, none, whatsoever!  I am indeed a fortunate man!  :)

We had a quiet Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Nobody but us.  My sister called those days; they're doing okay; they have their bad days as well as good.  I told her I still loved her, and that I still pray for them every day, which I do!

It was nice to hear from Audrey.  It made my holidays just a little bit nicer.

I have been enjoying my children.  Mwugu, Brookie, and Em have gotten so big!  Seems like only yesterday when the girls were in diapers; now they're in school, enjoying life! 

As for little Mwugu, he's not so little anymore:  he's going to be very tall:  he's already one of the tallest kids in his grade!  He's even taller than his sisters, even though he's the youngest member of our family!

Mwugu is complaining about his name:  he feels different, strange.  "How many kids do I know with my name?" he'll ask me.  "I don't like it; I want to be called Toby!  I want to sound like I'm from America!"

He knows he is adopted; maybe this is why he wants to have his name changed.  Maybe then he'd feel more like a member of this family. 

Poor little guy:  I'm going to have to be very supportive of him, not to mention, his innermost feelings!

Sarah and I have been discussing the possibility of changing Mwugu's name to Tobias Mwugu Wright, but that would mean more paperwork, more court dates.  *Sigh*  Here we go again!  (We went through it with Brookie; now we may go through it again with our son!)

Through my latest illness/recovery period, my church family, neighbors have been popping in, checking on me, offering their love, support, prayers.  It's been heavenly!  I've been eating like a pig due to all the food they've brought me!  I'm getting a bit snug in the middle; my pants are getting very tight!  May have to go to the next size up!  *Sigh* 

Time to go on a diiiiiiiiiet, Wayne!

Well, I am going to go.  Have therapy at seven; have to get ready.  Seems that my therapy/doctor's visits never end!  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Wayne checkin' out of here.  Take care and God bless!  Please keep those prayers coming; they're really helping a lot!  I appreciate them so much!

~Wayne.  :)