Lafayette, Louisiana, June 9, 2010~

Tom here.  Tom Whitt.  I have been walking for the past month, trying to raise awareness to others about people who have MS (which I do; have had MS for the past ten years).  I have made it through parts of Arizona, across New Mexico, across Texas, and am now in Louisiana.  Right after we got into Lafayette, I had a bad spell; ended up in the hospital in the worst pain I had ever had in my life.  Had a nasty flare; am still getting over it now.

I am under a doctor's care; until he releases me, I can't go anywhere.  I'm basically homebound (okay, travel trailor-bound).  That means Clarabelle (wife) and my sons Mikey and P.J. (Paul-Jacues) have to entertain me and tend to me as best as they possibly can, given the circumstances.

Ever since I had my latest flare, I have felt weak and rundown.  At times, I feel like a newborn kitten.  I can barely lift my head up, let alone, move my body, without being in excruciating pain.  My wife has to feed me and care for me; in the meantime, the poor boys are left to entertain themselves while Clara tends to me, their father.  It's really a messy situation right at the moment ...

Some friends I have made here in Louisiana have offered to watch the boys for a few days.  I am seriously thinking of taking them up on their offer; we both can use a break from the kids.  The kids have been exceptionally noisy because the weather has been bad, and they're tired of being cooped up inside the travel-trailer.

Their constant bickering, screaming, and hollering are starting to give us both a nasty headache.  It's not helping my health situation at the moment; as I write this, I am shaking like a leaf, and my heart feels like it's going to leap right out from my chest.

If the fluttering sensation or the weakness doesn't abate by tomorrow, I just might have to get a hold of Dr. Ping-Yong again; something more must be going on with me.  I just don't feel right, and I don't like it one bit!!

So there's no telling when I will be able to resume my walk across the country.  I am hoping that I can, but for now, it's looking pretty doubtful at this point.  Just be praying for me (and my family); we can all use a miracle (or two)!  I'd greatly appreciate it!  And so would Clarabelle!

~Tom Whitt. :(

*to be continued.*