Dennis: She is one of fifty people with a rare life-threatening chronic illness. Today on Passages, Nancy shares her battle for life.

Nancy: One of the symptoms of Wellmen's Disease is malabsorbing protein and fats. And that leads to a lot of weakness.

Dennis: And even death. This is Passages. I'm Dennis Benson. Today, Nancy, an ex-nurse, shares her battle with a rare life-threatening illness.

Nancy: A physician in Grand Rapids inserted a catheter into the main vessels of my heart, and I get nutrition through my vein.

Dennis: This special medication costs $15,000 a month.

Nancy: I carry a small pump and 1200 CC's of fluid in a backpack. And I have my backpack with me during the day.

Dennis: She leads a support group to help others, is a church deacon, and studies New Testament Greek.

Nancy: I can't take it at night like most people do who are on TPM. My body can't adjust to the fluid level. So, I carry it during the day when I'm active and out and about.

Dennis: Nancy's compassion for others is a challenge from your Presbyterian and United Methodist friends.

© Copyright by Dennis C. Benson, (616) 399-0432