If you’ve wondered where I’ve been since I dropped off the face of the earth, just know, I’ve wondered too. For those who read my previous post, Lingering Light, you know I ended the article with a brief update on some health issues I’ve been dealing with. I lost most of 2025 due to an autoimmune disease called polyarticular psoriatic arthritis. In hindsight, I now realize I lost much of the previous year to aspects of the disease, ones presenting themselves in such a way that I misinterpreted what was happening to me.
On the heels of my brother’s early-onset dementia and his death in January of 2024, my “thinking” issues were concerning. Over time, it only worsened. I’m not one who fears death—at all—but to have to live as my brother had in his final year would be a fate worse than death. As my cognitive decline progressed, it was more than memory lapses, which I’ve always had. I couldn’t think. Most of the time, I couldn’t write beyond simple, high-level concepts. I could read and know what the words meant, but often I couldn’t understand what the string of words as sentences or especially paragraphs meant. I did better some days than others, but for the most part, I knew I was losing myself. My husband and I were both bracing ourselves for the likelihood of a dementia journey.
I kept it from most people. When I came to the end of a year-long Zoom group, I was relieved to step away. The last months of preparing for and participating in that group were a struggle. I stopped writing for Rapture Ready. I stopped posting on my site. I made on-again, off-again attempts at writing a fiction book, but my mind was too muddied and confused to accomplish much. Even on my best days, I was dimly lit, like there was a tiny flicker of the old me in there, but I was just not able to express myself. Thankfully, I was able to work through our home-build season making the decisions I needed to, but as for anything mentally creative, I just couldn’t function like the real me.
Going back as far as a decade, I had “flares” of something that was never diagnosed, severe issues with joint inflammation, fatigue, and mental confusion. I thought it may have been rheumatoid arthritis since my symptoms pointed in that direction, but a blood test showed negative. What I did know then was that being off wheat and gluten kept my joint inflammation under control and the flares at bay.
Fast forward to a couple of years ago, and I found I was able to eat wheat again with no joint pain. So, I dabbled. Who wouldn’t? Then dabbling turned into full-time bread and biscuit and pasta and pizza eating. I thought maybe my system had reset. My most famous line during my newly eating bread season was, “Why would I not?” Not-so-famous last words.
What I didn’t realize was that the disease that had been in remission for a few years was triggered by the wheat but was this time attacking my skin and creating inflammation in my brain. That inflammation, coupled with a low sodium issue I’ve dealt with for several years, convinced me that I was dealing with dementia. I passed the skin eruptions off as a change in soap and trudged along waiting for the worst. Thankfully, my joint inflammation resurfaced in March of ’25, cluing me in that something else may have been happening.
Still undiagnosed, I went off wheat again since I was positive that would help with my joints. It did. Once I did receive my diagnosis, I attacked back against a disease that was attacking me. I switched to a strict diet with no inflammatory foods. That wasn’t for sissies. I began taking handfuls of supplements. I did everything possible to avoid healthcare and pharmaceutical systems that have proven to me they aren’t to be trusted. Guess what? It worked. I do have issues at times, but I’m finding my flares are no more severe than those of family and friends with autoimmune diseases who are on medication.
My brain is coming back to life, at least for the most part, but I still have dimly lit days. I’m finishing that fiction book I started back in the spring of ’24. I’m excited to be posting here again. This to me is living, when I’m able to write. I keep telling those closest to me: I’m me again. I found long-lost Lisa. That’s what this post is about, reaquainting you with the excited-to-talk-to-you-again Lisa.
I don’t know the exact plan for ministry going forward, but I do know the general direction. My heart’s passion has always been to encourage, to disciple, to lift others up in a world determined to knock us down as believers. In anything and everything I’ve written, I hope I’ve always done this one thing: to remind us all to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. That’s my direction, pointing to Him and His love for us.
I’m not setting expectations for myself or setting a writing schedule. I’ve found that the overuse of my arms while weeding and even a small sinus infection both triggered the disease to begin attacking my joints again. Others with autoimmune diseases have warned me that flares will likely come when exposed to viruses and even random stimuli. With that in mind, knowing I may continue to have good days and bad days, I’m just going to let this be what it needs to be. When the Lord gives me inspiration, I’ll share it with you.
My goal today was to give a more detailed reason for my disappearance, rather than just showing back up and posting again as if nothing happened. You’re my fam, and I love you. I felt you deserved more. And I want to thank those of you who have checked in on disappearing Lisa. I haven’t been the greatest at quick responses and don’t know if I will be going forward, but just know that I do read each and every message that you send.
I look forward to a new season, hopefully one fully lit and brightly shining.
Until next time,
Lisa
