Dearest friend, As you would have known by now, Eugene has decided to embark on this topical steroid withdrawal journey. He is, as of the 22nd February 2013, no longer applying the steroid creams - those which he had been fervently using over ths years. He is a few days past 100 days into this journey. From the very moment he ceased usage of the creams, he knew what he was pitting himself against. He knew that the going ahead would be an arduous learning experience. He was fearful and apprehensive. But he is certain that this was the only way out. He understood and appreciated the implications of his decision. He desperately yearn to be healed, to be liberated from the clutches of this persistent and ruthless abnormality that has been a constant plague in his life all this while, inadvertently compromising on the quality of his life. He should and would be brimming with positive energy, if not for eczema. Eczema has been the prominent blight in his life thus far, but he is adamant that it won't be for long. Like a phoenix nearing the end of its life, it settles into its nest of twigs which then burns ferociously, reducing bird and nest to ashes. And from those ashes, a fledgling phoenix rises - renewed and reborn. Eugene is looking forward to his 21st birthday, the day he hopes to be reborn.
For the past 100 odd days, he has experienced numerous flares with intermittent respites of varying degrees and duration. The first 2 flares were honestly bad experiences - horrendous ones. Going through that really plunged him into a sink of abysmal despair. Through support from close ones and the assurance from God, he got through that phase. Since then, it has been two steps forward and one step back. He is currently into flare number 7, the flare which has long outlasted its welcome. We are confident that, after all this ups and downs, he will ultimately be healed; as evident in the numerous testimonies and anecdotal evidences. Though the unpredictable and whimsical nature of this journey has given his psyche a hard beating. He is greatly humbled to be a child of God. He may be down and out, but his is not ready to give up. We ascertain that he should be approximately 30% into this journey. Better days lie ahead. With continual support from us and most importantly unwavering faith in the father, I am sure he will pull through.
He is currently working while giving tuition on some days. Business as usual. A brave young lad really! However tough life may be, he takes them in his stride, almost nonchalantly. Albeit I can sense the fatigue and occasional despair - well disguised beneath the blithe and optimistic facade. The look in his eyes when he is alone failed to belie the fact that he is but a human. His biggest worry now is the mandatory camp which he has to participate somewhere in July. May things pen out smoothly for him. For now, he is focused on seeing out the remaining 1 month of his 3 month contract, thereafter he will have a well deserved rest, before school starts all over in August.
Do keep him in your prayer. We will continue to pray for him. May he recover swiftly and in time for his 21st, in time for a new beginning. "Suffering and joy teach us, if we allow them, how to make the leap of empathy, which transports us into the soul and heart of another person. In those transparent moments we know other people's joy and sorrows, and we care about their concerns as if they were our own" - Fritz Williams
