40 Days of Prayer - Day 5

 "...seeing that His divine power
has granted to us everything pertaining

to life and godliness,
through the true knowledge of Him who called us

by His own glory and excellence."

2 Peter 1:3

This has been a favorite verse of mine since early homeschooling days when there were times I just didn't feel I could do what I needed to do, be who I needed to be, carry on with the day-to-day stuff that sapped my energy with a houseful of little ones.  It admonished me that I have been given everything - everything - I need to do this life and be godly in it.  And it is only by the true knowledge of Him.

I'm reminded of this again in the midst of these health struggles.  He's given me everything I need to deal with life and godliness -- in Himself.

This morning when I was praying, an idea came to me that I believe I will use to help in communicating with two of my doctors.  Writing letters to them explaining the chronology of recent past events in my health, and expressing my ideas and concerns for treatment based on the information I have been gathering.  It is easier for me to write than talk when I am dealing with this kind of stuff.  I have a tendency to get stressed and leave stuff out or muddle my points when faced with the feeling of having to hurry up and stay within the time frame of a medical appointment.  This way, they would already have my thoughts in front of them and we could just discuss them.

Other than that, there is no new news.  I was able to get out today and go to the Farmer's Market and hear the band play.  That was awesome.  And after a strange conversation with a woman there, I laughed really, really hard.  Laughter is good medicine.  :-)

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Dale's job interview tomorrow morning (Wednesday)

~ Clarity in writing the letters.

~ Continued guidance in what comes next.

Thank you for praying!  I feel the covering.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 4

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

James 1:17

"Dear Lord, for all the gifts that we never see clearly
or understand much

or appreciate hardly at all, bless You."

Brian Doyle

From my journal regarding the above quote from Brian Doyle ~

Thank You for that.  Another reminder of good gifts.  Everything from Your hand is intended for my benefit.  Nothing is a bad gift.  Nothing.  So please help me to always say "Thank You" -- for everything -- no matter what it looks like, because You only give good gifts and You are incapable of making a mistake with my life.
~ Peace.  Awesome. ~

So, I am thanking the Lord today for the gift of the time I spent talking with a friend about her experiences with adrenal/thyroid issues, and for the reading I've been doing this evening about the same.  The fact that I can learn about this sitting at my dining table is amazing.  What a blessing.  It is enabling me to make progress on what I mentioned yesterday regarding gaining a greater understanding of these issues.  

The more I read about adrenal fatigue, the more the shoe fits.  A number of the symptoms associated with this condition are a familiar list to me.  As are those on the hypothyroid list.  It appears the two often go hand-in-hand.  It is possible that these two conditions are the root cause of many of my issues.  Stomach, poor absorption, low B-12 and D levels, etc.  From my perspective, it would be awesome if the answer were as "simple" as that. There remain questions in my mind about how best to treat these conditions, so I'll continue to learn as much as I can so I can intelligently talk with my doctor(s) about it. 

I have an appointment with my PCP on Friday to go over test results, providing they are in by then, and I'll be talking with her about the gall bladder thing then, and possibly the adrenal/thyroid connection.

So, not much has changed with how I'm feeling.  Still dealing with the heart pounding and the dizziness thing.  My stomach is up and down.  Very tired.  Fatigued.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Continued prayer regarding God's leading on how to proceed and the securing of a supportive local doctor.

~ Perseverance in adversity and infirmity.  Peter says that perseverance brings about Godliness, and I'm all for that!  Paul says that it results in hope, and hope does not disappoint.  That is comforting.

Thank you again for praying.  You are awesome.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 3

How great is Your goodness,
which You have stored up for those who fear You,

which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,
before the sons of men!

Psalm 31:19

Dale and I spent a lot of time talking this morning about where we go from here, what we want to pursue, and how to go about all of it.

There are many people who have made suggestions and expressed concerns, for which we are very grateful.  So much food for thought.  There is enough information coming in that we're having a hard time determining what the best course of action should be.

Before us are two things we feel we need to pursue this week.

1. Gall bladder testing information.

2. A greater understanding of the thyroid/adrenal issue and how best to treat it.

Another consideration is whether we should pursue going to UW Medical Center, if we can get an insurance referral and authorization, for extensive testing on a number of fronts.  Some of it is just timing.  There are several tests that were run this past week for which we just need to wait a week or so to see the results.  Some of those results could give us direction.

And yet another is that we would be able to find a doctor locally who would be willing to oversee all the different aspects of my health, including naturopathic options, someone who is easily accessible, knows me (or is willing to take the time to get to know me) and is willing to listen to our concerns about treatment options.  It is hard going to 4 different doctors without a real "hub," so to speak.

As far as how I'm currently doing, I continue to have bouts of heart palpitations and slight dizziness, but am also pretty functional much of the time.  I've been able to participate in family activities for the past couple of days, which has been awesome.  The bouts are unpredictable, just coming upon me at odd times.  It's kind of like when something happens to really startle you and your stomach jumps and your heart races or thumps for awhile.  Adrenaline rush type stuff.  But it isn't quite the same. It usually lasts for quite awhile.  My stomach remains much the same, though I am adding some different foods into my diet based on the fact that I don't have gastritis or ulcers.  That's pretty nice.  :-)

Thank you so much for praying.  We are very, very grateful, and are aware of the covering right now.  It's awesome.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ That we would be able to discern God's voice in how He wants us to proceed.

~ That God would grant us a local doctor to the specifications listed above.

~ Looking ahead to Wednesday, that Dale's interview with Catholic Services will go well and that he will get the job.  Soon.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 2

"Since I have heard of it, I have not ceased to pray that you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of Him, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Him."

Colossians 1:9-10

Last night when I was googling about adrenal and thyroid treatment, I came across a website that explains the relationship between adrenal fatigue and the part it plays in the ability of the body to use thyroid hormone properly.  Adequate adrenal function enables thyroid to be absorbed into the cells in our bodies.  If there is inadequate adrenal function (adrenal fatigue), the thyroid present in our bodies isn't able to do its job.

Something clicked for me when I read that.  I have been on T3, because my T3 levels are very low.  But I ended up with what could be thyroid overdose symptoms.  Hmmmm.  My adrenal levels are also low.  Could it be that because of adrenal fatigue, the thyroid I've been taking has been unusable, and therefore has been accumulating in my body, resulting in thyroid overdose symptoms?  My doctor has prescribed meds to boost my adrenals.  I'm doing some reading about all that now, too.

The other thing that struck me in my reading on the website, is that one of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue/low thyroid function is poor absorption in the intestines.  Another big "Hmmmmmmmm."  Could my gut issues be caused by the adrenal/thryroid connection?

Some pieces of the picture seem to be falling into place in my mind.  One of the main causes of adrenal fatigue is stress.  Unusual life stress.  Last year I went through the hardest, most stressful period of time in my life.  Bar none. Including Junior High.  No joke.  At the end of that six month period of time, having felt pretty well following the removal of dairy and gluten from my diet, my health just fell apart.  Stomach, back, fatigue. Etc., etc.  Could it be that the major stress was the factor that torched my adrenals/thyroid, and then took its toll on my gut?  It seems like a valid possibility.

Today's Prayer Request:

That God would reveal to us the root cause(s) of the issues I'm dealing with.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 1

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad."

Psalm 126:3

The upper GI endoscopy went well.  I am learning that the Catholic hospitals and medical centers are places of sweetness and compassion.  In this past week, I have had two very good experiences with caring doctors and staff.

The procedure was short, I was comfortable, and the results are interesting.  At least to me!

"Esophagus, stomach, duodenum looked good.  Biopsy taken to rule out celiac disease.  Follow up with PCP."

I was pretty out of it when I came out of anesthesia, so of course didn't ask all the questions I should have.  I called the attending nurse later in the afternoon to ask a few, and she was very helpful.

There is no evidence of gastritis (!!) or ulcers, either in the stomach or duodenum.  The small intestine doesn't look diseased, but the biopsy will tell whether there is celiac present or not.

While I am glad that there is no gastritis present, and no ulcers, this begs the question of what is causing my stomach distress?  And if there is no celiac disease, the absorption problems in my intestines?

 As the nurse and I continued to talk, she told me that the symptoms I'm displaying are similar to those she had experienced before she had her gall bladder removed.  That was an entirely new thought.  Not something any health care professional has mentioned to this point.  So, we will be taking a look at that in the coming week.

Indeed, the Lord does great things, and we are glad.

Today's Prayer Request:

That we'd be able to investigate the gall bladder possibility quickly and effectively.

40 Days of Prayer - Day "T - Minus 1"

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

2 Corinthians 4:7-11

Still dealing with heart palpitations, dizziness and nausea and spending much of my time on my bed. Even reading is more than I feel like doing much of the time. Just so tired.

 

I had a couple of conversations with concerned friends, and talked with one about the thyroid/adrenal connection as regards my symptoms. Very helpful and I will be doing some reading on what she has shared with me.

Dale and I spent time talking about options for dealing with the delay in getting the endoscopy, and decided to try to see my PCP and ask her how she thinks it should be handled. Blessedly, she was able to see me after lunch.

As always, she was compassionate and caring, and agreed that to wait six weeks would be fool-hardy, given the severity of my situation. She then arranged for me to have the procedure done tomorrow afternoon at the hospital with a local doctor. So, that is how tomorrow will be spent.

40 Days of Prayer - Day "T - Minus 2"

"Do not fear or be dismayed,
for the battle is not yours but God's.
You need not fight in this battle;
station yourselves, stand and see
the salvation of the LORD on your behalf.
Do not fear or be dismayed;
tomorrow go out to face them,
for the LORD is with you."
2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Today I went to see a gastroenterologist in Longview regarding my stomach issues. The visit was fine, a raft of blood tests was run to determine a number of things (including celiac panel), and an upper GI edoscopy was scheduled for July 21, six weeks out.

SIX WEEKS?! Wow. Rather discouraging when it seems that determining what's going on in my stomach is crucial to my current situation.

The heart palpitations, dizziness and nausea continue to be a factor, the fight to keep weight on rages, and -- oh -- my head has been pretty foggy. To wit--

Funny Moment (now): While with the gastroenterologist, she asked me about family history. She got to my mom and wanted to know if she was living or not and what illnesses she had and cause of death. The normal litany. My answer?

"She is deceased. She died of................umm..........hmmmm.......she died of...........uhhh.........hmmm.......... Ah. Alzheimer's Disease." :-)

Hope and humor keep me going.