Next steps.....

We live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

As you sit quietly in my Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance.  I will never run out of resources; My capacity to bless you is unlimited.  It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions: the fullness of My glorious riches.  Even now you have access to as much of Me as you have faith to receive.  Rejoice in My abundance--living by faith, not by sight.

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Just a quick update here for all of you.  My appointment with Doctor #8 went well on Tuesday, I think.  He is a good listener and conservative in his approach to testing beyond the immediate things he sees as necessary.  Two particular types of testing are what we are pursuing right now.  Blood anti-body tests for food allergens and a DNA stool test which is able to determine things beyond the normal cultured stool tests.  He's looking for food allergens in three different antibody types, and the stool tests look for bacteria, yeast and parasites, and a number of things related to them.  We won't know anything for 3-4 weeks and then at that point I'll be able to eliminate the foods indicated as allergens and start whatever treatment is indicated for the revealed bowel ecology issues.

I am cautiously optimistic.  There've been a number of times where we've thought, "Aha!  This is the problem and when we treat it, I'll be headed for feeling better," but each time has brought the reverse.  So, we walk by faith, not by sight, knowing that God has this covered and whatever He desires for me will be played out.

Thanks for your faithfulness in praying for us.  When I talk with those of you I see and you ask how I'm doing, letting me know of your continued support in prayer, it encourages me so much.  We are greatly blessed by all of you.

Doctor Number Eight!

"For I am the LORD, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

'Do not fear; I will help you.' "

Isaiah 41:13

Do not long for the absence of problems in your life.  That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble.  You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven.  Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth.

Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter.  The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours.  Discuss everything with Me.  Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle.  Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world.

Sarah Young in Jesus Calling

Once again, Jesus Calling has hit the mark in my heart. Especially that second paragraph. "Discuss everything with Me...see trouble as a challenge that you and I together can handle."  The aspect of drawing near to Him to tap into His strength and power.  Mine doesn't cut it.  Never has and never will.  Just that thought is comforting.  Climbing up in His lap and letting Him rock me as we work through the issues.  Every. Minute.

So, a little update here.  

Since I last wrote almost a month ago, we have been sitting before the Lord, asking Him to please make clear the next step.  We considered another round of herbal antibiotics, considered seeing a local ND and also the possibility of going to the IBS Treatment Center in the Seattle area.  After considerable prayer, thinking and talking, we've decided to pursue the IBS Center.  I had a phone consult with the doctor last week and will travel to Seattle next week for an intake appointment and a litany of tests.  Once again we find ourselves in a place of hope that this next part of the journey will reveal truth in my situation.  It is also difficult, because we've felt this way many times before, but to no avail.

Blessedly, the Lord allowed a two-week respite for me in which I felt as well as I have for a long time.  The nausea has closed in again, but it was so good to be free of it for those days.  Perhaps Doctor #8, with his powerhouse of testing, will be able to solve the mystery of what ails me.  We'd surely appreciate prayer in that direction.

Bless each of you for your continued prayer and support in our lives.  We are so very grateful for you.

This is the day the Lord has made.....

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

"Begin the day with open hands of faith, ready to receive all that I am pouring into this brief portion of your life.  Be careful not to complain about anything, since I am the Author of your circumstances.  The best way to handle  unwanted situations is to thank Me for them.  This act of faith frees you from resentment and frees Me to work My ways into the situation so that good emerges from it.

To find Joy in this day, you must live within its boundaries.  I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four-hour segments.  I understand human frailty, and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time.  Do not worry about tomorrow or get stuck in the past.  There is abundant Life in My Presence today."

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I need these reminders today, to thank Him for unwanted situations and to not worry about tomorrow.  I find myself in a place where it would be easy to succumb to tears of frustration and to descend into melancholy over the seemingly endless journey of my health issues.

I finished the course of "big guns" antibiotic treatment last week and then took the SIBO breath test again on Monday.  I talked with my doctor today via Skype to get the results and discuss the findings.

There are two elements the breath test evaluates: methane and hydrogen.  Both are indicators in SIBO.  The first test showed moderate to severe levels of both.  The second test showed elevated levels of both, pushing the results to the severe level.  This third test shows that the methane is at a negative level which means it's under control.  The hydrogen levels, however, have spiraled way up.  The numbers will tell you more than I can.  From first test to third, these are the findings: 51 - 71 - 144.  So, the hydrogen has more than doubled while using the big guns.  My doctor is at a loss to understand what is going on.  She hopes to talk about my case with the doctor under whom she has studied about SIBO.  Meanwhile, we will be trying another herbal antibiotic and seeing a local doctor next week for some further testing.  In the midst, I am seeing no improvement in my symptoms.  Still up and down with good and bad days.  No rhyme or reason to either.

As Jessie says, "We need Doctor Jesus."  Amen.

How you can pray:

1. Bolstering of my faith and spirits.

2. That my doctor would be able to talk with the specialist in LA about my case.

3. That testing will reveal something if there's something else going on.

4. That God will provide the resources we need to continue this journey.

5. That all of us in our family will feel the encouragement and comfort of the Lord in the midst.

Thank you so much for praying.  Bless each of you.

Day 9 Update

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

It's day 9 today of antibiotic treatment.  More than halfway through this course.  

I am feeling really crummy today.  Yesterday wasn't great either.  Long-standing low-level headache, nausea and fatigue.  My doctor has been in touch with me, which I greatly appreciate, and we're walking through the issues.

Thanks for praying.  Perseverance and trust.  Peace and joy.  These are things I desire.  John 16:33 gives me encouragement!  He's overcome the world, and He has made me an overcomer by His Spirit.  

"Lead on, Jesus.  And thank You for the unfathomable gift of Your love and sacrifice as we anticipate the joy of remembering Your resurrection."  He is Risen!

Day 3 Update on Meds

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Just a quick update......

I'm on day 3 of the "big guns" and doing okay so far.  Dale and I were both really anxious on Wednesday about one of the meds and the possible severe side-effects.  So much so that I decided I needed to call my doctor and talk with her about it.  She returned my call the next morning (yesterday) and was able to explain why she is comfortable prescribing this particular med (neomycin).

The FDA warnings include the possibility of kidney problems and hearing loss.  When she went through treatment, she had the same concerns, obviously, and when she began treating SIBO patients, she had real questions as to whether this drug was actually okay to prescribe.  She took about a year to research the FDA claims, and the conclusion she has drawn indicates that the IV form of neomycin is indeed plagued with the very real and documented risk of kidney issues and hearing loss, however, the oral meds have no history of causing the same issues.  She talked with many pharmacists, doctors, and members of one other entity, the identity of which I'm not remembering.  They all confirm that they have seen no incidence of kidney or hearing issues in the use of oral neomycin.  This has been a great relief to us.

As of today, Day 3, I am not experiencing any of the other potentially nasty side-effects.  I'm just really tired.  And as Dale says, that's the easiest of the possibilities to deal with.  I agree!

Thanks so much for praying for us.  I'll keep you updated as we go.

Medication Update

I have strength for all things

in Christ Who empowers me

[I am ready for anything and equal to anything

through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; 

I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

Phillippians 4:13 AMP

"Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth;

it is living in continual dependence on Me.

Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold,

relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing.

This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me

and find what I have planned for you to do.

This is far better than trying to make things go

according to your own plan."

Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

On almost a daily basis, Jesus Calling - the devotional by Sarah Young - ministers to me.  This particular passage from March 16th, especially so.  I am a "plan and organize" person.  Or I guess I should say I have been.  In the past couple of years as we've walked this challenging health pathway, I have had to abandon my plans and my organizing tendencies over and over again.  The encouragement to live in continual dependence on God instead of trying to fit the days into preconceived molds, and watching for what He is doing and following His plan, really hit home.  Thank You, Jesus, for Your awesome good Words to me.  To us all.

After 2 1/2 months of waiting on doctors and insurance company policy, we have obtained a pre-approval for the "big guns" medications.  The insurance company has agreed to pay half of the cost of the $800+ medication and I will start that, coupled with another med, tomorrow.  We would greatly appreciate prayer on a few fronts.

First, that the meds will actually do their job and eradicate the bacterial overgrowth in one course.  We don't want to have to pay for a second course with the cost so steep, nor do we want the meds in my system any longer than the first two weeks.

Second, one of these meds has potentially serious side-effects, and we're praying protection from that.  As in hearing loss and kidney problems.

Third, that my gut will respond favorably to these antibiotics in that I won't experience the unpleasantness of diarrhea or severe constipation, and that there will be no yeast overgrowth.

Fourth, that I'll be able to discern what supplements and other intestinal tract helps are needed at specific times to guard against all of the above.

I will keep you all posted as we go through these next two weeks.  Thanks so much for praying.  I know I say it often, but we really don't know where we'd be without the prayers of the saints.  Bless you, each one.

Quietness and trust.....

There is no real change in anything at this point.  Still waiting on medication and insurance snafus.  Hopefully in another couple of weeks we'll know more.

I mostly just want to share this devotional from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  It ministered to me greatly.  It's all stuff I need to keep learning (or re-learning!).  This time around, something that really caught my eye and heart from Isaiah 30 is the last phrase, "but you would have none of it."

"Repentance and rest, quietness and trust....but you would have none of it."

I battle the voices of my youth which shout that it's not okay to be quiet and rest.  "Busy-ness is the most important thing.  Getting things accomplished is where worth lies.  With achievement comes approval."  And on and on.  So, God's voice needs to be louder than the others, and defeat them.  I don't want to be accused by Him of "having none of it," ........the things that are important to Him.  I need to learn deep down that it's really okay to be quiet and rest and not feel guilty when I am sitting reading or quilting of an afternoon.  Because that is where He has me right now.

So, here you go.....

Jesus Calling - February 16

Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still.  Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again.  Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells.  Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances.  Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.

Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you.  Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me.  Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms.  My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness. 

Be still before the Lord, all mankind,

because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.

Zechariah 2:13

This is what the Sovereign Lord,

the Holy One of Israels, says:

"In repentance and rest is your salvation,

in quietness and trust is your strength,

but you would have none of it.

Isaiah 30:15

But He said to me,

My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you

[sufficient against any danger and enables you to
bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power
are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves
most effective in [your] weakness.

Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses
and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ
(the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP