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April 22, 2006

 

"Tough times don't last, tough people do."

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. 

They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31

The battle against my GI Tract problem continues.   I was out of the hospital for a few days, but this Monday I had to come back in because the diarrhea just wouldn't subside.   Doctors put me on 48 hours of nothing by mouth and gave all of my medicines IV.   On Friday, I began to eat normal meals and boy did that feel great.   I went all day without a bowel movement, and felt things were on their way back to normal.   Sadly, by Saturday night my bowels became totally liquid again, showing I wasn't absorbing the foods I was eating.   This has been the most down I've been in a while and I am struggling with the fears of not being able to get through this.   However, giving up is not even in my vocabulary.   I will fight and fight until my GI system is right.   Currently they are back to no food or drink by mouth and are feeding me through a special IV called a Pick Line.   A Pick Line is a larger line that is inserted in the brachial vein under the upper arm and threaded through to the superior vena cava.   I can receive nutrition through this line as well as medications.   I can also have blood drawn from this line as well.   The following explains the process I went through to have the line installed. I was awake and it was fairly painless.

 

 

Now that the Pick Line is place they will be feeding me nutrients 24 hours a day which will help me regain and maintain my strength until they can resolve the problems I am having with my GI Tract.   I am hopeful this will be soon.   I want to be back to my home and my family as well as my job teaching.

 

Another test that was run to examine my GI Tract was an Endocopy.   In this test they ran a camera down my throat, through my stomach, and into my small intestines.   Once again, the magical drug, Verced, got me through this exciting procedure.   Tests showed there may be a little GVH, but otherwise pretty clear.   I'll know more in a couple of days.

 

 

 

Al these recent challenges I face and the intense fears that come along with are overwhelming.   I have experienced some very low emotions today.   I have felt discouraged, afraid, and hopeless.   I am so very afraid right now.   I know the way through these lows is to pray for the Lord to lift me up and carry me through this difficult time.   I have also learned that the support of family and friends is huge.   So I am grateful to everyone who is thinking about me, praying for me, and helping me and my family through this.   We are so grateful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers,

blesses you with love and encourages you with hope."

 

 

 

 

 

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