Keeping Moving Forward

If you've read any of my last posts, you know that I'm dealing with new pain and                            more not feeling well.

Naturally as I go doctor to doctor, I compare it with my experience going to doctors                        with my headache.

Some of it is the same...

     About every other doctor has an attitude problem and no bed-side manner

     I have to answer the same questions over and over... and over!

     They want to put me on medications

     Some doctors disagree with what others have already told me to do.

     Sometimes I feel like they think I imagine my pain

     Every doctor wants me to fill out more forms no matter what records are being sent

  I'm sure there's more if I spent more time thinking about it.

But this time there have been two things very different.

 1. I'm getting into the specialists VERY fast!

 2. The door to a solution has closed yet!

Let me expound on those two points.

My last post pointed out that I was waiting to hear from the Pulmonologist. I knew I had an appointment on August 14th but I was praying I could get in sooner by someone canceling.

Well... last Tuesday I got a call that someone canceled and I could go on Wednesday if I was willing. The deal was that the breathing tests were several hours before I could see the doctor.

Of course I was willing!!!

My mom and I made a day of it.

First thing I had to do was breathing tests and get an x-ray. The breathing tests took almost an hour and were a trial in themselves. But I made it through.

We had three hours before seeing the doctor so we did some shopping and ate lunch.

The tests proved that I don't have asthma and the pulmonologist doesn't think it has to do with my lungs. So she wanted me to see a GI (gastrointestinal) specialist.

*sigh*

We were told it'd be a couple of weeks. 

Again, I was praying I could get in before vacation.

The next day (Thursday) I talk to the office and they can get me in on Friday!

If you've never dealt with specialists much, I can tell you that this is just unimaginable!!!

So off I was again to another specialist.

The encouragement was that the pulmonologist wasn't just passing me on because she didn't know what it was but because she thinks it has to do with my esophagus. 

So the door wasn't closed on me.. it just led to a hallway. :)

The GI specialist spent quite a bit of time with me. She asked me a lot of questions and determined that I should do a stomach scope.

Again, I was praying I could get in before vacation.

The scheduler came in and said "July 29th". 

"Nope, won't work. I'm on vacation..... Is there ANY way I can get in next week?"

"I don't think so. I just filled the last spot open."

Me praying... "Please, Lord, open one up!"

"Oh! Here's one on Thursday but you have to check in at 6:00AM. Do you drive far?"

"Yes, I'm an hour away but I'll take it because it's better than after vacation."

"Well.. let me check one more thing."

Me praying... "Please, Lord, I'm willing to get up at 4 to do this but you know my body and how that affects me....."

"Oh wow! Here's one for check in at 1:00PM. I don't know how I missed that."

"I'll take it!" "THANK YOU, LORD!!!"

It was truly amazing!

For the procedure, I have to be put to sleep so my husband will go in with me and I, again, have to take the day off of work. 

They'll go in through my mouth and go down. If my esophagus needs stretched, they'll do it. If it's an ulcer, they'll fix it. If they see things for biopsy, they'll do it then.

I'm praying they find something (because I WANT an answer for all this!) and that it's something they can fix while inside.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if I wake up feeling like my old self?

I expressed this to my "mother-hen" day care girl. 

She's one that just last week said "I wish you could exercise and dance with us again. I wish you were fun again." It made me tear up!

So when I told her that I COULD (not definite) feel better next week, she said, "We could dance to Footloose again!!"  

I pray that it's true!

I'm honestly not too worked up about the procedure itself but instead, all the rules I have to follow now. There's medications (like ibuprofen.. my best friend) that I'm not supposed to take at all. There's other ones too. Then on Thursday I can't eat after 7:00AM. 

I'm already losing sleep in anticipation for this. I know, I need to give it to God.

We have a busy weekend but I'll try to update you after the scope as soon as I'm able.

The other thing I've found out is that both specialists think the pain in my chest is a different problem. They don't think it's related to the not breathing.

They differ, however, on what they think it is. One thinks it's arthritis. The other says it's probably muscle related or a cystic breast. She wants me to go to a gynecologist to check it out.

I'm thinking along the lines of the muscle thing so I'm just making an appointment with a regular doctor. If they want me to get a mammogram, they can still set it up but if it's not, they can still treat me as they see fit. 

I know a lot of you out there are thinking and praying for me. Keep it up! 

We appreciate it very much!!

One Step at a Time

I don't have a lot to share at this point but I wanted to update you.

Yesterday was my much anticipated Dr. appointment.
It went pretty well. My husband and I really liked the guy and feel like he's going to pursue things until we figure out the problem.
The Dr. took more blood for a couple more tests. The one he took for blood clots came back negative so that's good. The other test is for something called Farmers' Lungs. I won't get those results for a week or so.
He also wants to send me to a specialist. He thinks it's crazy that I'm "young and healthy" and yet have this very obvious problem.
There were other tests he thought about doing but wants to wait to see what the specialist does.

When I was talking to him, he was thinking I'd get in to the specialist in the next week or two.
As I was driving home, the specialist's office called my house and left a message with my mom. I can't get in until August 14th!!

I called the specialist and they put me on the cancellation list. That means if someone cancels, they'll call me but I live an hour away. I basically need to be ready to go if they call.
I, then, called my Dr back and told him.

Today my Dr. called and said that he talked to the specialist office and they're hoping that I can get in next week. He said that if I don't hear from them by Wednesday, I'm to call him back and he'll call them.
It's so nice to have a doctor working for me!!

We're praying I can get in next week!
Trying to function on this 'stand-by' mode is difficult, especially with my job, but we want to get this figured out!

We're planning on going on vacation at the end of the month. I really want to be working on the solution before then. If I go as I am, I'll be worn out and tired for most of the trip. I'll also probably be in more pain as I'll have to be more active.
The inhaler is helping the cough but not stopping the pain and pressure. The Dr. told me to keep doing it.

Our other prayer is finances. We know that God always has and always will provide as far as finances. We pray about it constantly still asking Him for His continued provision.
It's hard having test after test knowing that each one rules out something but also costs so much. I also have to miss work for appointments or not feeling well. I miss work; I don't get paid.
We also have our younger son's birthday this month and our vacation planned.

God will provide somehow. We know that.
We pray for His guidance, wisdom and comfort.

I also wanted to share with you that I did ask about some specific things I have heard from others. He doesn't think it could be Lyme disease, anxiety or really allergy. We explored the allergy option a little but he's just not thinking it's the answer. Hopefully we'll know more after I see the specialist.

God has all the timing of every appointment, treatment and even our vacation in His hands.
Even when I can only see what's going on right now, He sees the future.

I'm thankful that I can leave all my worries and concerns with Him.
He always does what's best for us even when we can't figure it out.

Thanks for praying for me and please, continue to do so. :)