Thankful Update

Hey guys!

A new update on my health…oh goodie! Actually this update brings some good news and thankfulness!

Recently, I had let you know that we would need to be changing things about my treatments and such. After much pray and a whole lot of research we found a doctor in Atlanta that we felt would be able to help me with Lyme disease and/or any other autoimmune disease that I might be dealing with. Dr. B is not covered by our insurance, but all the labs (with the exception of Lyme labs) are covered by insurance. We are so thankful that some of the cost will be covered by insurance!

I was also able to get a new patient appointment fairly quickly. I had the appointment yesterday. Jason went with me and we were both impressed with Dr. B’s knowledge about Lyme as well as other conditions that concern us.

She spent over an hour with me talking about all my crazy symptoms and treatments to this point. She was very thorough in her assessment of me. After my appointment with the doctor I stepped into a room in the clinic for two thyroid tests. Then I was moved to another room where they took 22 vials of blood. The blood work was mostly general with the exception of several thyroid tests and a few that look at the bacteria in my blood. Dr. B sent me home with a prescription for an antibiotic treatment for two weeks. At the end of those two weeks, I will go (locally) for more blood work to be sent to IGeneX labs, which specialize in Lyme testing. The reason for the antibiotics before the test is that hopefully some of the aggressive Lyme bacteria would die. The blood work should then pick up the dead bacteria…gross, right? It just gives a better chance of the bacteria actually being in my blood when the test is done.

I have a follow up appointment at the beginning of January to discuss all the test results as well as a treatment plan. We briefly talked about possible treatment options yesterday. Without knowing what we might be dealing with Dr. B didn’t go into too much detail, but we were excited about the possibilities that she offered. One of the possible treatments is one that Jason and I both researched and are very impressed with. However, most treatments will not be covered by insurance.

In the meantime, my little family and I have been trying to enjoy the good days. We recently went to a nearby town and checked out two covered bridges and simply enjoyed the fall colors. We also put together a fun thankful wreath. All three of us thought about things that we were thankful for. Baby Girl's were simple: food, clothes, mommy, daddy and her doll, Sally. Jason and I thought of many things that we are thankful for: a lovely home, family, friends, and healing. We just want to let you know that we are so thankful for your prayers. Without them, we don’t know where we would be. Thank you!

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” –James 5: 15-16

We continue to pray for financial renewal. We are also praying about God’s provision for a water filter in our home. We also continue to pray for wisdom as we consider what treatments to pursue in January. And of course, we pray for healing!

We love you and are so thankful for you!

Joy People and family

Health Update

Hey friends and family,

I thought it was about time to send an update your way. There are so many things that I wish I could tell you over a nice hot cup of tea. Maybe God will put us together soon to enjoy that cup of tea. In the meantime, here is what has been happening in our little spot in the world.

A while back my husband and I were sitting in a church service when the pastor presented a special prayer need for a little girl named Zoe. Zoe was a very sick little girl. Her mom and dad were desperate and only knew that they needed a plan of action. The action plan was simply to pray and get as many people to pray as they could. I wish that I could say that I know that Zoe has been healed. In truth, we don’t know what is going on with Zoe, but I know that every day since the request from the pastor that my little family has prayed.

That is what I want to ask of you. I want to ask you to pray for me and my family. Please read on to see what specifically you can pray for. Also know that on this crazy journey, I think of you and pray for you often. I would love to know specifics for you as well.

If you have been getting my updates you will know that my health has improved in some areas. My platelet levels have continued to stay above the normal levels (around 214). However, I am far from well. It is hard to even admit, but there it is in black and white. I am still very sick. The unknown of what is causing all the pain in my joints, headaches and serious fatigue (among other things) is overwhelming. This is a very overwhelming time.

My husband and I are at somewhat of a crossroads in my medical care. We have greatly appreciated Dr. T’s (the holistic doctor) care for me. We know that I would be in far worse shape right now without his help. The fact is, our finances are drained and Dr. T doesn’t take insurance. So we have been praying about what else we should do.

Recently, my mom called and asked if I had checked into Lyme disease. Well, no, I hadn’t, but I did. On a master list of four pages of symptoms for Lyme, I had around 65 to 70% of the symptoms. Just so you know, I am not in favor of self diagnoses, but the symptom percentage was overwhelming. So I had an ELISA test done to see if I had Lyme disease. It came back negative. After much prayer and much research I feel that I could still have Lyme disease. So, we are on another crazy journey to find a doctor that is Lyme literate (an LLMD) that also takes insurance.

I will spare you all the details, but in a nutshell LLMD’s are very hard to come by (I have only found possibly two in Georgia) and to find one that takes insurance would almost be a miracle. (Give me a call if you want to know the long version.) So, we are praying for a miracle. I should also note here that healing completely from chronic Lyme is a long and often painful journey. So, we are praying for very quick healing.

If you have stuck with me long enough to read to this point, I am so thankful. I want to share with you one final thing. Getting out of bed is a daily struggle, but I am joyful in the big and little moments. I have learned again what it sounds like to hear the leaves crunch beneath my feet. I see sunshine in the face of my little girl. I have learned again the giddiness of love when my husband holds my hand. I have learned and will continue to learn the hope that only comes from God.

I only ask that you pray. Pray for healing. Pray for direction. Pray for a financial miracle. Pray for my little family as we daily walk through this craziness. Pray for peace in whatever our futures hold.