Friday, September 18, 2009

Happy 50th Birthday, Mom!

To celebrate my Mom's 50th birthday, we have done the following together:
  • Went to the lab to bring in my 24-hour urine sample.
  • Cried together. I was crying, due to stress of bloodwork, a man in the waiting room went up front and asked for Kleenex, he then gave me the box--this made Mom cry, the fact that somebody noticed and cared for me. See random people can be the hands of God!
  • Drew four more tubes of blood. The lab rejected the last ones and these are being sent to a different lab.
  • Went to the allergist, so Mom could get her allergy shot.
  • Went to Costco to buy cool stuff!
  • Skyped and Skyped via a conference call
Happy Birthday, Mom! :)

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Visit from TMS

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.
1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.

5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life—
men without regard for you.

15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
grant your strength to your servant
and save the son of your maidservant.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

I am blessed to be surrounded by people that love and care for me. Lauren and Jo Ann Helveston, from The Mission Society, my sending agency, came to visit me, to see how I was doing, and to debrief with me, since I had to leave Ukraine so suddenly and quickly.

During our time together, we read Psalm 86 and prayed.

Endocrinologist

Yesterday morning I went to the Endocrinologist. An Endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in the endocrine system. The thyroid gland is part of that system, which also includes the neuroendocrine glands of the pancreas, the parathyroids, pituitary gland, ovaries, and the adrenal glands.

Before I left for Ukraine, my bloodwork tested as slightly hyperthyroid. In recent bloodworks, my thyroid has tested normal, although other things have tested out of whack! When my family doctor ordered a catecholamines test (you pee in a jug for 24 hours, and then you also have bloodwork done) the amount of epinephrine in my system turned out to be extremely high!

Due to the possible hyperthyroid, and now the high epinephrine amounts, I was sent to the endocrinologist. (I also had the MRI done on my abdominal region because of the high epinephrine amounts.) The endocrinologist ordered more bloodwork and another catecholamines test.




This is a picture of the "pee hat", my jug, and a regular sterile pee cup. I thought the "pee hat" was exciting, because it would make urinating in the jug much easier. The "pee hat" sits on the toilet, under the seat, you do your business, when you are finished, you pour, and you're done, rather than hover and aim.



Just to show some size perspective.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

MRI done and over

I was able to go into the radiology center and have the MRI done at 8:15AM, as opposed to 3PM, which meant I could eat and drink by 10:00AM! This was a huge blessing! I had been nauseous most of the night, and wide awake, therefore, when I woke up, I did not eat or drink.

The process itself was okay. I found out that I am not claustrophobic. The technologist let me go in feet first, which was nice. He said it would take more time, but it could be arranged. I layed down on a bed, and as my brother said, I would be entering the donut.

The technician put a pillow under my knees and head. The nurse came in and put an IV in. I had a big thing placed over my stomach and it was clasped down, not tightly though, and then they put a blanket on me so I wouldn't be cold. The IV arm stayed down, the non IV arm went above my head and I got to hold my Mom's hand.

The machine made noise, and was scary, but the only hard part was holding my breath over and over! Every time I held my breath, I closed my eyes and started counting, pretending I was finishing running a race. I did this, what felt like 200 times. The ear plugs helped, I guess. I had to lay very still. The last four minutes, they put this warm dye in my system and did more images, same thing, hold your breath, then after counting for 45-60 seconds I could breathe again.

At the end the bed moved all the way out, and then the lab technician took out the IV. I put on my shoes and walked outside. Lots of tears of relief, thank God that part was over!

I just got a phone call from one of the labs, the bloodwork was lost and has to be redrawn. Oh joy! One time the lab lost my urine sample too! You really would think I liked doctors! Too bad I am terrified of medical stuff!

Thanks for all the love and prayers!



This is what my MRI machine looked like--made by Siemens.

MRI

John 14:27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Dr #4 took tests to see if I have too much epinephrine running through my system at all times. Turned out positive. Thus, I am now going to have an MRI at 3PM CST. Please pray for me, as I am extremely nervous. Pray for peace of mind, calming of the nerves, and good technicians.

Philippians 4:6-7Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.