Moving to OKC

I'd been holding off on posting this just in case it fell through, but in a couple of hours I am going to be transferred to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.

As for my condition, it has greatly improved since I last wrote. My lung has re-inflated and I got my chest tube out, and the blood clots in my arm are a lot better.

I'll write more later, but there's lots to do before we go.

Love you all. Thank you so much for the encouragement.

Not so fast...

I had a feeling about today, that it wouldn't go as planned. Little did I know how true that would be.
As soon as I posted my last post, we were informed that Zale Lipshy had suddenly decided not to accept me as a patient. Losers. So we're back to square one on the transfers. Very disappointing.
Then I had a chest x-ray done which revealed... a collapsed lung! Yes I have a collapsed lung. That would explain my persisting cough and shortness of breath, huh? So to treat that they inserted a chest tube today. I'm still in quite a bit of pain from that.
Then you should know that my left arm has been swelling to an enormous size over the past few days, and today a test revealed that I have 2 blood clots in my arm. So that is painful and the treatment is two shots daily in the stomach.
All this to say that today might not have been the worst day of my life, but it has been really close. It's done a lot to dampen my hope for recovery.
So please pray for me. I'm in a lot of pain. Also, again, encouragment is appreciated.
I'll keep you updated.

Movin' to the Big D

It has been quite an eventful past week, with some gains and some losses, but overall gains I think. I've gained some weight and my blood work all looks a lot better. I've also had several days of fever and headaches and a cough that won't leave. And lots of needles. That's all I'll say for the squimish. :)
Anyway, I write today to say that this afternoon I am being transfered to Zale Lipshy hospital in Dallas so I can have access to more specialists. On the one hand I'm glad because hopefully we can make some big steps there, but I also don't want to be in Dallas where I believe I know 1 person (who I do love, but it's not the same as having a whole church supporting you) and my family's going to be all stretched out again. We'll see what happens. I'll blog when we get the room information and such. I appreciate all means of encouragement. Keep praying for me.
Love you all!

Sweet surrender? Not quite....

Well I have had quite the busy past couple of days. I guess this all started Monday, really. The elders at my church here contacted my parents and said they wanted to have a special prayer meeting for me. At first I was a little worried that they knew something I didn't know, but no they just were concerned for me. So we did that Monday night and it was touching and moving, and meant so much to me.
Then suddenly Tuesday it was like someone lit a fire under my world. All my doctors went on high alert (thanks to some special people, I think) and they got me in to see a thyroid doctor on Wednesday in Little Rock. So that was exciting-- progress!
Yesterday my mom and dad and I went down there, and I did a battery of tests and we saw the doctor. He said that he thought my thyroid problem was probably just a secondary problem to my severe malnutrition and anemia. Apparently all my bloodwork came back looking pretty bad. So... the thyroid doctor, light under his tush, calls my primary care physician and tells the news.
My family doctor then immediately hospitalizes me today. She's been wanting to for a while. :) I, however, have been resistant. But today I just kind of threw in the towel (hence the post title) and said "fine, whatever." Of course deep down I know this is what I need.
Goal for the hospital-- NUTRITION! They're putting me on TPN or IV feeding. Today I faced one of my greatest fears and had a central line put in. That's an IV in your collar bone. But God provided with unexplainable peace and the fact that the doctor who did the procedure actually goes to my church! But please continue to pray for my mental and physical strength.
This could be the first step on a long road, which discourages me. Please pray that I'll keep the mind and vision to always look forward. I'm trying my best.
Love you all.

Mickey Mouse and Chocolate with Gummy Worms

Since my blog is just mostly health updates these days, I thought I'd take this little quiz from my friends over at Tryggblog to lighten the mood. Enjoy!

Would you rather speak with God for one minute or add one year to your life?

I'd say add a year of my life, because I feel like I've been robbed about a year.


Would you rather meet Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, Garfield, or Bugs Bunny?

Mickey Mouse, because that'd probably mean I was at DisneyWorld, which truly is the happiest place on earth. :)

Would you rather end hunger or hatred?

Hunger

Would you rather be gossiped about or never talked about at all?

Since I've never really been gossiped about, I'm tempted to say that I'd like to be. But I think I'll stick with being a wall flower.

Would you rather find one million dollars or find true love?

Obviously, true love. :)


What talent do you wish you possessed?

Joy throughout suffering

If you were going to a remote place and could only take one CD with you, which one would it be?

A mix CD with all of my favorite Chris Rice songs.

If you could hire one of the following, which would it be? (Driver Chef Maid Stylist)

Driver. I hate to drive.

Can you play a musical instrument? If so, which one?

I played the french horn in 6th grade through 10th grade. I was pretty darn good, too, back in the day. :)

Have you attended a high school reunion yet?

Nope. My five year is this year, and since I claim 2 high schools there's 1 I want to go to and 1 I'd never go to.

You're stuck in an airport, what paper do you turn to for the news? (New York Times USA Today National Inquirer or, You don't follow the news.)

I watch CNN on the screens, or go to my most reliable source for news-- People magazine.

Leno or Letterman?

Leno, although I'm growing softer to Letterman.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I like chocolate. Just chocolate. With gummy bears at Marble Slab.


What CD is in your CD player right now?

Chris Rice's "Amusing"


If you had one day to live, what would you do?

Spend it with my family and eat whatever I want. And not check my email or any blogs. :)

A cloud lifted

The past two days I've been taking my thyroid scan up at the local hospital, and while I was there today I got some amazing news. You might remember that I was in the hospital for a few days in August. Me being the sadly uninsured girl that I am, I was worried about the expense. Well I found out today that I received a hospital grant that covered my hefty bill and will probably cover whatever else I have to have done at this hospital. It is such a weight off my shoulders! I am so grateful to God and to Cristus St. Michael hospital for this! I just about started crying when I found out, because I was struck by the thought of the parable of the debtor who has been forgiven much, and I was forgiven a lot. I think rarely do people first hand feel that grace and mercy shown on them. I hope my heart stays tender from this and I never forget the help shown me.

I'll let you know when we know anything from the scan. Not sure when that'll be.