Life is a rollercoaster sometimes, but God makes the track design.

This past month, well maybe even month and a half, has been and still has been a reminder that God is my strength and in control of my life. I have been reminded that God's plans can be vastly different from my own, and His plans are what is best for me!

It all started as I began having stomach symptoms that I have had before. Without going into to much detail, I was having cramping, diarrhea, and blood in my stool. Well, it got a bit better with some medicine, and so I thought...life will proceed as normal. At this time I was training hard and running long miles in preparation for the Portland Marathon. Well, the week before the race, my symptoms got exponentially worse. I travelled up to Portland, and lets just say on my drive up to Portland and back to Medford, I appreciated how my rest areas are along I-5...I probably visited the majority of them. =) I proceeded with, My plan, to run the race on Sunday. But as I was hardly even able to get out of bed on Saturday, then did not sleep all night on Saturday night, the Lord made it clear that attempting to run 26.2 miles was not in His Plans! It was hard to not do something I had planned and trained for, for 5 months. But again, God reminded me that He has bigger plans (of which I'm still learning).

I came home, and was so miserable, I couldn't even go to work. I immediately called the gastroenterology office (I had seen an FNP there once), and told her I really needed another colonoscopy (though this too was not in my plans) to figure out what was going on! Well, the Lord is amazing, and His plans were for me to get it two days after I called! Praise the Lord. Thankfully, the physician Tobin was working with, allowed him to be off the entire day of my colonoscopy. So I had Tobin's support and help. And let me say that I am so thankful to the Lord for the husband He has given me. Tobin's been such a trooper to "nurse me back to health" these past few weeks.

So the colonoscopy...well, as the first one I had...the prep (the day before) is the worst part!! I still don't know how frail old ladies get the prep done without falling and breaking a hip, while running to the bathroom! I'll probably be that old lady someday. ;) I was a bit nervous for the study, but actually the sleep and being pain free for a few hours after the test was great!

The results from the study came back, and as I listened in my drugged up mind on Propofol (an anesthetic) and Fentanyl, I heard the Dr say, "Your entire colon is inflamed and we are fairly certain its Ulcerative Colitis." Well, I proceeded to ask the Dr. three times (because I was still drugged) if he thought that was a fast and "agressive" progression. I didn't even remember his answer, till Tobin told me later that, "No, ulcerative colitis could progress that fast and aggressively."

So now the aftermath, I'm still not "normal," which everyone else knows, that I'm not normal...I think I'm just now catching on. =) But after begining some medication, I have been able to get to work, and at least feel "ok." Unfortunately, the cramping and diarrhea seems to regularly come more at night. So sleep is ailing both Tobin and I right now. Each night seems a bit better than the one before, so we are hopeful! I think God is preparing us for the future when we have a little baby and will again have to get up every 1-2 hours. Hopefully then, though, I won't have to work full time or have such severe bowel issues! But it has also reminded me that, no I really am not ready for children right now. =)

Through all of this, the Lord has really showed me the verse,
"Be STILL and KNOW that I am God." Ps 46:10

Even through the pain, He is God, and it's often the "be still" part that is hardest for me. I'm such a go-go person. Ask my husband, I always have to be doing something. But these past weeks, God has showed me that I need to learn to "Be Still!"

Thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Sorry no exciting photos...I don't really think you want to "see" what I've been going through. ;)

Sick Again...

I can't believe that something so tiny has taken a hold of me again! This time I think it must be a strong virus because I feel dreadfully awful and completely out of energy. I empathize with anyone and wish I could cure it, but hence I still cannot. And even the health providers get sick! This crazy virus has made my head feel like 40 pounds, and I think I've blown that much out in snot too! You would think my head would be empty, but my ears are still plugged and I only breath in a little air in my right nostril! Thankfully, I made it through most of the week until I really felt run down. Today, I'm sitting at home, watching a few movies and reading a book. Tobin is working at the hospital and my pathetic sick self can't even get up to go outside! I hate feeling this way because I usually am so active! Well, may I ask you to pray for me. Being sick though, sure has made me want to pray more for others that I know of that are suffering illness or dreadful diseases. My cold is really nothing, but it still doesn't mean I feel like doing much. Oh well, I hope to conquer that crazy virus that multiplies and uses my body as a host! And I hope to stay healthy after I get better from this virus!!!! I mean it's the first day of March, almost spring time! I shouldn't be sick. =)

It's an Epidemic!!

Cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, tactile fevers...I think that everyone is infected and everyone feels they need medicine! Here's to make it public, really the thing you "ARE sure is an infection," is probably nothing more than the common rhinovirus or some other form of virus....there are thousands! Don't get me wrong, I love caring for and educating the public, and I don't want to say you shouldn't see your medical provider, but we can't work magic! Really we can't give you much more than what you can do to treat that cold/cough/flu.

WATER, WATER, WATER; fluids are essential! Rest or moderate exercise if you already exercise.

And here's a news brief, those symptoms on average will last 10-14 days. Usually, you don't really notice you are sick till day 2-3 and then you get really snotty noses, cough, sore throat. But after 2 days of this doesn't mean you have a Raging Strep Throat! So wait it out maybe at least 8-10 days till you go see a doctor. By then you probably will just cancel the appointment and will save yourself some money for not going.

Probably most of you who read this probably already do these things. I think I'm just a little extra sensitive because I'm sick now too. I'm surviving though and taking the advice I give to my patients. Now of course no world is perfect, if you have any other co-morbid conditions such as asthma, are pregnant, have high blood pressure, etc. you might want to see or ask a medical provider about your symptoms.

Well, here's to surviving through the cold and flu season. But hey, it definitely is job security for me, so who's complaining.

Sniffle, Sniff, Sniff, Bloww!!!! Glug, Glug (the water)...I hope you are all washing your hands and staying healthy!