Pure joy

This month has had its ups and downs. Acupuncture hasn't helped anything, and the doctor doing it has said she doesn't want to waste my money anymore if it isn't helping. I am taking a break from it for know, since it isn't helping anything. I tried 3 visits with her doing different things, and she doesn't think she is able to help me at this point. I was pretty discouraged by that, and feel at this point as if there really is no medical answer for the migraines I'm having 2-3 times a week.

In the meantime, this stomach issue has been bothering me ever since I had my gallbladder out in April of 2008. I was in the emergency room last month with really bad upper GI pain that caused my blood pressure to go up, my heart to race, and me to pass out. We thought maybe it was my heart, but I was cleared and referred to a GI specialist. I saw her on Wednesday, 9/8 and her next step is to give me an endoscopy. I go for that on Wednesday, 9/15 - this coming week.

Please pray that this procedure will go smoothly. I will be put under general anesthesia, but it's a short procedure. I will be out for probably an hour at the most. Please pray that the doctor doing the scope will find something conclusive that is causing my pain and that there will be a way to fix it. There are several possibilities they are looking for including: ulcers related to the migraine medicine I've been on for over a year, some sort of complication from the gallbladder surgery where a valve isn't able to work properly, or any other visible issue through the scope. If they find out it is a dysfunction in the valves, I'll have another endoscopic procedure they can do to figure out what the dysfunction is.

All of this, coupled with the head injury stuff has been discouraging. I also had a cold this past week and a stomach bug, so it's been dark. I know that God will not give me more than I can handle, and that I'm stronger because of all of this. I know He's with me and walking along side of me. I can't imagine going through this without Him.

I'll see how this GI stuff goes, and I see Dr. Leddy (UB research doctor) at the end of the month to discuss the next steps in my concussion treatment plan. For now, it's just rest/sleep as much as I can, limit everything I do, and continue to take the same medication.

My journey towards humility is going forward slowly but surely. I'm able to accept help more and more each day. It's good being honest about what's going on with me. Especially when it allows people to know how to help and what to pray for.

James 1: 2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.