Blog

Background

See Part 1 and Part 2.

12/31/23 Sunday
Both the effects of a strong cold and the realization that I’m in a hospital hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. Maybe it was the exhaustion from little sleep, the weakness from this cold, the “being alone,” or all three! I understand that something physical is happening in my body that can sway the emotions, so I was grateful that today was Sunday! I was able to “attend” both our Breaking of Bread Service and the Family Bible Hour electronically! My heart needed to be “in” those meetings this morning and to be grounded in the Word of God.

The Holy Spirit is faithful to sustain and encourage us when we cry out. He reminded me of a conversation I had with a precious sister in the Lord many years ago when David and I were engaged. My friend had been in the hospital, feeling very alone in facing her own health challenge when her husband couldn’t be with her. She counseled me to know that only the Lord Jesus is ALWAYS with us, something a husband cannot do or be. That memory ministered to me in the quiet this morning. It also helps that I’ve started an “In the Hospital Gratitude” list. Looking for the good and beauty around me shifts the focus and the heart.

Current Status

They’re diagnosing me with Transverse Myelitis, which evidently is super duper rare. My neurologist posted my case on the nurses’ whiteboard so they’d read my chart because I’m a 1/1 million case. How weird is that? My son said it was right out of House M.D. However, no cause has been determined for the inflammation in my spinal cord. Another full CT scan this afternoon showed I’m aging but nothing serious is hiding inside. Praise the Lord!

I’ve had 4 treatments of the steroids with the plan to get one more tomorrow. The steroids might be what affected my immune system, leaving me vulnerable to this cold that’s making the rounds in our community; it’s been a rare occurrence for me to get sick since I lost the weight.

The plan at this point is to go home either tomorrow or Tuesday, with an expected 1-3 months of recovery. I’ll have to follow up with my primary care doctor and possibly get some PT sessions.

Praises and Prayers

Praises

• Praise the Lord there’s no big, scary condition lurking inside me.
• I’m receiving fantastic care from a top notch team, whom I try to thank continually for being here on a holiday weekend.
• I may be able to go home soon!
• My Medicare started on 12/1, so I’m covered!
• My God is faithful to minister to me no matter where I am.
• The risky Plex treatment they were considering is no longer deemed necessary!

Prayer Requests

• For good sleep tonight.
• For me to not have to cough much, as it’s very painful.
• That I can keep moving. I was so exhausted today, I’ve barely tracked a mile in my loops around the neurological floor.
• For me to go home at the right time with proper instructions and follow up care.

Thanks for following my Health Adventure. I greatly appreciate the prayers, texts, and emails.

See Part 4.