This is not another crazy email from me. This is an appreciative email. Right after you all fasted for me, I had a huge medical breakthrough and I am doing so much better now - relatively speaking. I do not view this sequence of events as a coincidence. Since May I have been getting sicker and sicker by the day. August was unbearable.
Right after you fasted for me, I started spotting. (Sorry for that detail, but I feel it necessary.) I don't have periods at all and the last time I was spotting it was because I had a fibroid, which I had removed in May. Naturally I thought the fibroid was back, so I went back in to see the ob/gyn and tell her the problem had returned. Aside from that, these were the problems I was having:
Every time I got up, or even when I moved suddenly in a seated position, I felt like I would lose all muscle control in my body.
I couldn't finish my sentences because I was so forgetful.
I was incredibly weak. It was very difficult for me to make it up the stairs.
My heart rate was regularly getting up to 130 or 140 while I was resting. I had to start taking my heart medication every 12 hours.
My joints were so stiff that the first thing I had to do in the morning was take a pain pill. That was the only way I could get moving.
I was having incredibly painful migraine headaches, notwithstanding I've had my occipital and trigeminal nerves burned.
I was severely depressed and short tempered. I would yell at the girls for (what I now see) was the slightest offense.
My blood sugar was consistently high, partly because consuming sugar and caffeine was the only way I could accomplish even a small task.
For the month of August, I got my weekly infusion, and it made no difference whatsoever in how I felt.
I would sleep for 12 hours and wake up not feeling the least bit rested.
My feet and hands would suddenly cramp and curl up.
I could not regulate my body temperature. I would be burning up hot but have chill bumps all over my body, almost all day everyday.
I would try and eat healthy for a few days at a time, but would gain weight anyway and feel just as lousy, so I'd go back to my sugar and caffeine diet.
My bladder disease was worse.
My spleen was more swollen.
My asthma and interstitial cystitis were worse.
My eyes and face were getting puffier.
I could go on and on, but y'all get the picture. I thought my CVID was quickly getting worse and my body was spiraling out of control. About 10 days ago I told Bryant, "I don't think I will have many more birthdays." And he just nodded his head and said, "I know."
When I went to my obgyn, I didn't even bother to tell her any of the above symptoms. She is obviously not an expert in my disease, so I have learned not to bother her or any other doctor with anything out of her specialty area. Anyway, she sent me in for an ultrasound and she also told me she thought it might be my thyroid, so she ordered blood work just to be sure.
When she told me that, it clicked! And I remembered my endocrinologists saying that since my thyroid has been overactive all my life, it would burn out early.
I went home and checked symptoms of hypothyroidism and I had every single one. I was excited at the prospect that my problems could be related to my thyroid and not directly to my CVID. I told Bryant I didn't know what I'd do if I went back for the follow up visit and she said my thyroid wasn't running low.
So I went back in on Friday and she went over the results of all the tests...My left ovary is twice its normal size because of a huge ovarian cyst. My uterus is swollen with a large fibroid. My right ovary is shriveled up and not even able to be seen by the sonographer. Then she told me that my thyroid was dying and she wanted to start me on medicine right away! I was elated and probably would have jumped for joy if I'd had the energy!
Thyroid hormones are very confusing. On the incomprehensive scale, I consider them to be somewhere near the level of South Asian politics during the Vietnam War. But I will just say that she interpreted my thyroid levels in a way that my endocrinologist never has and probably never would, and everything made sense!
I think because of your fasting and prayers, my sweet little old black obgyn doctor was inspired to check my thyroid.
I know it sounds strange that I am happy that my CVID has destroyed another one of my organs. But I am! Because the hormones of the organ it destroyed (my thyroid) can be replaced! And, don't get me wrong, I'm still sick, and I feel like crap, but things are a whole lot better than they were one week ago today. I can even exercise now!
Mama, with so many (probably literally hundreds of) people fasting for you, you are sure to be feeling better in no time! And I'll be there in a month to see to it!
God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
and works his sovereign will.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.
His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
and scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.
his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
and works his sovereign will.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.
His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
and scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.
-William Cowper, b.1731- d.1800
With love and appreciation,
your daughter and sister,
Jessi Lou
I've started feeling bad and depressed again, but not as severely as I was before. I had my thyroid levels checked yesterday and I'm waiting to get the results.
I think my left ovary is about to explode. I have an appointment with my ob/gyn Friday to see what she wants to do about it.
So that's where things stand health-wise.
