When God surprised me

Have you ever had moments when you were so aware that God was surprising you and it took your breath away? Have you ever had moments when you realized that your faith was nothing to what you thought it was? Have you ever been a situation where you realized that you had put God in a box and now He's showing you that He is not to be contained.  What a week we have had. I say we because Mahal and I are very much in this journey together. Last week was my week at the hospital, meaning between doctors appointments, treatment and blood tests, we were there almost daily. The good news is that it seems to be happening less and less, but every once in a while, it does happen and we end up in the same location several days in a row. And I ask why were the appts not made for the same day? Anyhow, enough of my complaining. The great news is that the medication for Graves Disease seems to be working. Dr. Mazhari, the most outgoing and friendly doctor I have ever encountered in my life, was so excited to tell me that the thyroid levels have now stabilized.  Yeay!!!! However, the eye disease remains to be seen. She said that we have to continue monitoring the thyroid levels and my white cell count. Over the week-end, I woke up with a temp and coughing and Frendell & I had a discussion whether or not I needed to go to the ER or wait until Monday when I was already scheduled for blood work. The doctor now gave us specific parameters to look for: temp of 100.3, sore throat, feeling sick, not feeling well, go to the lab and get my blood drawn; if the lab is closed, then go to the ER and then call her. She also wants us to look out for yellowing of the eyes and the skin. I told her I always had a tint of yellow in my skin, but she said it will be noticeable. She is keeping a close eye on my liver function and white cell count. If the thyroid levels remain a normal or close to normal, she will reduce the dosage. She gave me an okay to go on the mission trip!! Woo-hoo!! I will see her the week before we leave, just to make sure all my levels are as normal as possible. One down, three to go.


On Wed, after my tx, I was discussing with the oncology nurse that Dr. Fearon wanted Dr. Robinson's okay for an annual mammogram order. We weren't too sure how soon she wanted me to get one since I had an MRI earlier this year. By chance, or was it orchestrated by God?, Dr. R came out of a patient room, just as I was exiting mine with Janine. She asked how I was doing, so I told her all that's happening. I briefly mentioned that we were planning a mission trip. She asked where? So I told her. And I asked her if she thought it would be safe for me to go. She was so excited and and enthusiastically said "YES!!". Shocked Janine, as she was just telling me that she didn't think it would be a great idea for me to be in a place where medical help would not be readily available and I would be exposed to children/people who have not had the same vaccinations that I've had. Anyways, I looked at her in shock as Dr. R told her to check with the travel dept to see what shots I will need before hand. She does want me to have HEP A, B & C done before I go. So, I will talk with the primary, Dr. F and see what she has to say.  I thought the oncologist would be the hard sell in this whole thing. We still have to figure out what to do about my treatment for that month, but I'm hoping I can take my medicine with me and then find a doctor/nurse there to give me my shot. I was so happy and quite frankly, a little shocked, that she was so happy for me to go. She told me before I left that she was so glad to see me living life and moving forward, even with all the things that have happened. I wanted to cry but there were other patients and nurses walking around. At that moment, it really felt like God was giving me a hug. She remembered that almost exactly 2 years ago (Oct 2, 2008), I was diagnosed with breast cancer. And 2 weeks later, Frendell & I were in a conference room with the medical team, arguing and discussing whether or not I should go on that mission trip to Mindanao. It was basically all of them against me. Even Frendell wanted to cancel the trip; he wanted me to have the surgery right away and start treatment right away. I will post excerpts from my journal during those early days of diagnosis. If we didn't go on that first mission trip, this second one would never have happened. It should've taught me not to put God in my narrow box, but it is a long and hard journey for me to learn.  So, two out of four have already given me the okay to go!!! This was so different than the last time we went. Dr. R was so pleased at how well I'm doing and she was happy to hear that the thyroid levels are normal for the time being. We all know it could sway either way at any time, but for the time being, we are happy where it is. First "normal" levels I've heard in a while.  True life lesson, isn't it? Things in life could sway either way, but we need to learn to enjoy the moments of today and make sure we are living it to the best we can, for His honor, for His glory.  Great news, indeed!!!