Results

Call me chicken. It took me two days to get up the courage to call about my lab results. I was curious, but didn’t want to hear if the news was not positive. 

I called and left a message before noon....

Dr. Digre called back at about 4:30 apologizing that she hadn’t phoned earlier. Some of the blood tests hadn’t come back.

After asking how I was feeling, she got right to it. 

Blood tests - normal (That’s good.)

Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) was suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis-MS, but not definitive. Seems I have “some markers” in my spinal fluid just as I did in my brain. Something about the fact that the Oligoclonal Bands are elevated. 

As I mentioned before, they also found that the pressure in my spinal fluid is elevated. Dr. Digre seems to think that this might also have some bearing.

Do I have MS? All she can say is that I might, but she’s not 100% positive. We will talk more at my appointment on the 16th and discuss whether she feels I should see an MS specialist.

She ended the conversation with, “Do you see any improvement in your vision?” 

I gave her a resounding, “YES!”

She concluded, “That is WONDERFUL! I can’t express how THRILLED I am to hear that the steroids are working so quickly!”

Maybe it is the steroids; more likely it is the steroids coupled with the faith and prayers of so many sweet, thoughtful, beautiful, treasured family and friends. I do believe I have witnessed a miracle!

GREAT BIG hugs to all of you! I realize that I am not “out of the woods” yet, but I am in the right hands. And today, I am SO grateful for so many things!

Too Cute

It was getting kind of late; the sun was setting. Evylee (4) and Ethan (2) and I were pulling a few weeds in the vegetable garden.

“Evylee. What time do you usually go to bed?”

“Oh... About Thirteen.”

“Wow. That’s kind of late. When do your mommy and daddy go to bed?”

“Fifteen!”

I "See" Some Improvement!

It’s 5:35 am. I’m not certain the steroids were expected to work so quickly; I was told it might take weeks or months even, but I really do see some improvement this morning! The tears of gratitude just keep coming! Now to pray that today’s spinal tap and scores of blood tests come back normal.

The procedure was scheduled for 9:00 am. First thing, I asked the nurse if she could remove my I.V. since I was all finished with my infusions. She shook her head and said she could get in BIG TROUBLE (actually she said she would get her “butt kicked”) if she took it out. She told me I would have to call a home health nurse through the same company that put it in. Then she looked at me sympathetically and said, “I will do it on one condition; that you don’t tell a soul.” I promised (this blog doesn’t count, right?) She locked the door, and freed my arm from the itchy contraption. I was SO happy to have my arm again!

She took my blood pressure - of course it was high. It is every time I go to the doctor. Then my temperature - 100.7 degrees, and I was flushed too -- It was the steroids. Gained 6 pounds in 3 days -- again, the steroids. Nice I could blame it on something besides myself.

The spinal tap (lumbar puncture) took about a half an hour. It was performed by another optic neurologist who already knew all there was about me. The anesthetic was WAY more uncomfortable than the spinal itself. As the doctor drew the fluid, she noticed that it exhibited higher than normal pressure. This she mentioned, could account for the slight inflammation in the optic nerve of my good eye. Dr. Adesina detected this on my first visit, but Dr. Digre thought it might just be a part of my anatomy.

She removed four vials of fluid and showed them to me. Spinal fluid is as thin and clear as any of the purest water I have ever seen. I was amazed; I had no idea. She explained the possibility of acquiring a spinal headache. The spinal fluid holds up the brain and supports the skull. The skull drops down a bit when it is removed. Solution? Lie down.

I had nine vials of blood removed for testing also. I should be able to call about results tomorrow. 

I lazied the rest of the day on the couch. Matthew and Audrey took great care of me and David came to mow the backyard for which I was very grateful. No spinal headache! My back is just a little sore, that’s all.

Do I Have the Faith for a Miracle?

Randy left for Chicago this morning. He received a scholarship earlier this year from the Professional Photographers of America and had this seminar booked a couple of months ago. He was very hesitant to leave me, but I assured him that I would be fine, that he should go ahead and go. “And when you get there, ‘be where you are,’ “ I encouraged him. “Get the most out of this seminar that you possibly can, so that it is worth both your time and the travel money.” He will return on Wednesday.

Audrey and Matthew were so sweet to stay with me today. They will drive me to my appointment to have a spinal tap in the morning.

I have had a particular painting on my mind a lot lately. It is by the Danish artist, Carl Bloch, and is entitled “Healing the Blind Man.” 

Christ is reaching out to a blind beggar. To the left of Christ is a skeptic standing with his arms folded, doubting the scene in front of him. There is a curious child being restrained by a disciple. A hopeful follower stands to the left as well as a man who seems to have his eye on the sceptic.and Two observers receive a bit higher vantage point on top of the wall. All are watching and waiting.

The story comes from St. Mark 10:44-45:

 46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging.

 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

This blind man didn’t have access to a myriad of doctors and their various tests, Optic Neurologists, MRI’s, steroids, spinal taps. He just needed to reach out to Jesus Christ with faith and he was made whole. 

God’s power is still on the earth today through the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood. I have been given the blessing of sight through that Holy Priesthood. I pray for the great faith of Bartimaeus that I too may be healed.

I have felt the faith and prayers of family and friends and the great comfort of the Holy Ghost. Already I am seeing shapes in my left eye. I sense that a miracle is just around the corner.