Scariest three days of my life...

Ok, guys. I’m not going to try to be eloquent, but greatly want to update everyone on what exactly is going on.

Sunday, July 10^th, I was diagnosed with a bacterial infection in my intestines and began taking Cipro as treatment. I felt very much better after two days of treatment and was so thankful to not be so ill. This Thursday, things took a very interesting turn. (This is moderately graphic, so if you aren’t interested in reading, I won’t be terribly offended). Thursday, right before I was leaving for school, I had sharp pains in my abdomen and headed to the restroom. After using the restroom, to my surprise, I found that there was a very significant amount of blood in the toilet bowl and also currently draining from my body. I began to feel lightheaded and reported to my study area to let my teacher know what was going on. At this point, I did not take my condition very seriously (as there are many reasons someone could be bleeding from the colorectal area), but I did realize there was a need for a doctor. The administration and I arranged an appointment with a local GI specialist for that very day. I talked with the doc about my symptoms and she gave me the run down of a couple possibilities. I could 1) have a bleeding hemorrhoid 2) I could have a very bad reaction to the Cipro that I was taking 3) I could have ulcerative colitis/ Chron’s disease and it is simply onsetting at an inconvenient time. Let me tell you, I have never prayed for hemorrhoids before, but boy, did I Thursday night. I started fasting right after my doc visit, so I could have a colonoscopy on Friday morning. I spent 6 (pretty much agonizing) hours waiting for my system to be completely cleaned out. By the way, my teacher Monica, was with me the entire time I was there. I went in for my colonoscopy and the anesthesiologist had a super difficult time getting IV access. I hadn’t eaten in over 24 hours, was dehydrated, and loosing blood. After a couple of tries, I finally convinced him to try the other arm. He then got it on the first try. I woke up from the procedure asking when it would begin. Time flew. I immediately asked the doctor how it went, and she said in a very friendly tone “We’ll talk about soon. I’ll come to your room.”  As a medical professional, I know the “everything’s not ok, but I’ll smile and pretend it is” face like the back of my hand. I became legitimately worried at that point. They put me in my recovery room, and I awaited the doctor. She came in and said, “Mira, Cody. Estas enfermita…” or “Ok, Cody, you’re a little sick.” She showed me two pictures and talked with me a while. 1) They couldn’t finish the exam because I was bleeding so profusely. They had to stop the procedure and give me an IV treatment of Vitamin K to control the bleeding 2) They found an irregular looking polyp only 70 cm into my colon. She took a biopsy and I will found out the results within the next ten days 3) She also took a biopsy of the wall of my colon because apparently over 70% of my colon is covered in ulcers (hence, the bleeding). Not only was I processing the gravity of this situation, I was processing it in Spanish.

Fast forward. At this point, I have a nurse coming to my room everyday to give me Vit. K to control the bleeding. I am on a completely bland diet and loosing weight pretty quickly. I will basically know nothing until the biopsy results come in. I have incurred a substantial amount of medical bills that I am working towards paying off. I’m not sure how this is all going to work out. I am pretty darn weak from the blood loss. The best working diagnosis I have right now is a very adverse reaction to Cipro. If that is the diagnosis, then it is treatable. If it is not... well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. This is honestly the scariest situation I’ve ever been in. I have never feared for my life before, and my perspective on life is changing very quickly. Life is so fragile. We truly are not guaranteed tomorrow. I realize the way I’ve been living has not reflected this truth in a proper manner. I am currently dependent on my injections to halt the bleeding. In the meantime, I am laying low and resting in a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I have received all your e-mails and encouragement and am so blessed to have such a support system. You guys are honestly the best. I do not have time or energy at this point to reply, but pray I will sometime in the near(ish) future.

I hope all this made sense. I don’t have time to proof read because the café is shutting down, and I am so sleepy I can barely stay awake.

I love you all so much. Please keep praying. I am not sure what is going to happen or when, but the Lord knows.

Dios es mi consolador.

-Cody