Up 2 Date

Hey, folks.

I’m sorry it has been scarce around here.

QUICK life update:

- My flight form Guatemala to Atlanta landed 40 minutes before my next plane TOOK OFF. I had to disembark, go through customs a second time, reclaim my baggage, re-check my baggage, go back through security, then get to my gate... in 40 minutes. By some MIRACLE (and that fact that I think I literally shoved people on the escalator, HA!) I made it.When I arrived at the airport my mom, aunt, and grandma were all waiting for me. It was awesome to see all my family ladies again. To my surprise, I had some other greeters there as well. My seestor, bro-in-law, and neice were there with the most amazing homemade sign in the world. I will post a pic up here soon, that way you can see it. This was literally one of the most significant things to me in the world.

- I am sharing a phone and car with my mom. This is both wonderful and drives me absolutely crazy.

- One of my really good friends from highschool got MARRIED last week, and I was BLESSED enough to attend. I am so happy for Kristi and Matt. I love both of those guys and cannot wait to see what the Lord is going to do with them.

- I went to the beach for the first time in over a month yesterday. It was phenomenal. The water was seaweedy, the heat was almost unbearable, and I just didn't care. I was just excited to be able to see the ocean.

In case you're interested in the way I pick out my beach spot:

Step one: Look for hispanic looking people.

Step two: Don't look like I'm looking for hispanic looking people.

Step three: Find a spot a safe distance away, but that is still within earshot.

Step four: Enjoy the wonder that is the beach and listen to strangers speaking in Spanish.

Regarding my health:

I had a consult late last week with a GI doc here in Panama City. He told me that it would be very beneficial to have both the colonoscopy and endoscopy done seeing that I have been having a really difficult time with acid reflux as well as lower GI problems. I was moderately disappointed, as the fewer tubes that enter my body, the happier I am.

I started telling people that I was having both the scopes done “at the same time,” but quickly changed that phraseology to  “ during the same time block” as the thought of literally doing both the procedures simultaneously was a bit concerning/disturbing for most folks. I, in no way, mean to gross people out J

My appointment was at 12:30 on August 11.  Within about an hour of being at the surgery center, a huge storm began to brew. Torrential rain, thunder, lightening, the whole gamete. Before I knew it, I was in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV, weak as all get out from days of fasting, in pitch dark. We had lost power. I started laughing out loud and got a dirty look from the nurse. I really did just think it was funny. Why wouldn’t the power go out the day of my procedure? Given my track record, I was waiting for the roof to cave in right over my head. It didn’t, thank God! After awhile, the power came back on and I just sat patiently waiting.

After the procedure I woke up extraordinarily sleepy, in a different place than when I’d started, and in the fetal position. I suppose that was the most comfortable position for my unconscious self. The doc explained that I had a few things going on. My stomach is still severely inflamed. It could be a bacterial infection, it could be something else. He biopsied the stomach wall, and that will help narrow down the possibilities. This may explain why there is so much acid creepin on my esophagus all the time, but who really knows. They also found a very large, irregular looking polyp, and , of course, removed it. It is also going to the pathology lab to give me an idea of what is going on. The doc also discussed with me the fact that now that I’ve had PMC (Psuedo membranous colitis) the likelihood of it reoccurring is quite high. The fact that my body has not recovered completely (as evidenced by still having inflammation in my GI tract) puts me at risk for easy re-infection. This paired with the new knowledge that any given antibiotic could set off this type of life-threatening reaction concerns him…and rightfully so.

I have a whole lot of decisions to make, folks. I have a follow up appointment on the 16^th, and by then I will have the whole picture in view. I will then be able to make a more informed decision regarding my future. I am praying and would like you guys to be praying as well.

I have no idea what in the world this next phase in life will look like, but for now I am taking it easy, and working towards healing. Both physically and spiritually.

God is good, and this will all work out. 
Those are the only two things that I know.