Ohhhh WOW...

the results from the blood work not only shocked me, but I'm now more determined than ever to do what needs to be done for my health. Let me give you a little history though before I expose the lab results.

The last time I had blood work done or went to the doctor for that matter (yay, that I haven't needed to go in over a year), I was pre-diabetic, I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, anxiety attacks, blah, blah, high this and that to the point it was like everything was wrong with me. I decided when we took on the journey to help the kiddo out, I was going to be on board for myself so I never took meds for any of that even after the diagnosis'. My old doctor didn't like me much then especially after I threw a fit and blamed the anxiety meds for causing me so many more issues & quit that.

I danced out of the doctor's office today...well skipped like a little girl with not a worry in the world. Our health journey has paid off with the doctor telling me today to keep doing what I'm doing...because it's working & he'd never seen such a good lab report. I do NOT have lupus (unless I'm weird & have fallen into that 2% category that I talked about in the blog post this morning), and I'm not believing that is the case. Not only do I NOT have that, I'm no longer pre-diabetic by any margin, nor do I have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or thyroid issues. Matters of fact, I've not had an anxiety attack in a while...if I do, I know what to do. I cannot be more ecstatic about this news, as it's even better than I thought it could be. All issues have been totally reversed!

So why couldn't they tell me this over the phone? I had 5 sheets worth of lab work done, and since I had 3 "high" issues...the doctor has to see me to "prescribe" the treatment for that. So, let's talk about what was on the lab report...I've got some major inflammation going on which we knew by the inflamed optic nerve. There's something definitely still going on, but I can't support it until I know what I'm needing to support. Until then I'll be doing my own anti-inflammatory regime on top of what I'm already doing until more tests can be done thru the neurologist & rheumatologist which I won't see until January. The doctor absolutely loved that I was taking my health into my own hands, and not asking for a prescription(s) to band-aid the symptoms that has a need to discover the root. He's use to people always wanting the band-aid because we don't like the symptoms. I know the symptoms is our body's way of telling us there's something wrong; so until we find the root...I'll do without the domino effect. Until I can meet with the specialist, Praise the Almighty with me...thank you for your continued prayers and support.  I will continue to live the and support my family through whole foods/diet, alternative methods, and add more exercise because it has paid off! #releaseandbelieve has never been even more profound & #MountUp is just beginning!

A little praise report as well...K came home with the ewww snot running non-stop, raw nose, congestion, sneezing, head yuck. We did our thing that we do...and well within 24 hours, he's back to himself! :D

Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

Before the soar, I must mount up...Before I can mount up (the words given to me in this season, you can read about it here), I must renew...Before I can renew, I must wait.

Isaiah 40:31 "But they wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."

As I sit in this quiet house this morning, I hear the tick tock of the clock...wait...waiting for that doctor's appointment this afternoon that will give me the results of the lab work I've been awaiting on. One of many labs were taken, but the one I'm curious about as stated in the last blog is that of Lupus. Will my ANA markers show I have Lupus? Then I question because of this next statement is there a possibility that I'd fall within the 2 %?

Per the John Hopkins website "98% of all people with systemic lupus have a positive ANA test, making it the most sensitive diagnostic test for confirming diagnosis of the disease. The test for anti-nuclear antibodies is called the immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody test. In this test, a blood sample is drawn and sent to a laboratory."

This plate is one of the many eagle pieces we have in our home that we got when Rick & I first got together. I didn't realize how these words "mount up" are now staring at me daily in almost every room of the house. Rick has always loved eagles, and myself lighthouses...so that's why this plate is so important as it combines both our loves together. 

These words "Mount Up" has sent me on a journey to find out more. First, I had to go back and dissect the verse, which takes me to the word "wait". I thought I knew what it meant, but I've found our English language really is so limited & vague most of the time. I went back into the Hebrew Scriptures to find the definition of "wait". It wasn't at all like I thought...The primitive root means to bind together by a twisting or winding a strand into a cord or rope, to be gathered, collect. It's a verb meaning there's action, not a sit and do nothing. Which then took me to Ecclesiastes 4:12 that spoke so loudly to me about the cord & the importance of human relationships in our lives opposed to individualism/isolation. I've been quite isolated to be completely honest, social media doesn't make one come out of isolation but to hide behind it. I need someone on board with me to go thru the next steps. No, I don't know what that looks like right now or even whom that is...but God is definitely pulling my heart strings in this and is part of that cord for sure. I'm looking forward to what's ahead.

Now that I know I'll be going through this wait, renew...there's those "mount up" words again. One cannot soar without first mounting up. Have you ever seen an eagle mount up? I knew I really didn't know what that meant...again on the search for the details and found this video.

600fps Video of Eagle taking off and flying over camera. from Peter Barrett on Vimeo.

The power behind it's own weight is remarkable...but what got me was the struggle to soar first, the energy that must be to conquer the mission of lifting. The eagle actually drops down before it ever rises, and I don't know about you...life can be just like that. I have a destination but I'm lacking that determination, energy, focus, and strength at the moment. I don't know where I'm going, but if "Mount Up" is to be taken seriously, then I'm going to be going somewhere...and soar is in the future because the eagle doesn't give up; it always soars!

So instead of sitting and waiting for God to do something like I thought...I'm challenged to go into action as he renews my spirit, emotions, and physical being. I'm assuming this is in regards to my health, but I do not know that either at this moment. All I know now is I'm keeping my mind open to all that He may have for me, and the ears to hear what's next with all boldness to be obedient. As I go through this season figuring out my health situation...I'm looking for accountability in a way I've never had it before & I'll add to that as I see fit. I know the struggle is coming, I know it's going to take strength, perseverance, and that it may look like I'm failing before the Lord lifts me up. I am going to need some people in my life to hold me accountable, pray me through, be tough enough to let me cuss you out (ha!), and unconditionally love me through. Today, I'm cleaning off the dusty piled on treadmill for what I do not know ( as Maury Povich would say...and that's a lie!)!!!

Praising God today...my vision is back more and more & haven't had the pain in my eye. I will ask for prayers still to relieve the pressure in my head (not a headache as much as feeling my heartbeat in my eyeballs, and my whole head)...it's uncomfortable. Blessings to you and thank you for reading.

Mount Up, Keep your fork, the best is yet to come...

I wish I had a better update for you, but I really don't. I have had an amazing experience tho though my roughest week yet.

Last Saturday, I walked out into my back yard & looked up to the sky asking God, "what do you have for me today?" With goosebumps and the deepest of emotion (tho saddened that you can't possibly experience this through just words)...a seemingly 8 foot span of wings came from behind me and launched into the skies above. I could see the details of the white hair on his head, the yellow beak, and the eye of this large beautiful creature we call the bald eagle. The most breath-taking moment to say the least...and the words "mount up" was whispered into my being as I recited the words to myself from Isaiah 40:31. I always get what I call a "word" for the season to come...and this is it. I am ecstatic to see what is to come. History in our family has proven it doesn't come without trials and tribulation, but the after...the best is yet to come.

Sunday, our pastor presented a message by handing us all plastic forks. Sharing the story many of you have probably already heard about the lady whom was given the notice that her life was coming to an end. She met with her pastor to give him the details of what she wanted at her funeral. The songs, Scriptures, etc... and that she wanted to be buried with a fork. She said, you know when you go to dinner & the waitress tells you to keep your fork...why? Because the best is yet to come...it's the dessert. Knowing in Faith that no matter what is going to happen next, the best really is yet to come when one has eternity coming. If you're alive, your story isn't done & He isn't done with you yet...grab the fork!!

Monday, I head to the PCP to find out the other details of my MRI findings as the ophthalmologist stated it was out of his speciality, but that I didn't have MS like he was questioning with my symptoms. That last update is here. There's several words I'm going to put here, but nothing is yet confirmed or has been discussed in detail at the time of writing this. I definitely have Optic Neuritis, and that is why we are on the search to find the root of it. The doctor handed me my report, and said...I'm sorry but I just don't know. We need to get you to a rheumatologist and neurologist to go over these findings. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "have you been diagnosed with lupus?". I said no, he stated that I have the significant sign of the butterfly rash on my face. I said, ohh I was told I had rosacea...he said, I think you've been misdiagnosed. Let's get some lab work done to see if we can rule that out. An ALA test, along with others. This blood work is what I'm awaiting as I type. Along with this rash, the MRI findings consist of a 7mm nonspecific matter in the mid-brain, dural ectasia of the brain (this is what caused the hole in K's skull), mild sinus disease, psuedotumor celebri, empty sella turcica, and the need to rule out papilledema. He would get me scheduled & let me know the lab results.

On the ride home, I was reminded by a small voice..."Mount Up"!

Tuesday, I was excited for this day because this was the day to go back to the eye dr to get my new prescription for "getting older" bifocals. I just knew if I had optimal level before me, it would relieve some of the stress I was having to put on myself just to function daily things. This day ended up becoming the worst day yet. I felt what is like a nerve coming out of my brain running down my spine, twisting & squeezing it like a boa-constrictor. I had went almost a year without any migraines doing my daily proactive regime to keep them at bay...this day would be the day that didn't work. I had a women's group to lead after the appointment, and I could barely drive much less participate. I couldn't order my glasses because I couldn't stand there long enough in the light to look at any much less think about the details they needed to discuss. I left, found a parking lot and prayed. I said good grief, if Jesus could bare the cross...the least I could do was show up for these ladies. I showed up, handed off the reigns to another to read; and their fellowship & love got me thru. I crashed in my dark bedroom for the next two days. The pain in my back, the numbing & burning of my face, the dizziness, and I hear...Mount Up!

Wednesday & Thursday are a blur really...until Thursday evening I had found some relief. Enough that I got to go with my husband to kick start another fellowship group for men & women at church. Don't think I don't know the enemy is also at work here trying to detour us/me from doing what we know we're called to do. He'll throw marriage darts, kid behavior darts, financial, emotional, and now physical darts to detour us. Nope, I'm not having it!

This morning...I've got ice wrapped around my neck and anointed (oil running down the head) myself with M-grain on the side that hurts & Stress Away on the side that doesn't. I'm able to pull off this blog with that, so this morning I'm in a better place. This has been so random & without rhyme or reason. Until I know more...every moment is unpredictable at this point.