We took this at Lutheran Lake, on "our" bridge, the week of our 12th Engagement Anniversary. Mark and the kids humored me while at a cook-out on the lake and we all took a walk to go sit on our bridge and to capture this moment. 13 years before I had heard that Still Small Voice whisper "This is the man you will marry" and then the next summer Mark asked me to be his wife.
Just two weeks after we took this picture, I sneezed in our kitchen while cooking dinner. I sunk to my knees, deep in pain. Mark was gone for the week at scout camp and I sat there terrified of what had happened. Shortly after that, the pain left me. I called my doctor's office, made an appointment, and waited nearly a month. I was in pain and off for that month but was 99% sure I just had a hernia.
At my August doctor's appointment, my doctor agreed that a hernia seemed to be the issue. I waited 2.5 weeks to see a surgeon and then another 10 days for a CT Scan (a $3500 test that our insurance literally paid $4 of) It was another week for that to come back completely clear. No hernia. No anything. In the mean time, I was in horrible pain. I would do very simple chores around the house or take a small walk with the kids and would be doubled over in pain. I walked maybe a quarter mile with Owen and worried that I wouldn't be able to make it back home again. I became more and more worried as I have always had a high pain tolerance
I started over with my doctor and went with what had been our second choice - complications from my endometriosis. It didn't seem to fit that but we felt it best to see a specialist for an ultrasound. Waited weeks for that appointment. Nearly right away they found polyps in my endometrium as well as endometriosis and suggested surgery for the very next week. I have known many who have had cysts and/or fibroids and the difference between those and polyps is that polyps can be cancerous or pre-cancerous. I had surgery on a Tuesday, felt pretty good on Wednesday, and then it all went downhill from there. I spent days in bed, crying, waiting for the pain to end. They had told me that I would "easily" be able to return to work in three days and at the three day mark I could barely move. It took nearly two weeks for me to feel "okay" again and then another week to really feel good again.
Over two weeks out from surgery, I got the results of the polypectomy and from the tumor they found during surgery - ALL were benign.
So, this Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for that word. That beautiful little word - benign. I read the results and just sobbed. I again, in my kitchen, fell to my knees thanking God for the incredible blessing of good health. This year one of my dearest friends was diagnosed with cancer and is fighting the ultimate health fight against it. She is strong and she is brave and I know the Lord will see her through it however He sees fit. I have felt guilty that He saw fit to spare me but that He asked her to fight. As I turned 31 earlier this year, I began to think about getting older and how 32 would mean nearing my mid-thirties...I am now SO thankful to have the chance to get to 32 and Lord willing 52 and maybe even 92. However many days the Lord gives me I pray that I will use them to serve Him and His people. To God be ALL the glory.
2 comments:
That is a sweet picture of your family. I hadn't realized all the health issues you had earlier this year, that doesn't sound very fun! I am praising God with you that you didn't have cancer! My baby sister (only 27) found out she did have thyroid cancer this year but we were so thank-ful that they were able to get it all in one simple surgery. She and her husband (age 29) are now both cancer survivors. We are thank-ful for advance medical care too when we need it.
Wow!! Both of them? And so young! I am so thankful that God did not have it in my present and even if it were to ever come in my future I know that it will be His plan.
Post a Comment