God’s Goodness In The Busy

My new Hickman line has been in for over a week now. So very thankful to have access again.

Jeff and I headed to the valley the night before my procedure. Even though it’s only 2 hours away, having unpredictable weather and roads, along with me not doing well with early morning things, before my morning meds have a chance to work, it was a wise decision.

We had never been to Valley Regional before, it was a new experience. Crowded and confusing were two words that come to mind. But staff was wonderful, helpful and friendly. After a bit of a wait I headed downstairs to the room where my procedure would be done. Even after clear plans made on my requisition and phone calls the doctor decided he wanted to try for a PIC line (the failed procedure already tried in Yarmouth). Very thankful Jeff was in the room to advocate for me. I was just a puddle of tears. I did not want to fight for the procedure I had come for. I was completely unprepared for this very unessecary battle. After him checking my arm, much discussion, some anxiety meds for me (that I have never ever need before) he finally reluctantly agreed to go ahead with the Hickman line.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NLT

This procedure is done while I’m awake, draped with an xray machine over me, then lots of freezing. But even with the freezing you can feel lots of pushing and tugging. Very thankful everything went well and after the 45 minute procedure I was switched to a stretcher and headed back upstairs. I had a few hours of monitoring for bleeding but all went great and we headed home.

Healing has gone well. My site looks great. The tiny incision on my neck hurt for a few days but continued to improve each day and feels good now.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 NLT

The hole from my portacath removal in December has healed extremely well. The tiny red mark in the second picture compared to how it began shows my skin can still heal, just very slowly.

Two days after my procedure we had 4-H county rally. Our three children did great again with three still moving on to Regional Rally with their demonstration and a junior thanker speech, in April.

Now that access is possible it was time for my check up CT. Always bringing some fear and anticipation with it. It happened on Wednesday, March 8th along with lots of bloodwork. One huge disappointment was learning that my Hickman can not be used for CT dye, one of my main hoped use for it. Not sure if I got the wrong one or if any are really designed to handle both the pressure and stickiness of the dye. It was hard to get a concise answer that day. Thankfully I have lots of CT’s with dye to use for future comparisons.

I got a call the very next morning that my blood was extremely low and I needed to come right in for a transfusion.

A huge blessing though was that my CT results were in already! Everything looks great! Stable! No changes! PTL!

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 5:6 NLT

The phone call to come in began two long days. My blood is now showing antibodies so extra testing is required and finding blood completely compatible with me proved tricky. After 7pm on Friday, I finally completed two full units of blood.

This coming week will be full again with another doctor appointment for my esophagus and stomach. Then a zometa infusion for my bones and an iron infusion to hopefully, along with the blood, help with my extreme exhaustion and cold feeling.

We haven’t taken many pictures these last couple of weeks. So very thankful for precious family and friends taking kids to do fun things, when I’m at the hospital, just too tired or simply unable. Kids have gone skating, played in the snow, went to homeschool group, crafting and cross-country skiing.

Thanking the Lord once again for my accessibility and especially my CT results. I restarted methotrexate yesterday for my scleroderma. The drug I had only taken for a few weeks when my portacath infection began and required I stop the medication. Please pray God would use this drug for my miraculous healing from this horrible disease.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalms 27:14 NLT