hope rising

I can't thank you all enough. If I had any doubts as to being cared for, all I would need to do is to look at what you all wrote in response to my previous post. You people blow my mind and invade my heart. Seriously.

And you pray. Boy, did you all pray. But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

On Monday (the day I published that post), I went to my family doctor to follow up on some things that had been ongoing for several months. I had received instruction to come back and get checked out if they hadn't changed.

CAVEAT: Sorry if I am being vague, but I want to be sensitive toward any readers who aren't particularly curious or desirous to read about the finer details of how my body does or does not function. If you want to know, I really don't mind telling you -- really, I have no inhibitions left when it comes to discussing the topic -- I just don't want to put it out for general consumption or to cause anyone to lose his or her cookies while reading.

I already knew I'd be in for more tests: more needle sticks, more deep breathing while shiny stethoscopes were pressed on my skin. More lying back on cold tables covered in white tissue paper. I told my doctor what was happening: or rather, what wasn't. Two months and no change. And I got one of those looks again. Oh, and some new digestive complications too. That's been going on two months or more, too. Another frown. I told her I had already scheduled an appointment with the gastroenterologist again. August 25.

I was sent to the lab again; the phlebotomist and I are familiar to one another now. Once we knew the results, my doctor would know what our next steps would be.

On Tuesday, I stayed home from work. I was worn out. I felt overwhelmed with sadness and confusion; my anger had worn me out and my boss was kind enough to give me a mental health day. I slept in, I drank my coffee out on the back porch. I made a second cup. I read my Bible and I journaled. The words weren't as angry this day.

It was shortly after 10 a.m. that things changed. I suppose they changed a little before that, but that is when I made my discovery. The two chronic complaints? Let's just say things are working as they should. The things that weren't working started working then (at the same time) and they are still working. My digestive and other (formerly chronically troubled) body systems are normal and functioning as they were designed to function. [Cue loud music and exuberant dancing around the house.]

Yes, you better believe I danced that morning. I'm still going to be vigilant, still going to follow-up with my physicians, but ... yeah. Things are good right now. And that's really good news.

As for the lab results, I received the official word today: even my thyroid is back to normal.

So thank you, people of God, for bathing me in prayer, for lifting me up to the Almighty. Less than 24 hours between the time I posted and the time God chose to extend His healing toward me. You were on it.

He turned my mourning into dancing, my weeping into laughter. This is your party, too.

Anyone wanna dance with me??

sunrise photo by kirsten.michelle