End of waiting!

Went to see the doctor this morning.
Doc: "Oh, yes, I remember you."
Me: "Yes, you managed to quickly get the ultra-sound appointment for me. Thank you!"
Doc: "So, you want to know the results?"
Me: "Yes, please!"
Doc: (turning toward the computer screen) "Usually the radiologist sends me a quick note if there is something of concern, and I didn't get anything."
Me: "Good, I would expect that, but was told the results would take a week to get to you."
Doc: (reading the report on the computer) "You have a fibroid."
Me: "and that's all?" starting to heave a sigh of relief.
Doc: "yes, that's it."

Whew! and Praise the Lord that it wasn't anything else more serious!

A fibroid is an abnormal growth of the uterine muscle. Unless it, or they, grow too big and become uncomfortable, painful, or start bleeding, nothing is done about them. So he said that they can be monitored with future ultrasounds, but if you're not having any problems, no need to do anything. At my annual checkups, the doc can keep tabs on it.

Mike came with me, so when the appointment ended, we had a hug of relief. I almost felt like crying for joy, but didn't. Maybe later.

Despite the JOY of the good news, I was a little annoyed that the doc's office hadn't called to let me know the results were in. As you know, from my earlier blogs, I made the appointment ahead of time, in the hope that the results would be in. Because the results "required no further action", the doc's office practice is to NOT call the patient. So, was I going to be left hanging??? Note to others: we must be proactive in our own health care! However, I'm not going to let that little annoyance spoil my JOY!

Thanks again to so many who prayed for me to receive calm and peace during these 23 days! God definitely answered!

"We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name." Psalm 33:20-21 NLT

I knew that the Lord was with me during this time of trial. He would heal me if he chose. I accepted that the outcome could be either health or sickness. I trusted his sovereignty in my life (even tho I'm not ready to die yet!). It is by faith that I accept his will for my life.

Thank you, friends, for sharing this journey with me! May your faith be strengthened, too.

Waiting: October 20

(See below for after the exam report.)

October 20 morning: Since last report, I've continued to feel calm and reassured that everything is in God's hands. I must accept whatever He allows or puts in my life, then lean on Him to get me through the tough times.

Yesterday, I caught myself, in the afternoon, actually feeling HAPPY, even JOYFUL! How weird is that? Surely I should be stressed about the upcoming test and potential results. But, the Spirit was with me, what more could I ask for?!

On Saturday, we spent about 7 hours in the car travelling to and from Snoqualmie Falls to visit my daughter & her husband for lunch and then visit my cousin and his family for dinner. During all the driving, I could feel the "mass" in my lower pelvic region pressing against the top of my leg. No pain, just some pressure. So, I'm really hoping it can be removed, whatever it is!

Today, I woke up feeling a little stressed, not about the test, but about the drinking of the 3-4 cups of water 2 hours prior to the test and HOLDING IT! Trusting God to control those sphincter muscles!

Trusting God to give wisdom to the radiologist who will be reading the results - no errors today! Trusting God for quick reporting of the results!
Thanking God for those who have been praying for me!
Thanking you who have been praying for me!

Well, I will report after the exam . . .

October 20 evening: Hi there. I was nervous waiting for the exam - my heart beating in my throat. Just trying to get the pay parking machine to work is a trial in itself and I'm sure can easily cause some people heart attacks!
The exam was uneventful. The technician took several pics for a variety of angles. She keep apologizing for pressing on my full bladder. Well, stop doing that, I wanted to say!
The results are evaluated by the radiologist today, who dictates a report which is sent to the secretarial pool. Sometime next week, the finished letter is faxed to my doctor. This delay is unacceptable! I've made an appointment with the doc for Friday morning. Maybe he can make a phone call. Hey, there's a prayer request! May God intervene to quicken this process!

I'm feeling somewhat discouraged. Contemplating the worst case scenario. But, am telling myself just to "be" in the present. Trying to keep my mind busy with other things.

If you prayed for me, THANK YOU!

Waiting: October 13,14

(See below for October 14th)

Thanks to those who are praying for me - it's working! I am calm and have been receiving encouragement from many people!

October 13: Preparing for my appointment with the substitute GP tomorrow. Checking out local private clinics that give ultrasounds and MRIs. Want to ask the doc about this possibility. (Usually the clinics need a physician's referral.) Heard this afternoon about a clinic across the line, so have added that to the list. Also making a list of questions as to what happens after the test results. Went to the Ladies Missions Group today where I always receive a warm welcome from the other ladies. Swapped prayer concerns with some of them. Great that we can pray for each other. Also, praying for others sometimes keeps our/my mind off our/my own issues. Still have not heard about ultrasound appointment at Delta hospital yet. Feeling upbeat today, despite the RAIN!

Scripture this morning: Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us")."
Thank you Lord that you are with me, especially during times of trials. You make your presence known to me through answered prayer and the kind actions of others!

Scripture this afternoon: Psalm 62:1-2, 8 "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken! . . . Trust in him at all times, you people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
YES! Who else can provide my rest? Only Him who has the power to control the diagnostic machine and the specialists who read the results. My trust is in Him!
Another version for verse 1 says: "I wait quietly before God . . . "
Yes, I am waiting and resting quietly - no ranting or raving, right now!

More Scripture this afternoon: Psalm 34:1,4,19 "I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips . . . I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears . . . The righteous may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers them from them all."
Thank you Lord Jesus for deliverance!

October 14th: Feeling calm and prepared for appointment with GP's substitute.
Hooray! The doc was very agreeable. Answered my "what if" and "then what" questions. AND, made some calls and I now have an appointment for the ultrasound at Peace Arch Hospital this Tues, the 20th. Hooray! Thank you God for going before me to pave the way for the process to move along! Thanks for answering prayers! God is GREAT!

Waiting: October 1-11

Dear Readers, as I start this story, I must tell you that, at the moment, it does not have an ending. Usually, my blog stories are complete with a beginning, middle, and end, however, only God knows where this story will end. So, please, follow along with me on this new journey.

October 1st: Routine pelvic exam finds something "that needs checking out", "that doesn't quite feel right." Words from my doctor while examining the vicinity of my right ovary. I could feel that something was different, too. He never actually said, "Oh, I feel a lump on your ovary", just, "we need to send you for an ultrasound." I said, "And, you're not going to tell me what you think it is, are you?" "When I know, you'll know," he said. In a short discussion with the nurse, who was in the room at the time, he instructed her to send a request for the procedure to Delta hospital. Apparently, right now, there is a 3 month waiting period for this procedure at my nearest hospital, and at another one nearby they are discouraging new requests due to overwhelming demand. The nurse thought I could get seen at Delta within 2-4 weeks. Although, since word was out that Delta had shorter a waiting period, maybe more doctors were referring there. Who knows. The nurse assured me that she would call me as soon as the appointment info came back to the doctor's office.

Later, in thinking about what was going on in my pelvis, I remembered that I had occasionally felt some discomfort in that area for the past few months, but thought it was just the digestive process. Now, I realized that what I was feeling was "something".

October 2nd: Phoned the nurse at the doctor's office. Yes, she had sent the request right away, but did not know when they would reply. Apparently, each request is prioritized and then given an appropriate appointment time. umm. Does that mean if they call back soon, that I should worry? What if they give my case a lower priority, and then the diagnosis indicates I should have come in sooner? What about going to a private clinic, I ask. "I already asked the doctor that, he said the resolution of the ultrasound picture is better at a hospital, so therefore the diagnosis is better. He prefers that you have it done at the hospital," the nurse replied. Ok. She thought I might hear about the appointment by the end of next week.

Ok. Now, I must focus on God. Pray, don't worry. But, I'm having trouble concentrating. Started phoning some friends to ask them to pray for peace & calmness for me as I wait for the appointment time. One friend said she just a procedure at Delta hospital and it didn't take too long to get her appointment. Thanks, God, for some encouragement!

October 2-4th: I got busy on my at-home projects to try to keep my mind off the health issue. Did not go to church because I just didn't feel well enough.

October 5th: I was scheduled to meet with a friend at 10:15 am, then have a massage at 1:00. I awoke not feeling well at all (cold/flu-ish or anxious?) and canceled both. By the afternoon, tho, I felt better. (This is not unusual, as I frequently do not feel well in the morning. The afternoon is my best time of day!)

I read the following in the Bible: "The Sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the heights." Habbakuk 3:19, TNIV.
Yes, I, too, have experienced this. At times when I have felt physically weak, but needed to show up to do his ministry work, God strengthened me enough to perform the work. Many times! Here, in the scripture, the prophet compares the ability God gives him to overcome obstacles to the lightly treading hoof-steps of a deer and its surefootedness on rocky mountain terrain. God help me now!

I'm starting to feel calmer, thank you Lord. It is hard to pray for myself! I will focus on "resting in Him" until the end of the week. I'm thankful that others are praying for me! Thank YOU!

October 7th & 8th: I manage some outings including helping at the local homeless shelter sorting clothing donations. I'm still feeling relatively calm, but the issue is not far from my thoughts.

October 9th: went to the Lab to have routine blood tests done (the annual ones). Since the doctor's office is across the hallway, I went in after to find the nurse. She confirmed that they had not heard from Delta hospital yet, although, another patient had just rec'd her appointment time after waiting 2 or 3 weeks. I did not ask how long the patient would now have to wait for the appointment! (Did not want to know if it was going to be another few weeks for her!) I again asked about going to a private clinic, even to Washington state. She recommended I make an appointment to see the doctor. So I did, but, it turns out my doctor is now away for 3 weeks! So on Wednesday I will see his substitute who will hopefully answer my questions about this process and give my the OK to go to a private clinic.

My husband had taken the day off and we spent the day together investigating materials needed for one of our renovation projects. Or, did he just want to spend more time with me?! Such a nice husband!

Disappointed that no phone call came from the doctor's office. Now, with the Thanksgiving LONG weekend, three more days would be "wasted" waiting for the call. Am reconsidering going to a private clinic.

October 10th & 11th: Can "feel" the what-ever-it-is pressing against some other body part. No pain, just a gentle pressure. We continued working on our outdoor projects.

October 11th: went to church! Ah, the worship songs helped me focus on God's sovereignty. YES! We have a custom that when we go up to the front of the church to receive communion, there are prayer teams nearby if we want prayer. Today, I approached them (a husband and wife team) - quickly and very briefly gave my situation and asked for patience and calmness while I wait through this process and asked for healing, if in fact there is something wrong. Their prayers for me were thorough and sensitive. Plus, he prayed that God would sort out any glitches in our medical system to allow me to get prompt care. PLUS, he prayed that God would exercise his sovereignty over the process and the radiologist. YES - I felt God saying, It is OK to go to a private clinic because I AM in charge of the results and the doctors! I was so glad I'd gone up for prayer and so glad I'd gone to church! Thank you Jesus for your love!

ummm. It seems that God's sovereignty is the theme of this blog posting! Yes, I will focus on that! Please pray for me, and thank you in advance!