We Have A Day!

After much waiting, I received the call today that my Spinal Tap (LP), will be done on Thursday. James and I will travel to Birmingham on Thursday morning and meet with the Dr. and his "study" team at 9:00 am. The girls from the team will escort me over for the LP once a series of tests and paperwork are completed.

It is one thing to talk and pray about having this procedure done, but to know of a set day and time makes this all too real. I have been kind of surprised at how calm I have been through all of this (I know it is because you all are praying). I just pray that the same sense of calm stays with me.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, the flowers, phone calls just to check on me, but most importantly your prayers. You will never know how you have touched me. There are not enough words to express my gratitude to each of you! I consider each of you blessings from above. Please know that my life is richer because of you!

Many have asked how I feel. Most days I feel good. The headaches seem to have slacked off and do not occur daily. For this I am grateful! I have a lot of days where I just seem to be sluggish and want to be lazy. I am ready to feel like myself all of the time! James and Evan need for me to be myself! Today has been a great day! I have had energy and have been very productive (I know Dr. Troglen (my boss) is thankful for that). I praise the Lord for days like today!

People ask what the headaches are like. They really are not too bad, not like you would think. They just drain the energy from me. The most frustrating part is that they originate right behind my eyeballs and are constant. The good thing is, they usually subside by noon or early afternoon! Another answered prayer and for this I am so thankful!

I am not sure if Dr. V will place me on the medication or not Thursday. He may wait and see what the LP results show. The LP is being done to measure the amount of pressure in the spinal fluid. I am hoping that with the removal of this fluid, I will begin to feel normal once again.

James and I have talked about it and prayed over it and I have decided to allow them to use my information for the study. With that, comes the chance that the medication they give me is simply a placebo. That scares me a little. The study is being conducted to determine if weight loss alone will help reduce the effects of Pseudotumor Cerebri (PC) or if the medication is needed as well. We will all be placed on the weight loss program, given a weight loss person (that's what I need-someone to hold me accountable) and will all meet with the physician regularly. My only concern is what if I am not placed on the medication and my symptoms get worse. That is one thing I am going to discuss with Dr. V Thursday. Surely they will make a change if they see that things are not improving.

We are looking at being on this medication for one full year. They have told me there is NO way I can become pregnant with this medication because of the side effects it would have on a growing fetus. I don't understand God's timing, but I know and am trusting that it is perfect. He has taken care of me so far, I know He is not going to fail me now! While I don't fully understand, because for those of you who know me, know having babies is what I dream of, I simply must TRUST!

I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has me in this place for a reason. Do I know why? Nope! But I know He is faithful and able. Oh how He loves me! He created and formed me. He saved me! He loves me!

Please pray that we will have safe travels Thursday. Please lift up Dr. V and his staff. I am not sure if Dr. V will perform the LP or not, so say a special prayer for the one performing the procedure (I really hope they will only have to stick me once). Please pray that God will wrap his arms around us and calm any fears that may arise. Please pray for those who sit and wait on the Dr. to say "We are done and all went well." Sometime waiting is the hardest part.

I have the most awesome prayer warriors! I love you dearly!

Until next time...