Having received a call from the doctor’s office, I was told that the latest CT scan on my lungs was all okay. I was extremely thankful for those answered prayers. However, I immediately began a new prayer~ actually a continuation of an original prayer. I asked the Lord to please let this be the last CT scan I would have to have for the problems that began more than a year and a half ago. Yes, He has already done so much for me – but this felt like an important step to restoration. One thing about the internet, if you search for answers to your medical problems, you will find there are usually risks involved in the procedures that can ultimately help you. I read probably too much, and trust probably too little. Nevertheless, I do not want to be x-rayed in excess if it is not 100% necessary.
As I was researching, I learned that when diagnosed with a spot on the lung, most people have to go for rechecks for sometimes years after the initial problem is found. Often it is only scar tissue that they are looking at, but without invasive surgery, there is no way to tell for certain without these continued CT scans.
Last week I showed up for a follow up appointment with the Pulmonary physician for a check up, and his take on the CT scan. I knew that the results came back in a positive light, but knew no other details. I was feeling the peace and presence of the Lord, and was actually looking forward to this visit though. I had come so far. Almost there - restoration. Just one short year ago I walked into his office a horrible mess. For 9 months prior to my initial visit with him, I had already gone through too much. Now 1 year and 9 months later, I had ingested 5 rounds of steroids, gone through several inhalers, nasal steroids, and months of nebulizer treatments with 2 types of medications - not to mention antibiotics of all sorts. After seeing him several times without constant success, the Pulmonary doctor suggested that I see an ENT physician. The new doctor began treating me with a mega-dose of antibiotics, and suggested that I see an allergist. The allergist, is who I truly believe, played a key role in the Lord's answer to my prayers.
It was initially thought that my asthma was viral induced. That is possible, but not probable. It appears that my issues were most likely allergy related. Truthfully, upon this discovery, I did not care "why" it happened, I just desperately wanted to feel well again. My prayers all along included complete restoration. I have a husband and a home to care for. A daughter to homeschool, 2 older children to pray for, and in-laws to take care of... It was my prayer that I would not be bound to this illness any longer.
Now, 4 short months after the initial visit with an allergist, other than the allergy shots I am taking, I no longer need medication! Those weekly shots, a diet that avoids as much yeast as possible, staying clear of food molds, along with lots of heart to heart talks with the Lord brought me towards restoration. I suppose complete restoration won't happen on this side of heaven, but it is so very nice, after close to 2 years of being very ill, to begin feeling like myself again. I cannot express how deeply thankful and grateful I am for the Lord allowing me this opportunity to heal.
One thing was left looming over my head keeping me from feeling like I was on a full path to restoration. It was knowing that I would still have more CT scans ahead of me. I suppose that aside from the worry of excessive radiation, I wanted to know, and see evident that the Lord would give me what I prayed for. Was I being presumptuous? Asking for too much? Which leads me back to the prayer that I mentioned in the beginning of this post - Asking God to allow this to be my last CT scan for this situation. I felt in my heart that if this prayer was answered favorably, it would be the last link to being restored of this horribly long and difficult illness.
After he walked into the room and began looking at my charts, the Pulmonary doctor let me know that the nodule on my lung was gone. He did not say that it was still there, but had not grown. It was now clear for the 2nd CT scan in a row! The doctor listened to me breathe, now with no medications in my body to aid my breath, and told me how great everything sounded. This - a happy affirmation that the Lord is allowing me to have restoration. What feels like a 2nd chance at life.
Sound dramatic? Maybe. However, before being too skeptical, please read this. After completing my exam, the doctor let me know a few facts that brought tears to my eyes. He said that he believes what I experienced is a miracle, and that I should be thankful to God for this healing. (How often do you hear that from a doctor?) He said that he has seen many cases of asthma as bad as I had it, but never before had it turned out well. Never? He said never. This was not a younger doctor - by the way... My guess is that he's been in practice for 25-30 years. He let me know that normally his patients were on medication for life. Wow! So much to be humbled and thankful to my Lord for.
If that news wasn't enough to do a happy dance over, the Pulmonary doctor let me know that because the CT scan was once again clear, I would no longer need to have any more! \0/ Skeptics may call it luck. My God is too big for this to be luck. I went before Him, and He gave - Restoration! Jesus gives us a promise - if we just ask...
(NIV) John 14:13-14 - "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, os that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask anything in my name, and I will do it."
As our Pastor would say, "You take it to heart." , . .
As I was researching, I learned that when diagnosed with a spot on the lung, most people have to go for rechecks for sometimes years after the initial problem is found. Often it is only scar tissue that they are looking at, but without invasive surgery, there is no way to tell for certain without these continued CT scans.
Last week I showed up for a follow up appointment with the Pulmonary physician for a check up, and his take on the CT scan. I knew that the results came back in a positive light, but knew no other details. I was feeling the peace and presence of the Lord, and was actually looking forward to this visit though. I had come so far. Almost there - restoration. Just one short year ago I walked into his office a horrible mess. For 9 months prior to my initial visit with him, I had already gone through too much. Now 1 year and 9 months later, I had ingested 5 rounds of steroids, gone through several inhalers, nasal steroids, and months of nebulizer treatments with 2 types of medications - not to mention antibiotics of all sorts. After seeing him several times without constant success, the Pulmonary doctor suggested that I see an ENT physician. The new doctor began treating me with a mega-dose of antibiotics, and suggested that I see an allergist. The allergist, is who I truly believe, played a key role in the Lord's answer to my prayers.
It was initially thought that my asthma was viral induced. That is possible, but not probable. It appears that my issues were most likely allergy related. Truthfully, upon this discovery, I did not care "why" it happened, I just desperately wanted to feel well again. My prayers all along included complete restoration. I have a husband and a home to care for. A daughter to homeschool, 2 older children to pray for, and in-laws to take care of... It was my prayer that I would not be bound to this illness any longer.
Now, 4 short months after the initial visit with an allergist, other than the allergy shots I am taking, I no longer need medication! Those weekly shots, a diet that avoids as much yeast as possible, staying clear of food molds, along with lots of heart to heart talks with the Lord brought me towards restoration. I suppose complete restoration won't happen on this side of heaven, but it is so very nice, after close to 2 years of being very ill, to begin feeling like myself again. I cannot express how deeply thankful and grateful I am for the Lord allowing me this opportunity to heal.
One thing was left looming over my head keeping me from feeling like I was on a full path to restoration. It was knowing that I would still have more CT scans ahead of me. I suppose that aside from the worry of excessive radiation, I wanted to know, and see evident that the Lord would give me what I prayed for. Was I being presumptuous? Asking for too much? Which leads me back to the prayer that I mentioned in the beginning of this post - Asking God to allow this to be my last CT scan for this situation. I felt in my heart that if this prayer was answered favorably, it would be the last link to being restored of this horribly long and difficult illness.
After he walked into the room and began looking at my charts, the Pulmonary doctor let me know that the nodule on my lung was gone. He did not say that it was still there, but had not grown. It was now clear for the 2nd CT scan in a row! The doctor listened to me breathe, now with no medications in my body to aid my breath, and told me how great everything sounded. This - a happy affirmation that the Lord is allowing me to have restoration. What feels like a 2nd chance at life.
Sound dramatic? Maybe. However, before being too skeptical, please read this. After completing my exam, the doctor let me know a few facts that brought tears to my eyes. He said that he believes what I experienced is a miracle, and that I should be thankful to God for this healing. (How often do you hear that from a doctor?) He said that he has seen many cases of asthma as bad as I had it, but never before had it turned out well. Never? He said never. This was not a younger doctor - by the way... My guess is that he's been in practice for 25-30 years. He let me know that normally his patients were on medication for life. Wow! So much to be humbled and thankful to my Lord for.
If that news wasn't enough to do a happy dance over, the Pulmonary doctor let me know that because the CT scan was once again clear, I would no longer need to have any more! \0/ Skeptics may call it luck. My God is too big for this to be luck. I went before Him, and He gave - Restoration! Jesus gives us a promise - if we just ask...
(NIV) John 14:13-14 - "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, os that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask anything in my name, and I will do it."
As our Pastor would say, "You take it to heart." , . .
