A Strange Sunday

August 22, 2010, Sunday

We were unable to make it to church again today. I have a number for a chaplain from the hospital and plan on calling him tomorrow and see if he can meet with us. This a very Catholic and Methodist area. The churches are cathedrals, very old and very big. We are a bit overwhelmed by them even though I know that is ridiculous. I am sure that the Lord will provide us a fine place to call our family. The church that we connected with in Florida still keeps in touch with us which is very comforting. The MOST comfort that we have received is when Pastor Ed phoned and prayed with me. Gail from my bible study group commented that Pastor Ed brought us up for prayer in all 3 church services. I can't tell you what that means to us and how it lifted up our spirits. We are grateful to Crossroads Church, Pastor Ed & all who comment and support us in the Lord.

We are beginning to understand the way the visceral transplant docs work. They are very interested in me and consider me very "frail," Steve just laughed. We learned that they are happy to share information all we have to do is ask. We see a doc at least 5-6 days a week. I must get over the liver transplant and realize that this is a whole different bag of worms. The doc told us today that I am very sick, in bad need of a transplant and I should be on the list by the end of this week. I still have moments of self pity but I do believe they are becoming fewer and fewer. I still pray for strength and the courage to place it all in God's hands. After all He is the one who brought us here.

Presently I am going every morning for those SPA treatments(IV for the fluid on my tummy). They do not believe in paracentesis (pulling the fluid off through a needle), the result is instant relief and it is very common practice in the liver world. In the visceral world that means there is a possibility of infection in the abdomen which would prevent my chance of a transplant. So I learning to just cowgirl up and deal with it.

These docs keep real tight reins on all their patients and we have not heard one bad thing about these docs, their patients love then, and the people who work with them love them. I have a lot of adjusting to do.

Today, I felt pretty good and not so moody but the day went from nice to challenging. Actually, it is kinda funny now. First of all, after the IV and a bolus of lasix I had to run down the hall to the rest room. Everything was okay until I stood up and realized that I did not have my one and only warm jacket on completely. I dipped the sleeve and the corner into the toilet. I was crushed and felt really stupid. I had to take it off and put it in a plastic bag to bring home to wash. Well, I was cold for the rest of the day. (The hospital is very air conditioned and freezing)

Then we got the okay to go home, so we were heading out the door very happy to have the rest of the day to ourselves. We stopped at the gift shop to see if they had another sweatshirt for me. Well, they didn't so we are walking out when all of a sudden my left foot tripped my right foot and I went down on the tile floor, the last thing to hit the floor was my head. What a fright I caused. They called the trauma team, my doc came running down the hall, nurses surrounded me and of course Steve is practicing his EMT training. Oh was I mad! I told myself that the Lord is MAD at ME. Which later when I finally calmed down I realized how stupid that thought was. Another hour and half in the ER and a CTScan of my head, they were going to let me leave. Then Dr. Costa called and said he wanted me to stay in the hospital. Steve was awesome. He talked Dr. Costa out of it (after all he is a trained EMT! giggle) and the rest of the day was saved and pleasant. I feel that this happened so that Dr. Costa has a greater respect for Steve and that I am NOT "fragile."

I want to thank all of you who sent comments and emails supporting me. You all are so tremendous and you give me such a lift that it is hard to explain. Thank you all for all your prayers, thoughts and best wishes. The Lord has blessed us with so many who care about us that it brings tears to me. Please continue to do so, it not only means a lot to us but to my family as well.

Well until next post, my prayers are with all of you always.
Steph