Patience and Perseverance

The last two weeks have been ROUGH! I was discharged from the hospital late last Monday night, but still had a fever and elevated white blood cell count. I then spent everyday of last week in my doctor's office taking more blood and running more tests. I was lethargic, exhausted, and just done with all of this mess. I continued to have a low grade fever and my white blood cell count would be up one day, down the next, and up again the day after that. The white blood cells indicate a bacterial infection, but the source is still unknown. Today, I started to feel a little better and even went to get a haircut. I went to lunch for my grandmother's birthday and felt like I was on a roll. That was two activities, when the most I've done the past two weeks is lay in bed or get up to do small tasks. I even stayed home all weekend sleeping while David went to the lake with his family for his grandmother and dad's birthdays. I hated to miss it, but my body was telling me no. After lunch today, my stomach started to get distended. I have still been having sharp lower abdominal pain that comes and goes. When it comes its a doubled over, can't stand up type of pain. I tried to take it easy the rest of the afternoon, but my stomach kept getting bigger and bigger. By dinnertime I couldn't button my pants and my skin was so tight it hurt. I finally gave in and went to MD360, our urgent care facility. They started an IV and assessed my pain, the distention, and the fact that I came in with a fever. The doctor's initial thought was appendicitis. She called the ER and explained my symptoms and they wanted me to come straight there...by ambulance. Ugh. That was no fun at all. When I got to the hospital they did a surgical consult and ordered a CT. They also thought it was appendicitis. Well, unfortunately, that would be WAY too easy to diagnose and to treat for my body. The CT scan showed no sign of appendicitis or anything abnormal. So I once again was left with a fever and white blood cells in my urine (but not a urinary tract infection either)

In a nut shell, I have been in a good bit of pain and discomfort, I've had low grade fevers, 5 confirmed infections one after another, and a mysterious bacterial infection that they cannot locate. The unknown is literally one of the worst feelings. Where is the infection? Is it going to go away on its own? Why in the world can they not find it? I really had my hopes up last night that this was it. The grand finale and the answer to all of the questions. But I was yet again, disappointed and frustrated. I hit my breaking point and broke down in tears after I left the hospital.

On Friday, I have an appointment with endocrinology and cardiology to see if they can possibly pinpoint the infection. We do know that my cortisol levels are very low (endocrine) and my heart rate is extremely high (cardiology). These are small clues that may lead us in the right direction, so I am that seeing those specialists will give some insight into the situation. God is sure testing my patience and my perseverance. My prayer is that they will find the source of the infection SOON. I am ready to tackle this and move on. They have tried several antibiotics (oral, shots, and IV) and none have worked to break the cycle of fevers and high white blood cell counts.

I will update you after my appointments Friday! Please pray for patience. It is so hard to wait and wait and wait when my body feels so out of whack. I know that this, yes even this, is part of God's plans for me. One day I will look back and see where it fit into His wonderful plan and how He used it to glorify His name.

XOXO

Riley