10/14/11 UPDATE & PRAYER REQUEST

Hello dearest friends,

I have some blessings to share and some prayer requests.

A few weeks ago I started having severe stabbing pain in my stomach that shot up my spine.  I went to the doctors and they gave me some additional pain medicine to take assuming that it was my gastroparesis flaring up.  (My stomach doesn’t empty on its own, so I take motility medicine, as well as, pain medicine everyday.)

I continued to have these episodes with the pain becoming worse and worse and the additional pain medicine not touching the pain.  I thought I was going to pass out from the pain, so I asked my mom to pick me up from work and take me back to the doctors.

The doctors sent me to the ER and then I was admitted into the hospital for 5 days of diagnostic testing.  It was determined that I need to go to Temple (a teaching hospital in Philadelphia).

Ready for the blessings?

The hospital staff in Lancaster could not have been nicer.  The food service workers to the nurses to the doctors were all super nice, kind, friendly, compassionate and competent.  The IV drugs in the hospital kept me very comfortable as I had one diagnostic test after the next.

One day my devotional that my loving husband read to me in the hospital was about how resting is a form of worship.  This was good news to hear, because I was only awake for a few hours a day, as the medicine to keep my comfortable also made me very sleepy.  Thus, I was getting my worshiping on in the hospital!

I was also blessed that Jack or my mom spent each night with me and every day by my side in the hospital.  I never felt alone or scared.

When I returned to work, I was happily surprised to discover that all the projects I had left half done, were completed by my co-workers.  My supervisor was more than understanding and allows me to take an hour and half lunch break, so I can take an hour nap each day at my parents’ house.  My family has also been wonderful at chauffeuring me to and from work, as I cannot drive while on Percocet. 

Yesterday, Jack received the call that I have an appointment at Temple on Monday, October 24th.  This is a miracle, because they are booked through December, but through a liaison here in Lancaster working with a liaison at Temple (and A LOT of prayer), they were able to get me in sooner.

Here are my prayer requests: first thanksgiving for all of the ways that the Lord has provided.  Second, for strength and trust as I persevere at work until I can be seen at Temple.  Third for my caregivers, especially Jack and my mom, who are helping me in a million ways.  Fourth, for wisdom for my doctors at Temple and complete healing.

For those of you who are technologically savvy, I have an odd request.  In the hospital and at home, I listen to a lot of music.  It takes energy to have my eyes open, so music is a great distraction when I am in pain or wrestles.  I would love to have a mix of your favorite inspirational/peppy songs.  I love all music from pop to rap to classical.  This way I can be distracted and thinking about you as I listen to your tunes.

Lastly, I would like to ask how I can pray for you.  I do not have a lot of energy, so phone calls are hard.  However, praying is a true delight and something I now do pretty much constantly.  When you have a chance, feel free to zing me an email with how I can pray for you.

Love and peace,

Becky

P.S. On the adoption process…our paperwork has been translated and is in Ethiopia.  The next step is a referral!  The estimated time is 2 years.  Please continue to pray for our forever children!