Medical Update

Well I've been home for one week, but it feels like about a month has gone by.  I was worried about how it might feel to be home, but mostly it all feels perfectly normal.  Zambia sometimes feels like it was in the distant past, and I'm regularly looking at photos to remind myself of names and memories of my friends there. 

The last week has been a crazy week.  My first night home began with a trip to the Emergency Department due to waking up with a violently upset stomach.  The bad side of this was of course being violently sick, but the good side was it put a jump start to the process of many lab tests. This was Sunday AM. 

Tuesday AM I got in to see my General Physician, for the sole purpose of him saying "yes you're sick, go see an Infectious Disease Specialist."  Duh, we knew this, yet the system requires his referral. 

Thankfully, we got an appointment Wednesday with an Infectious Disease specialist at Strong.  Though a very nice man, I felt like I knew more about malaria than he did.  Thankfully, he didnt charge us for the appointment and  he also made a phone call to Dr Shelly, the other Infectious Disease specialist in town.

Due to a cancelation by the Lord's grace, we were able to get an appointment with Dr Shelly on Friday morning. (They couldnt get us in for over two weeks).  In his office yesterday, my mom and I felt like we were finally with someone who knows what he's talking about.  So that's the good news.

The less good news, though not necessarily bad news, is that my blood work shows absolutely no signs that I've ever had malaria.  Though the doctor isnt completely ruling out malaria, he's not focusing on it.  Meaning a lot more blood work is in process right now, trying to come up with an answer. 

Why did I test 'positive' 3 times in Zambia?  Well, since malaria is so prevalent there, doctors/lab technicians tend to blanket diagnose people based on their symptoms.  If someone is sick, they need medicine.  If it seems like malaria, give them the medicine.  Since we dont have resources to do further testing to find out what is actually causing their symptoms, treat them for malaria.  The medical system deserves a blog post all to itself, and yes that will someday come.  The mystery is that I did in fact have blood smears done which the lab technicians diagnosed with malaria.  Because of the weakness of the medical system and possible faulty testing techniques, as well as my current blood work, the doctor and I are now questioning these diagnoses. 

Besides these doctors appointments, I've been sleeping for about 10-14 hours at night, and then 2-6 hours during the day.  My head feels like its going to explode.  Thankfully today, Saturday, I've managed to stay awake all day long and my head feels a teensy bit better. 

The good news about this is these test results make us suspicious of any positive malaria tests which Cindy and Mike have been diagnosed with, and they will be heading to South Africa this coming week for tests.   Also, people have been sick in Jembo recently with similar symptoms but not testing positive for malaria.  Meaning, something is up.  Perhaps me having to come home for testing will help solve the mystery. 

Thank you everyone for your prayers.  I know so many of you are very concerned and praying for me.  It means so much to know that you're beside me in prayer.  Now the prayers need to be directed in a bit of a different direction- for wisdom, guidance, and answers.  And of course, for healing. 

In the meantime, the doctor's orders included that my mother pamper me. I'm taking full advantage of that order :)  Really though, I'm so so very thankful that I'm home feeling this miserable with my wonderful parents taking care of me and that I'm finally in the hands of a good medical professional.  I'm missing Zambia every day, however, and sad for the plans I had to cancel this month.

I know that the Lord has good things in store during this trial (He promises us good! :) ).  Some of that good will surely include seeing some of you :)  However, with the way I'm feeling, I appreciate your patience in waiting till I'm significantly recovered...which the timing is of course very uncertain... I really dont think you want to watch me sleep anyway :)

Very gratefully Dr Shelly is keeping a close watch on me, and I have another appointment with him on Tuesday to go over the most recent lab results taken yesterday and discuss further testing.  So I'll keep you updated as things progress and as my energy allows.  Thanks for praying! God has answered so many prayers throughout this last week, I know he will continue to do so.