The continuous Journey
Last I wrote, I wrote to you all about how I was in the hospital and was discharged on the 13th, only to find myself back in the hospital Friday night (14th)/Saturday morning with the exact same symptoms but worse. I was so sick to my stomach, so feeble, tired, and in PAIN. I called my doctor at night and he told me to go back to the ER to get re-admitted. Not fun. I got poked so many times to get an IV in me and blood work. They tested me for gallstones, kidney stones, etc etc and all came out negative and I was admitted back in the hospital Saturday morning.
I was not feeling well, not feeling hungry, and just plain hurting and sick to my stomach. Finally, the GI doctors were paged for consult, which is what I thought should have happened in the first place. For two days I was on a clear liquid diet; then one day I wasn't allowed anything to drink until my exam... My original GI doctor wasn't the one taken over my case because since I was in patient, I had to get whoever was on call; so I got Dr. Arnold who effectively took action and said I needed an endoscopy. Unfortunately, it didn't show anything extra ordinary than the last time I had it 3-4 yrs ago. My frustration was running high and they continued to draw blood 2-3 times A DAY to run tests after tests after tests. Finally, it was concluded that my cortisol (adrenal glands), my sodium, my potassium, liver enzymes, and thyroid levels were off....especially my cortisol levels. But here's the thing: they weren't sure if it was off that was causing my nausea and vomiting or was it my nausea and vomiting causing it to be off; but I was put on various medications throughout my week's stay in the hospital. I was on IV fluids for 4 days; and did eat real meals until my last 2 days there, which didn't do so well on my stomach either. I had to take nasty potassium drinks and was put on steroids for a few days to see if it will boost my cortisol levels, which it hasn't yet. So, they still haven't figured out the exact cause of all this but they do know that I have some kind of adrenal insufficiency. I figured I can feel "horrible" at home and begged to go home this past Saturday (yesterday..5/22) and the doctors agreed that I was ready but I am on a strict "bland" diet, low activities, and rest orders from my doctors. I follow up with my PCP on Thursday, and then follow up w/ my GI in a few weeks. They are thinking of doing a gastric emptying test because I told them my most problem is eating "large" (as in eating a whole meal) at once makes me sicker than eating a few bites here and there; so they are questioning whether it is stomach muscle and liver enzymes not working in sync.
During this time, I found out my work "let go of me". Honestly I am not sure what grounds they have but at this point I just really need to concentrate on getting my strength back and my health back and then concentrate on finding a new job. I trust that God is in control of all of this and there is a reason why this happened. I have heard a few of my coworkers were not too happy when they heard I wasn't coming back and I couldn't really share much with them as to why because I myself don't know the full details. All I know is that I have a certified mail waiting for me to be picked up at the post office from my work place. I think it is kind of a rude way to tell someone you "are let go" but oh well. My Father in Heaven will take care of me and make sure that things will work out---that is the attitude I want and want to keep.
Please continue to pray for me as I recover and during my recovery to not worry about my job situation and such. I plan to read over the paperwork extra carefully before signing anything and my brother in law is going to help me go through it. Please pray for gradual strength and endurance for the day as I tire easily; please pray for my appetite to soon return to normal as I still struggle with certain foods and get sick easily. I'm on a bland diet (crackers/brooth; Chinese porridge, etc) and mom is slowly in cooperating proteins and such in my diet. I am doing okay with this protein shake I have which is good and does give me some energy; but I still get tired very fast and easily. Please pray that soon enough I can be able to find work and get insurance that I need, so desperately.
I was not feeling well, not feeling hungry, and just plain hurting and sick to my stomach. Finally, the GI doctors were paged for consult, which is what I thought should have happened in the first place. For two days I was on a clear liquid diet; then one day I wasn't allowed anything to drink until my exam... My original GI doctor wasn't the one taken over my case because since I was in patient, I had to get whoever was on call; so I got Dr. Arnold who effectively took action and said I needed an endoscopy. Unfortunately, it didn't show anything extra ordinary than the last time I had it 3-4 yrs ago. My frustration was running high and they continued to draw blood 2-3 times A DAY to run tests after tests after tests. Finally, it was concluded that my cortisol (adrenal glands), my sodium, my potassium, liver enzymes, and thyroid levels were off....especially my cortisol levels. But here's the thing: they weren't sure if it was off that was causing my nausea and vomiting or was it my nausea and vomiting causing it to be off; but I was put on various medications throughout my week's stay in the hospital. I was on IV fluids for 4 days; and did eat real meals until my last 2 days there, which didn't do so well on my stomach either. I had to take nasty potassium drinks and was put on steroids for a few days to see if it will boost my cortisol levels, which it hasn't yet. So, they still haven't figured out the exact cause of all this but they do know that I have some kind of adrenal insufficiency. I figured I can feel "horrible" at home and begged to go home this past Saturday (yesterday..5/22) and the doctors agreed that I was ready but I am on a strict "bland" diet, low activities, and rest orders from my doctors. I follow up with my PCP on Thursday, and then follow up w/ my GI in a few weeks. They are thinking of doing a gastric emptying test because I told them my most problem is eating "large" (as in eating a whole meal) at once makes me sicker than eating a few bites here and there; so they are questioning whether it is stomach muscle and liver enzymes not working in sync.
During this time, I found out my work "let go of me". Honestly I am not sure what grounds they have but at this point I just really need to concentrate on getting my strength back and my health back and then concentrate on finding a new job. I trust that God is in control of all of this and there is a reason why this happened. I have heard a few of my coworkers were not too happy when they heard I wasn't coming back and I couldn't really share much with them as to why because I myself don't know the full details. All I know is that I have a certified mail waiting for me to be picked up at the post office from my work place. I think it is kind of a rude way to tell someone you "are let go" but oh well. My Father in Heaven will take care of me and make sure that things will work out---that is the attitude I want and want to keep.
Please continue to pray for me as I recover and during my recovery to not worry about my job situation and such. I plan to read over the paperwork extra carefully before signing anything and my brother in law is going to help me go through it. Please pray for gradual strength and endurance for the day as I tire easily; please pray for my appetite to soon return to normal as I still struggle with certain foods and get sick easily. I'm on a bland diet (crackers/brooth; Chinese porridge, etc) and mom is slowly in cooperating proteins and such in my diet. I am doing okay with this protein shake I have which is good and does give me some energy; but I still get tired very fast and easily. Please pray that soon enough I can be able to find work and get insurance that I need, so desperately.
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