Prayers for Answers

In my last note, I mentioned how this new food diet has been helping me with my stomach issues/abdominal issues. The pain and nausea were present but just not as pronounced as it was before. I was able to be a lot more active and have more energy throughout the day. I was praying that this "new found" help would last and that I would have the discipline to stick to the diet (basically no meat, lots of veggies and fruits, and tofu)

I'm doing well sticking to my diet and continue to be on the diet on a regular basis. However, a couple of weeks ago, I started to again have the reoccurring excruciating right lower/ upper left pain. There were times I had to stay in bed laying down and taking Vicodin. There were days that eating would make me sick and even drinking just water would turn my stomach (this past Sunday was very bad for me) I've become very discouraged that what I thought was helping (the diet); doesn't seem to be working as it once had. I still want to keep on this vegetarian diet because meats are harder to digest then other foods.

I have an appointment with my GI doctor at UVA on the 31st but I know all too well that there still won't be any answers. They've already told me they've run every test that is available to them and the only thing that came up negative was the the signs of gastroperesis; however, that is not the only cause of my feeling terrible--- pain and nausea. The past couple of weeks, each time I eat I get sick and nausea (and those are really the only time I feel really really bad; other times I just have pain) I still force my self to function and keep busy so I don't just lay around doing nothing and concentrate on how bad I feel but there are days that laying down is all that I can do to feel "comfortable"

I've decided that at my next appointment to try to ask the doctor for a referral to another place (if he is willing). I am thinking about either John's Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, or Cleveland Clinic; that is, if I can get in and if I can a referral (or however that works). I'm somewhat unsure how much COBRA I have left and if I can renew it but I fear there is something there that the doctor's here are just not seeing or overlooking--- or maybe I have something so uncommon that it's not thought of that I may have it.

Please continue to pray for me as I struggle with this illness. I'm trying very hard to cling to God and His Provisions. He knows what is going on and it will be revealed in due time. Please pray that this discouragement won't turn into not trusting in God. Pray that if I do get into see other doctors that i will still have insurance coverage. Please pray answers would be found.

I thank each of you for keeping up with me and keeping me in your prayers.