CindyFrench-stranger than fiction stories

about facing life with hope and confidence, no matter the diagnosis

Archive for the category “surviving major health issues”

07 Jan 2012
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A Breakthrough

I thought I had all of the answers the last time I wrote. Oh, how wrong I was on that one! I thought we had understood and really comprehended what I have, what I need to do, the consequences when I don’t–but as I began to read about immunoglobulin disorder, I’ve found it’s not so simple-especially mine, since it is genetic. The one light hope is that a friend of mine is in the business and has great reassured me about the safety of the infusions, because to get one small little infection would be a catastrophe for me. My numbers in that particular area are so low, that I truly have no immunity and I have no stamina. I also can no longer be on Remicaid, the only thing keeping the RA pain under control so I am back to Vicodin of course you really can’t take it as often as you need to because you have to work. I also found out that Vitamin D has to do with your immunity and I don’t make it either! I wish I had had my docs really conferring together two years ago-might have avoided some of last year, but I know there were lessons that God wanted me to learn through everything. 

I have to admit to being a little overwhelmed this week. I’ve been trying to do what the doc said, trying to work, trying to be a wife.. I know that’s what they’ll tell me on Monday anyway.Each morning Dennis and I have prayed for wisdom and guidance, for strength and healing for me and I would just do what I had to do. Work through my day. Get it done. But today as I was driving home from a couple of errands, I started to pray as I passed a couple of churches and then the sun broke through the clouds. It was beautiful and the Lord began to tell me again that I could do all things through Him. That He knew that pain and would bear it for me. He reminded me that nothing touches me that hasn’t been filtered through the Father. I told him I was glad they had such confidence in me, but that I am not that sure of me at all. That’s when Jesus reminded me that he carries me when things get to be too much for me.

SO FINALLY, all of a sudden, I felt this release and I could then say thank you  for my circumstances, whatever they may be, because I know that when the Lord takes me places, He puts me with people that need to hear about Jesus.  Then I began to pray for those people that the Lord is going to bring to me. That He will be calling to them, preparing their hearts and minds for the Good News.

Posted in Christianity, rheumatoid arthritis, surviving major health issues, systemic diseases, Uncategorized
11 Dec 2011
2 Comments

A Systemic Infection!

I saw the pulmonologist. He said there is no need for the bronscopy, he knows it’s everywhere, now that he knows what it is.  As I did, he can track all my infections this year, and the thrush, and the smell. Of course, he looked at me and said “only you!”)  He has put me on an antifungal medicine that is many times stronger than the usual dose. Of course he had to explain that to the insurance company. But I am sure that they want me well so that I don’t continue with so many hospitilizations! And he told them this was the only way! So on the first night  I took 2 pill (400mg) instead of the usual 1pill. Then I am to take them for the next 13 days -gives me a full 2 weeks on the medicine- whereas most people only take the pills for as long as 3 days!  and I don’t know if part of the pill dosage can make a person drag-but this person is! Still I know it is extremely difficult to get rid of and I must get rid of it. They have STOPPED MY REMICAID untill I am rid of it! So now I will be crippled too pretty shortly.

Please pray that I will be strong in the Lord. That I will pray as I know and have experienced! That I will not get down with the pain and let it beat me! I am reading his promises for healing. I  am going to list them so that you can pray as I am praying them-there is power in that.

Jeremiah 17:14  Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.

Psalm 77:10-14 I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work. And talk of Your deeds, Your way, O God is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.

Psalm 6:2-3 Be merciful to me , Lord, for I am faint; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?    (I underlined these verses in July of 04. I had not found Remicaid yet)

and then all of Psalm 90 which I won’t quote the whole thing here, just a short passage: 90:13-17  Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all or days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.  May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands –yes, establish the work of our hands.  (underlined in August 20110, BUT  a lot of underlining in my old handwriting so pre 2005)

Posted in asthma, Bible study, life stories, Prayer, Religion, rhuematoid arthritis, surviving major health issues and tagged , , , , ,
04 Dec 2011
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FINALLY, AN ANSWER! –OF COURSE, NOT THE ONE I WANTED

I had an endoscopy this last week. It was to check my reflux-in fact to put a little camera in to measure things for 48 hours. We also did it to make sure I hadn’t grown any new polyps this year. Last year, there were 11 of them between my esophagus and stomach.

We ALL got the surprise of our lives to see that I had a fungus ( candidas) growing out of control covering my esophagus all the way down to my stomach. When it is in the esophagus like that they call it, esophagitis. Traditional treatment is Nystatin. It doesn’t work.  I came home and promptly googled everything about the bacteria/fungus. Although it is a natural bacteria residing in the body, when it gets out of wack, it is very dangerous and can make a person very sick. This I know for sure. I believe, based on my reading that I have systemic candidas. Everything that has gone wrong with me this year can be traced back to it. Even the smell of the “bug” as I called it. I could smell it. I kept describing as a sickly sweet smell-yes, yeast! And candidas affects ears, the mouth, intestinal gas, bladder and kidney infections, asthma, RA–does any of this sound familiar? It’s amazing that when it gets in your intestines, it can release 70 different toxins. And of course no culture ever came back positive. Candida is natural to the body!

So I have a plan of action! I am not going to succumb to this! Now that I have a name to pray against and lock up, I will. When I see my pulmonologist next week, I will ask for a bronchosopy. It stands to reason that if its on my esophagus, its on my trachea, in my bronchii, maybe even my lungs–which would explain all the horrendous attacks…yet again why there was no culture. I have also researched a supplement that I have been told about that should really impact this problem-called Protamdin. I have a printout on it and am taking it to the doctor too. Finally all the websites suggested a complete nutritional change-perhaps something as radical as gluten free. I will work with a nutritionist on that. Those are the actions I can take. But mostly I am going to the throne room of my Lord God. I am going to ask for healing of this scourge. Again, now that we know the name, we can pray against it and bind it in Jesus Christ’s name.

I certainly believe it is worse because of my witness. I am out front and center in Linkedin now-this blog address is listed. My beliefs are listed. And when replying to any discussion, it is always whatever God tells me to write. But greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world.

 

Posted in asthma, christian, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal reflux disease, life stories, Prayer, rheumatoid arthritis, Spirituality, surviving major health issues and tagged , , , , , ,
27 Oct 2011
4 Comments

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Have you ever read a scripture so many times that you are sure of its meaning until you read it one more time–and then God turns you on your ear and says, “no, this is what it means?” Well this is one of those times. I was doing my Bible study lesson and reading about Peter, the Apostle and how God prepared Peter to meet and then preach and baptize Gentiles-something that as a proper Jew he would have never done-to do so would have been to become unclean. But God showed Peter a better way.

God could speak to him and show him a better way because Peter lived in close communion with Him. He was heavily involved in all of the church work at Jerusalem, but he never let it take away from his time with God in prayer. OH That Lesson Right There Is For Me! but there is more. Peter knew that God would choose the places for him to work and to preach, to testify of Jesus. So Here is The Real Kicker For Me–Do I choose what I will do and then expect God to bless it because it is good, beneficial work, or “Christian work”.  Or do I pray first so that God can tell me where He wants me to work  and when He wants me to do it.  Is this not the most important lesson I can learn and re-learn? Because when I do this, WHATEVER the work is, He blesses it enormously, and if I don’t ask-forget to ask, He blesses, but not as much. Because it isn’t doing the right, best thing He wanted done.

How marvelous are the scriptures when you just take a little time with them. This so reminds me of my Mama. She was a Bible student. I almost never saw her reading a “regular book”. She always said there wasn’t enough time to learn all that she needed to know-and this was the best Book to teach her. I am ashamed to say she nagged me a bit about it and at that time of my life  I wasn’t so interested in the things of God or what He had to say to me. It’s interesting that God gives us just enough rope to get into trouble, but He never lets go of us.  That time of my life that I went  through-when everything I touched was gold and I didn’t have a care in the world–I didn’t know what was coming down the pike! But God had a plan for me-to refine me and make me more like Jesus-to make me His witness to all those He was going to bring into my world. It was a lot of work for Him, but He says” He will accomplish that which He has started in us”. And I had given him my heart when I was twenty, so He had every right to begin the work in me…unfortunately for me and for most of us, that work will continue until we meet Him face to face some day.  And I say unfortunately, because the work is HARD, it is being stripped down naked and refinished by the Father, but with every little gain, “I can say oh, this was worth it!”

Posted in Bible study, Christianity, life stories, Religion, Spirituality, surviving major health issues and tagged , , ,
23 Oct 2011
1 Comment

Acts 8 and 9

This year we are studying the Acts of the Apostles. I am been amazed at how present day these verses are for us, for me. Acts 8, the Apostles and believers began to scatter due to persecution after the stoning of Stephen. But those who scattered, preached the Word wherever they went. I believe that by forcing the believers out of Jerusalem, they witnessed for Christ throughout Judea and Samaria and eventually to the world.

Disruption and displacement in life are usually painful, but the new place can expand into new work and new effectiveness. What change is happening in your life right now? Have you ever considered your present trial as an opportunity for expansion? I had to look at that question and really think about it as I was asked. I don’t think I have thought all my trials and circumstances were an opportunity to go somewhere different, maybe have a different ministry. I have never thought about it like that. But now that I have, I see that there are so many other parts of my life Jesus wants to work on besides this old body! yes He has used it to teach me things–about idols, about tithing, about being thankful and satisfied–yes I have learned my lessons well. Yet I do see there is so much more to learn–so much more about the Word and even how the Holy Spirit works, so much more about what I am to do vs just praying. Not that prayer is not important. That will never go away from me; it’s how the Father and I communicate. But I am reading about ACTS and DOING and feeling like He is going to be telling me what new thing I need to do.

As I was reading about Paul’s time in the desert for 3 years with the Lord, I realized earlier tonight that I too have been in the desert with the Lord for about 3 1/2 years now. He told me in a dream that I was going to go through the hardest times of my life, but that He would be with me every step of the way and sometimes would even have to carry me…and yes, He has. As I re-read some of my early 2009 posts forward, I see that indeed I have been changed. So maybe that time is coming to an end. I certainly hope so!!  I hope that I am ready to walk through whatever new door He wants to open for me. All I know is that I wouldn’t go back to the person I once was. I am so thankful that God never lets go of us-regardless of whether we let go of Him–and that He will accomplish His purpose. ” And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Posted in 4 spritual laws, Christianity, Religion, Spirituality, surviving major health issues and tagged , , , ,
17 Oct 2011

Our New Life

We moved over the holiday weekend. Our kids came down and helped -a lot! I was very thankful. It took about a month, but finally we settled in–Sweet Dennis doing everything, unpacking, and re-tooling or fixing things to work for us in a better way. And we are only 10 minutes from the hospital! I can honestly say that I am truly satisfied–I think for the first time in my life. I have been wondering about why that is. Certainly my circumstances have changed financially, but that wouldn’t make a person want less-usually only more so! I don’t have everything I used to have in my new place-all the extra nice finishes, etc, but amazingly, that doesn’t bother me! Me who grew up wanting the perfect house-and actually having it for 7 years–not missing it or the finishes. The service people who have continued to see us have asked how we like the new place–all I can say is that I am so happy to have it and so comfortable and so satisfied. That is an amazing personality change for me, I have to admit. I was a shopper; I loved clothes and shoes and jewelry. I always wanted my house just so–and it was. 

This spring I took a personality profile for a client. I knew exactly what it would say. I had taken them previously for my company and I fit their GM profile perfectly-high dominance, high extraversion, high impatience. Imagine my surprise when my profile was read to me–dominance was mid-line (normal), high extraversion, high PATIENCE.  WHAT???   I kept asking my client if he was sure that he was reading it correctly. He was sure, of course–what was wrong? As far as he was concerned, this was a good profile of me! I asked him to email me the results so that I could read them over. And yes, really I had somehow changed.        

Now these seem to be two disconnected little stories, don’t they? But do you know that psychologists and all those who put those tests together and study behavior-especially life long behavior say that you can not change your basic personality traits; that their tests are such that regardless of how someone might try to “fix” the profile to match what the company is looking for, it is simply impossible to do that. So then my question had to be how was I so profoundly changed?  And for me anyway, these changes were truly profound.

After prayer and talking with my Holy Father, reading His Word, and at the leading of the Holy Spirit I began to find verses that said that we would be changed by the Word. It is sharper than a two-edged sword and cuts to the very marrow of the bone.    So after all the reading and praying and talking, I realized that God has been refining me just as He said He would. NOT THAT I HAVE “ARRIVED”, but only that finally there is some progress and growth in my life. This is encouragement to me and I hope to others that you can never be too old to change, for God to work on you or through you.                               

 

Posted in asthma, Bible study, christian, life stories, surviving major health issues and tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment
26 Jun 2011

God’s Work in the Hospital

My first night, I woke up needing a breathing treatment. I had a really nice nurse and she sat with me while I got settled down. I told her of my daughter Laurel who had called to let me know she was feeling called into full time Christian service in Venezuela to a group called the Jonas Project. These are small boys who have been taken off the streets who have been abused, prostituted, into drug use, abandoned–you name it. The project people take these boys and give them schooling, room and board and tell them about Jesus. When I told the nurse about this-she knew about the PROJECT-in fact her church supports it! She asked that my Laurel come and talk with them about her calling. And later, when her husband came to pick her up, he came in to tell me about a Bible college-Crown College in Tn that she should check out as she will need training! Wow! at 3:30 in the morning.

Then my tech came in next and  she asked me how I had spent the weekend. I told her of my successful garage sale. She asked if I were selling a sofa. I was, but it hadn’t sold. She bought it. What a blessing that was for me!

On Monday I got a roommate whose husband was with her. Soon we were talking about our similar illnesses and how we coped. Very quickly God came into the conversation. They both professed Jesus as their Savior, but admitted to some major addictions.  Off and on as we spoke (the roommate and I) I just shared scripture as God gave it to me. In the middle of the night, when again I was taking a breathing treatment and then she was, I was reading in my Bible and thought the Lord might have a Word for me. But no, the word was for my roommate! I read her scriptures from 4 different passages as God led me along. Together, based on our earlier talk, we knew this was specifically for her. Amazing! I wrote it all down for her since she didn’t have her Bible with her. The first thing she did the next day was share it with her husband.

Tuesday came and I knew my stats had been good and that I was going home. I did a little work on my laptop before the doctor came and he said he wanted me to walk around the floor with a pulse ox to monitor my oxygen level to make sure it didn’t go down below 90. Otherwise I would have had to go home with oxygen.  He had a student nurse walk with me. Just a few minutes into our walk, she asked me if she could ask me a question. Of course was my answer. She asked me “aren’t you afraid when you have those asthma attacks?” Well if you read my writing about the night of May 5th, you know my answer!! So we just finished the story when we got back to my room. She asked if she could hug me. Of course, I answered, and you must be a believer too! She said, “I am” I asked if I could tell her one more story…so I told her of learning to pray. Of reading in Isaiah 37 of King Hezekiah and his prayer to the Lord, and then Nehemiah 1 and his prayer to the Lord and to all the prophets and how they prayed–which was so different than the way I prayed. And she admitted how she prayed. So I asked her to pray like they prayed for the next 2 weeks and when petitioning, to be very, very specific. And then to watch what God would do. At the end of that time, a book called the Papa Prayer by Larry Crabb might make some sense to her.

My youth pastor stepped into my room as she left. He told me I didn’t look sick. I explained that God’s work was done and I was going home. He said the other pastors told me about you–what’s been happening? So I told him some and then he asked what I needed. “I need rest and no asthma attacks for awhile; we’re moving.” I replied.  He said that the pastors did lift me up in prayer everyday-how wonderful is that? and he has teenagers–could they help us move boxes? So looks like all of the stuff we won’t get done this weekend, they will be available to load and bring to the new house on Tuesday. What a blessing!

Posted in 4 spritual laws, asthma, christian, surviving major health issues and tagged , | Leave a Comment
26 Jun 2011

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE

I just got out of the hospital from my 3rd asthma attack since May 5th. Lucky me, this time I only stayed 3 days, but God’s work was done and I was so tired!

Last Sunday morning, upon waking, I realized I could hardly breathe. My husband could hear me struggling across the room. He told me to get dressed, we were going to the hospital. I wanted to pack some things, but he wanted to get to the hospital right away. When I first arrived, my stats weren’t that bad, but within the 15, may be 20 minutes of triage and waiting on a bed, I started going down quickly. What a difference  it was having a group of nurses and doctors who knew just what to do, when  to do, how to do. The doctor came in right away, ordered an HOUR breathing treatment (they are usually only about 10-15 min), some other drugs, tests and said he was calling my pulmonologist. The breathing treatment was WONDERFUL! If I could live in that bubble all the time, I could breathe-no problem! Unfortunately, it doesn’t last too long and soon the coughing and extreme breathlessness comes back-even with oxygen on.

Still do you notice something fantastic here is happening? I am not fearful or panicked. Just as God had promised on May 5th, He was there with me. I was so calm. I think the nurses were worried–they asked me–I said “it’s a God thing” .  I had prayed on the way, that God would be there with me, I asked him not to take me yet , I am moving next weekend and wanted to get my husband settled, and some personal business settled, IF He, the Lord, was ok with that. If I was just going because there were people I was to give witness to-as before-then that was fine too. Of course I wish He didn’t have to use an asthma attack to get me there-but that seems to be the way of it for now.

Read the next post for what He did…

Posted in 4 spritual laws, christian, life stories, surviving major health issues and tagged , | Leave a Comment
19 Sep 2010

Using the 4 Spiritual Laws

As I mentioned on my last posting, I had some really great news to share! I’ve often said that God never wastes an experience and He certainly used my time in the hospital.

On Thursday night after I was finally feeling better and more able to talk, I got a new roommate from across the hall as they needed her room for a contagious patient. The next morning I was able to talk to my student nurse and then my daughter about what Jesus was doing in my life right and my roommate wanted to hear! So I took my little “4 laws” booklet over to her bedside and together we went through it. She understood so clearly! And when I got to the prayer part where one can ask Jesus to come in to one’s life, she prayer there, right out loud! We finished the book together with her making notes in a little notebook. She also gave me her name and number for me to follow up with her. I am trying to arrange transportation for her to church when she is better. Now, she has a reason to go and worship!

My student nurse and I had this private suspended time while she was waiting on something or someone. It gave me the time to ask her questions about her schooling, time left, her family. Just stuff like that. Then out of my mouth came, “What are you going to teach your baby daughter?” That certainly was not a question I remember ever having asked before! But God knew it was the right question, because she didn’t know and she was worried about it. I asked her if she wanted to know some of the answers and of course she did! I gave her the other little booklet that I had and we talked about her coming to know Our Savior.

What a blessing Friday was! To have come through so much all week and then have God so richly use me was/is indescribable! Sometimes we do have to suffer to get where Jesus wants us to go. Obviously I couldn’t get well too fast, I needed to be there Friday! Now I am home on restriction, but am improving.

Posted in 4 spritual laws, asthma, christian, life stories, surviving major health issues, Uncategorized and tagged , , , | Leave a Comment
18 Sep 2010

Once Again, I Step Past the Bullets!

I don’t think I mentioned my last 2 blogs that once again, I have been dealing with my asthma. It is certainly a thorn in my side! But on Thurs the 9th  I was in to see the doctor because I once again needed more prednesone. I actually saw the PA and she didn’t like what I sounded like or how I looked and prescribed a pretty high dose of the prednesone (60 mg/day) for the next few days and said to come back in on Monday afternoon. Which I did. I knew I wasn’t better and probably needed IV meds, but was shocked when they could hardly hear me breathing…I couldn’t take a deep breath…and it was right to the hospital for me. Yes, I drove myself, instead of asking for help. I obviously wasn’t thinking clearly and I am used to doing for myself. At any rate, by the time I got there I was in some distress and needed the meds pretty quickly. My inhaler had really quit doing its job. My first clue that something was really wrong was when my nurse couldn’t hear anything and called another nurse in. I didn’t turn the corner till Wednesday this time. The first time ever that IV solu-medrol hasn’t worked a miracle the first time I got it. And when my doc was really grim on Wed am’s visit, I decided it was really time for me to talk to the Lord about the situation.

I have always looked upon these little hospitalizations as God’s vacation for me and the opportunity to share His Good News with those in whom I come into contact. This was actually serious though. I was getting 80 mg. of IV steroids every 6 hours and 2 different breathing treatments every 4 hours around the clock. And I wasn’t getting better! I was really too pooped to do much of any of the necessary work I had with me to do–but of course I pushed myself to do the stuff that had to get done. (references for a job offer) Otherwise, I just monitored my Blackberry for emergencies, but no working, a real first for me!

Finally Wednesday night, the nurses could hear some breath sounds! I know it was because I was being lifted up in church that very night at the midweek service. I had already had a call from one of the pastors and my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) leader had come and prayed for me Wed afternoon. I really believe that those prayers turned the tide for me. Thursday was so much better that they lowered the steroid dosage and let me sleep through the night without breathing treatments. A good night’s sleep is just as much good medicine, you know.

But my best day was Friday!! Read my next post to find out what God did!!

Posted in 4 spritual laws, asthma, christian, life stories, surviving major health issues and tagged , , | Leave a Comment

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