Have you ever played the game where pieces of a puzzle are slowly revealed and you have to guess what the picture is? I am finding that is how Scleroderma is.
Yesterday our GI doctor called with the pathology results and lab results from last Friday's EGD scope. The pathology reports support the initial findings of no sign of Scleroderma in those tissues...PRAISE THE LORD!!
The lab work still supports and shows Scleroderma. What I am begining to understand is that Kara's lab work will always show Scleroderma antibodies because that is her "gene pool". The example the Rhematologist gave at our last appointment is that some will be positive for the breast cancer gene, but it doesn't mean they have breast cancer.
Just like the diagnosis of breast cancer is supported once a cancerous tumor has grown and is found, the diagnosis of Scleroderma must be supported by symptoms that are confirmed as such.
So, we simply have more pieces to the puzzle revealed, but we still cannot see that it is definitley Scleroderma that is causing her symptoms.
Tomorrow, Friday, we will see the GI doctor and will talk with her further. Then May 4th we will see the Rheumatologist again for more details. I'm not sure what will happen at these appointments, and to be honest, I'm not even going to try to guess. All I know is we serve a God who is bigger than any diagnosis that can ever be given!
An update on Kara...she had a nice stretch of feeling better. She started having back pains, but these seem as random as the leg and arm pains. Her fatigue seems to be better, but still not back to "normal". The heaviness in her tummy also seems to be a little better. She had her first tennis match last Saturday and seems to do well being active. She is sleeping better. Yesterday she did begin having some sharp pains again, but she is also not taking her Anaprox (Aleve-type anti-inflammatory) to see if that is what has been helping her. Keep praying!
In the wise words of Job chapter 11, who knew first hand that his God had bigger plans for his life than what his circumstances outwardly showed...
7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do?
They are deeper than the depths of the grave —what can you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.
10 "If he comes along and confines you in prison
and convenes a court, who can oppose him?
11 Surely he recognizes deceitful men;
and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
12 But a witless man can no more become wise
than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.
13 "Yet if you devote your heart to him
and stretch out your hands to him,
14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
15 then you will lift up your face without shame;
you will stand firm and without fear.
16 You will surely forget your trouble,
recalling it only as waters gone by.
17 Life will be brighter than noonday,
and darkness will become like morning.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
and many will court your favor.
Thank you for your continued prayers. May the Lord make your life brighter than noonday, may you be secure in the hope of Jesus, and may you take rest in His safety!
No comments:
Post a Comment