In Oceans Deep..

Another diagnosis.. yep, it's true.

For the past 3-4 months I have been having some really severe stomach issues and we really didn't have any idea what was going on.

Yesterday morning, we woke up at 5:45 and drove up to Sioux Falls for an Upper Endoscopy.

 

By 8:00 I had an IV in and was getting ready to be put under some pretty heavy sedation.

 

8:30 started the procedure. 

Basically what they did, was once I was out they shoved a camera down my throat and looked around, then took a bunch of biopsies.

When I woke up, they told us two things:

  1) I have Acid Reflux Disease. No big surprise there, as it runs very, very heavily in my dad's family. There is obviously no cure for this, but there's medication to help. Not a big deal.

  2) I have a form of IBS. IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The only thing different from my IBS to normal IBS, is that normal IBS means there's only pain after you eat. My IBS has constant pain. Sounds fun, eh? Mmmmmm, no. The problem with this is, there is no cure and there are only a few meds in which they can use to somewhat control it, but my body is not going to react well to them.

So, I have another diagnosis. It sucks, but at least we know what it is and how to handle it. 

It meant the world to me to have my mom and Dan with my yesterday.. even though I am less than pleasant when waking up from sedation. 

I feel like I am drowning in an ocean of uncertainty and confusion.. But I know I'm not the only one who's feeling that way right now.

So many hugs and prayers going out to my friends and family all across Northwest Iowa, Southeast South dakota, and Northeast Nebraska. 

For those who aren't from the area, the flooding and storms have begun to totally wash away our towns.

Praying that the water would stop rising and people could get their homes back.

Sadly, a lot of people will be going home to destroyed homes. 

I do not know what the Lord's plan is with this all- with my new diagnosis, with the weather destroying our community; but I do know this. We mustn't question His Mighty Plan. Maybe it's just me, but I firmly believe that the Lord can use broken and wretched things to turn us to Him, to open our eyes.

In my new diagnosis, I believe He is using my pain to bring hope.

In our community, I believe He is using dirty river water to help people see that we cannot do things alone; we need EACH OTHER. And most importantly, we need HIM.

Taking reference from Hillsong's 'Oceans', whether in oceans deep, physically or figuratively, we need to call upon HIS name and do what some may think to impossible right now: trust. Trust that He has NEVER failed, so why would He now?

xoxo,

gp