I'm just warning, it's a long one....

It's been a long week, and it's only Wednesday!! I know that some people that read this are on Mom's e-mail list to receive updates about her health. And I also know that Mom included me on her last e-mail to receive prayer for some health issues of my own. (Mom actually called after she sent it to make sure I wasn't mad that she included me without asking first, but in all honesty, I was truly grateful!)

So to start, there are some things going on. Since Christmas (or possibly before, since it wasn't checked until then), my blood pressure has been running a little high. After we first determined just how high at Christmas (the highest was about 190 over 108), I cut out adding any extraneous salt to my meals, and even leaving the salt shaker off the table, so I wouldn't be tempted to use it. As a result, the pressure came down, but still not all the way. There could be several reasons for this, including genetics, current medications and stress (the likely culprit!), but we're determined to get to the bottom of it.

Secondly, since I was a freshman in college, I've had a few dizzy spells (I think Mom actually called them sinking spells today, if I'm not mistaken, and that actually fits a whole lot better, since when I get them, I get shaky, short of breath, blurry vision, and just feel like I'm going to pass out, or "sink"). As a freshman, I only had two that I can think of, the first of which forced me to get up in my history class (with 200 people), and make my way slowly back to the dorm, where my roommate and suitemates rushed to get me real Coca-Cola and peanut butter cups. Within ten minutes, I felt almost completely better. Since then, the spells have affected me in about the same way, but there was never a real pattern as to a time of day, or following certain foods. The last one (before yesterday) was when I was in Spain, and was a little scary, since there was no accessibility to high-sugar foods. I ended up eating two or three granola bars and two oranges. It took a long time to come back from being dizzy, since the sugar content in those two foods wasn't as high as I actually needed.

Other symptoms have just included my stomach swelling, and constant digestion problems (which I actually think have gotten better since I started eating Activia - I'm definitely a believer!).

So, what to do?

I went to the doctor in Dadeville, AL last Tuesday morning (this is a doctor that Mom knew when she worked at SAMC, so definitely somebody we trust). After she came in, and expressed a little concern over the fact that I had come in as a walk-in with all of this to sort out, I just sort of lost it, and couldn't stop crying. We finally talked everything out, and got a plan sorted out for getting some tests underway. They did an EKG in the office that day (which we found out today was normal). At that time, they also went ahead and scheduled an Echocardiogram (I guess I should have inserted a disclaimer at the beginning that warned against my medical spellings), and a Glucose Tolerance Test. They scheduled those for yesterday, so I had to be at East Alabama Medical Center by 7:00 am, and I had to fast.

They took me back really fast for the echocardiogram, and went ahead and got things underway. After determining that they couldn't really get the picture they needed, they decided to do what they called a "bubble," which was basically just a saline flush. The nurse came in to get the IV started, but had a lot of trouble with it. She ended up blowing a vein on top of my arm, searching for a good five minutes for one on top of my hand (before giving up and asking someone else to help), and then finally getting one in on the underside of my arm. I kept reassuring her (through my tears) that it wasn't her fault, and that I really wasn't in that much pain (lie), and that I was sure she was a really great nurse. I hated that she was so upset, because I know that sometimes things just happen (my arm definitely reflects that today!). After finishing with the Echo, they sent me over to the lab to begin the Glucose Tolerance Test.

I got to the lab, and ended up having to wait for an hour before they could begin. At that point, I had not eaten anything for about 12 hours. They took the initial blood, and a urine sample, and then had me drink this lemon-lime sugar water. After that, they had to take blood, and a urine sample, every thirty minutes for an hour, and then at the two hour mark, and the three hour mark. I was fine (albeit hungry), until about the two hour mark, when I began feeling that familiar clammy feeling that comes with the dizzy spells. I told the lab tech about it, and she said just to let her know if it got any worse. By two hours and 45 minutes, I knew I couldn't last any longer. I was shaking hysterically, getting short of breath, and having the blurry vision come and go. I went back and told her that if she didn't go ahead and take the blood early, I would pass out, and we would end up having to do the whole thing over again. Thankfully, we took it about ten minutes early, and they got me some orange juice, graham crackers and Oreos. Within five minutes, I was fine (still a little shaky in recovery), and ready to leave and get some real food.

I ended up taking the rest of the day off to just come home and rest, and that did a world of good. My good friend, Christin Lee, also came last night to help cheer me up (she actually texted me telling me she was praying for me during all the tests - the Lord is so good). She spent the night last night, and we had a great time talking, and catching up. THANK YOU SO MUCH CHRISTIN!!

So...the results. Mom talked to the doctor today, and called me a little while ago with the results. As I already said, the EKG and the initial bloodwork taken at the doctor's office last week came back fine. We don't have the results from the Echo yet, as a cardiologist has to read that first. What we do have are the results from the Glucose Tolerance Test. My initial blood sugar at the beginning of the study was 92. At 30 minutes, it was 105. At one hour, it was 102. At two hours, it was 100. And by three hours, it had, in fact, crashed to 60. The doctor assured Mom that this did NOT mean I was a diabetic, but that I WAS on that borderline. So, what to do? Mainly, lose weight. Don't we all just love that answer! But if it means the difference between going on additional medication or not, then I'm up for the challenge. Maybe this time, with actual real-time consequences, I'll be able to stick with a plan. The doctor really believes that if I can lose the weight I've gained over the past two years (at least 30 pounds), plus more if possible, then a lot of these problems may be able to work themselves out. The problem with losing weight though, is how to do it healthily, since the unhealthy way of skipping meals or simply eating less, is not an option with the low blood sugar. Mom and Dad are coming Friday, and we're hoping to work out an attainable plan then.

For right now though, I really covet your prayers. Not your thoughts, as I really don't care if you think about me or not, but your prayers. There is absolutely no way this butter loving, cake and cookie baking, soul-food making Southern girl is going to lose weight (and lose these potentially serious health problems) without straight-up prayers to God. So, if you're not on the best terms with him, I'm selfishly asking you to change that! If not for you at first, then for me.

I know this has been a REALLY long post, but it's definitely the easiest way to update everyone at the same time, and have an outlet to openly ask for prayer. I'll definitely keep the updates coming, even though this week, along with the next couple of weeks, are going to be the busiest and probably the most stressful of the year. And from now on, I'll try to post the updates a little more regularly, so you won't have quite as much to take in at one time!! For now though, I'll leave you with some of the most amazing cloud formations I've ever seen, taken over the past week.

In Panama City, this was the remnants of a water spout (not the best picture, but you get the gist).

In Eufaula (it's not a tornado, but it definitely looks like one!)

In Auburn (this was a thunderstorm coming out of the Northwest as soon as I got home from Dothan Sunday night)