1 Corinthians 10:31

It's been a good morning here but a bit tired and my mucus is thicker and green when it was lighter and thinner yesterday. This is kind of normal as we start to fight the infection. They are slowing it down more cause I'm requiriing more hydroxixine to tolerate it. When they started it yesterday evening my head immediately felt heavy. I tend to try and 'tough things out" and then end up behind the wheel feeling miserable so I'm taking hydroxixine every 6 hours along with the Zosyn. I started out only taking it once the first day. Then twice a day for the next couple so that gives you an idea that my body is definitely not liking the anitbiotics but we press on. The doc said they could add meclizine to try and help the vertigo if I need to so we'll see what happens. I drifted in and out of sleep during this livestream but the end was so good: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do ALL to the glory to God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mBLvCO6pDG0&t=6s I'm still sleepy so I'll try and update more later today. :) In the Love of the Lamb, Rachelle

Got to See Jord 💜

Got to spend some time with my hubby and now it's nap time… Goodbyes are the hardest, though, especially now, not knowing when I'll be able to go home. thankfully, I am never alone and my God is Emmanuel--God with me!

BlogThis!

…Aaaaannnndddd Surprise…Growing Mold in my Lungs

so a different doctor just came to see me than I was expecting and asked about if I had ever cultured Aspergillus fungus. The last time I culture that was in October 2010 and the treatment of that led to my first staring into psychosis, where I almost died. I remember the doctor telling me that the treatment for fungal infections with steroids and lots of them, which is why she put me on such a high dose. Obviously I can't take steroids so he asked quite a few questions and I said he go talk to Dr. Garcia and they would be back. So this could mean discharge plans could be put on hold. Jord is on his way down and I'm thankful that I know my God isn't surprised by this and He has a perfect plan and I'm thankful to be here because I know they'll come up with a good plan to battle this so please pray for wisdom. Thank you! In My Savior's Mighty Grip, Rachelle

Turning the Corner

Good morning! I got good sleep again last night and I feel like I might be starting to turn the corner. My nurse said she saw "discharge planning" in my chart, which I figured was coming as they told me about doing PFT's on Monday. Depending on where those are at, as long as my liver continues to behave, and they hydroxixine helps me tolerate the Zosyn, I should be able to finish out the antibiotics at home. I'm guessing I'll probably be on it for a couple more weeks just to make sure we really kick this infection so it doesn't come right back. Last night, a fellow PCD pal, Kathy, got admitted. We went on an adventure to starbucks together and the nurses were sweet and said, "Everyone needs a pole buddy!" I've never been in a clinic so it's sweet to have a friend here, even if we are both in the "slammer" as me and my PCD peeps call the hospital. We haven't gotten to chat in a long time so it was good to catch up this morning. I reached out to my "resident PCD expert" friend, Renee, and asked what protocol we should follow as we both have multi-drug resistant bugs and don't want to cross-contaminate each other so we have to wear masks, stay 6 feet away from each other and don't go in each other's rooms. It's hard because we both want to wrap each other up in a big hug, but it's for the best because we don't want to make each other more sick. We may have cheated a tiny bit to take some selfie's together but (not touching just closer than 6 feet) but that's where trust in my Sovereign King comes in. I want to be a wise steward but I also don't want to be so fearful of bugs that I forget to live. It's definitely a balance! Be praying for Kathy as her PFT's are in the 40's and she's still sick after 3 weeks of IV's at home so she's going to have to have a bronchoscopy early next week. I'm thankful we are here together so I can encourage her. Also, I forgot to add another prayer request from yesterday last night...I was really tired by the time I finally did my blog post. Pamela Ward cleaned my room yesterday and saw the quilt my Great Grandma Duncan made for me when I was like 8 on my bed and asked where she got the fabric. I told her I thorugh it was fabrics she had as it's a patchwork quilt and that she's been gone for many years (she died on St. Patrick's Day in 1997). Pamela needs a sewing machine so she asked for prayer that God would provide for a sewing machine and fabric so she can make a quilt like Great Grandma's. There was also an ER admit early this morning...I can't share much as it's private information but pray for a young lady who is 34 with metastatic cancer and not doing well. My nurse, Denise, (that's my Momma's name too!) has been a nurse for over 40 years and is super sweet. We were talking as she drew my labs at 3:45 this morning that it had been a good night but she said, "I can't say cause it will jinx us." She said, "We never said the "Q" word (quiet) in the ER cause if we did 5 ambulances would show up." I told her of a time my RT, Naomi, in Tucson had the trauma pager and I asked how it was going and then she came back a few minutes later and said, "Right after I left your room it went off!" I told Denise as she was leaving that there is no such thing as "jinxing" but rather it's God's sovereign deliveries and He knew this girl needed her as her nurse....she's a Christian and has a heart to help which makes her an incredible nurse. God continues to answer so many of your prayers for my comfort and care by surrounding me with incredible people that encourage my heart and just make me smile at my God's amazingly perfect plan for my life. Yes, it's still hard. I'm in pain 24/7 even on tylenol, especially my joints, (which I'm still waiting to talk to the Rheumatology consult to find out what the x-rays of my joints showed.) and then I'm coughing so much my entire chest just hurts. I used some lidocaine patches for the first time when I was admitted but I really try to give my body as few things to process as possible. I was going over my lab results in the patient portal and my TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is high at 7.999 which is indicative of hypothyrodism. I emailed my reproductive endocrinologist NP who specializes in female hormones who I saw right before I was admitted to try to figure out hormones and what's going on with hotflashes and how we can help my body through the pari-menopause etc. I can't do estradiol, and honestly wouldn't want to anyway, so this is probably the next area of my health I'll have to focus on when I get discharged...along with getting back to an ophthamologist to see if they can help with all my issues related to the vestibular injury and to check up on my amblyopia which I'm supposed to wear glasses for but I haven't been to the eye doc since 2010....been too busy putting out other "body fires". This is getting longer than anticipated, but I'm able to actually type on my computer so I can do a bit longer of an update. Im super excited that Jord is coming down today--will be sweet to see him. In the Love of the Lamb, Rachelle

Exhausted Phase

I almost went to bed without an update, but just wanted to hop on to give you guys a quick one. I'm still in the feel worse before you feel better face, and each dose of IV exhausts me. That combined with the fact that my mucus is starting to move so every breathing treatment is also exhausting. I'm still walking quite a bit and then napping. I got about an hour nap this morning, and then a two hour nap this afternoon which is quite a feat in the hospital. I also had more blessing encounters with people today. UAB celebrated 20,000 robotic surgeries today at 10 o'clock and had a bunch of robotics equipment downstairs along with a host of people from surgeons to nurses to techs 10 to administrators. I was standing next to a lady and just said it's amazing what can be done now...I stopped counting at over 30 surgeries 15 years ago and we struck up a conversation. turns out she worked with Dr Conrad who did my hysterectomy last May, and he actually saved her life. Connie, if you're reading this you made my day with your giant hug and I'm so thankful I got to hear your story and that God is not done with either one of us yet! My case manager is also amazing and he was having a rough day today and asked that you would pray for peace for Wes. When he came to talk to me a couple of days ago we talked about trying not to get on our soapbox about insurance companies and all the things that go with healthcare. However, as sanctifying as health insurance can be, I still praise God I live in America and have access to the best healthcare in the world. this is getting longer than I intended and Im falling asleep, so I'm gonna go for now...keep praying for God to be glorified through me! Oh--they have me scheduled for PFT's on Monday (lung function test) and then we'll go from there. In His Mighty Grip, Rachelle P.S. Pray for Candy...shes feeling really rough after chemo yesterday.

God’s Perfect Plans

good morning everyone! The Lord continues to amaze me with each day, how He continues to bring someone into my path that I can encourage. this morning her name is Sonya. I walked past her but then noticed she had on rubber boots with horses on them so I turned around and said "I love your boots! Do you have horses?" she responded, "not now, but I grew up with with horses." we got closer and I showed her the picture of the painting that Yvonne did for me and explained that I lost him in 2020 along with Crash, my black lab in January of 2020. I noticed her eyes look like she had been crying so I asked is something wrong? She said, "My Mom just died." I told her I'd be praying for her and asked if I could pay for her now. She said yes and so I paid for her right there in the hallway and asked if I could share her name and ask y'all to continue to pray for her. This is not the first time this has happened during one of my hospitalizations. I'll never forget a lady in Tucson, who was crying in the hallway...her husband was really sick. God is sovereign over everything and often I think we are too busy to pay attention, and we miss these opportunities that He puts in our path. as I walk through the hospital halls, I see so many people on their phone, not paying attention to where they're going or acknowledging their fellow human beings. We were created for a relationship first and foremost with Jesus Christ, and secondly, to our fellow human beings. If you look up from your phone or from what you're doing, look around and see the relationships that God has right in front of you, whether there's broken ones that need to be healed or new ones that need to be poured into...its spring time right now and here in Alabama new life is coming out and growing and making everything thing pretty...breathe new life into someone today that needs to hear God's word...and you can only do that if you, yourself, are in His life giving, living, active Word that pierces our hearts, exposes the joints and marrow, and heals our hearts so that we can then pour into others, by HIS strength and by His grace. Id love to pray for you! Comment below with any prayer requests! For the King! Rachelle PS--pray especially for rest for my sweet hubby whose coworker told him he looked like a zombie yesterday...he never sleeps well when im hospitalized. Thank you!!

Evening Update 💜

today has gone pretty well after my morning adventure I got a short nap this morning and my liver is behaving. I now have gotten two full doses run over three hours each and the hydroxyzine is keeping my nausea and other symptoms at bay. when they first start the IV I get super tired so I've been doing a lot of resting and watching videos. I found a really good Joni video with her and Ken talking about their book "Our Untold Love Story" which I highly recommend. I also made a trip to the gift shop and found a really cute squishy, beanie baby named Nessa that is like a butterfly and bright colors and it's so cute and soft and cuddly so she's my one hospital gift to me.  I'm pretty tired tonight so I just wanted to hop on and give you guys an update but also could you please pray for Candy? Today was her first day of chemo and she's exhausted too so together we are very tired sisters. (For those of you new to the blog Candy is one of my very dear friends that just got diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.) there's also a young lady I learned about who is 24 who has cerebral palsy named Selena...she cant do anythimg but lay on her back... I met her grandma in the hallways twice today, and I thankfully had Joni's beyond suffering Bible I was able to give to her to read to her granddaughter. Her name is Margaret and she reminded me of my relationshil with my Grandma and how much she hurt to watch me hurt. I'd also love for you to pray for a widow named Fredina and other unamed people God has put in my path to encourage while I'm here. It truly is amazing to see the Spirit work in all things...even forgetting my wallet for the gift shop and coming back up to get it and running into Margaret and being able to hear her story.

A Spectacle of Glory

Good morning everyone! For the hospital I got a really good nights sleep and it's amazing how much sleep can make you feel so much better! I got more of an adventure than I bargained for when I went walking this morning though lol. I was going on my normal walking trail and the children's door opened and I went in and of course they have so much more fun stuff in the children's unit. Well, I went to come back in and the door was locked without a badge. I went to the front desk and they said you gotta go outside and back to the north pavilion. It was drizzling a little bit, but it was nice to get outside and get some fresh air but then I got turned around. Praise the Lord a guy with a badge let me in and then a tech saw my walker with drops of water on it was like, "Are you ok?" she escorted me back up to the sixth floor on the staff elevators and I made it back to my room. I had my MapMyWalk app on and I walked 1.8 miles. Lol I guess that's pretty good for how sick I am. it's also a testament to the hydroxyzine because the vertigo is minimal and I'm not really nauseous. I'm settled back into my room and read Joni's devotional "A Spectacle of Glory" that came in my email this morning and I wanted to share it with you guys. Also, here are a couple pictures from the children's hospital floor...I of course love the butterfly one! Also, my wise husband suggested I try to update my blog at certain times so people know when to look for an update. I'll do a morning one when I get up and then evening one before I go to bed and then any extras throughout the day will just be fun stuff or whatever God leads or if there are important updates or prayer requests for treatment etc as we go forward. It is truly humbling to see God working in such amazing ways and how He had surrounded me with just the right people ar just the right time!  He truly does "exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine!" Ephesians 3:20-21 For His Glory Alone! Rachelle

Halfway Through Second Dose

I'm halfway through the second dose...they gave me hydroxixine after first dose cause it made my head heavy and more nauseous and it took my nausea away and I didn't realize how miserable I felt since my vestibular injury until it was gone so I was actually able to eat a whole meal. I'm super tired and my temp was just 98.9 which is low grade for me and I can feel it messing with the infection in my lungs. Tomorrow will probably not be pretty but hopefully my LFT's cooperate and we can get up to a full dose run over an extended period of time. This picture is almost directly across from my room--what a sweet gift from my Savior! Isaiah is very special to me as that is what I was reading to Grandma when she got saved! 💜

Amazing New Joni Video & Made it Through First Dose 💜

I made it through the first dose which was half of a dose spent over double the time. I started to itch and feel nauseous and lightheaded so they gave me hydroxyzine. Apparently it's like Benadryl on steroids and it's making me sleepy so I'm gonna nap and get some rest. thank you for all your prayers. We definitely feel them.

Start IV Zosyn in an Hour

They just gave me zyrtec (an allergy med) to "pre-med" me to help me not react to the Zosyn. They will start the Zosyn an hour from now. Im exhausted so trying to catch a quick nap before we start and Im listening to Joni's book on heaven...So good. Suffering does make you long for a body free from pain, but as Ive grown closer to Jesus these last almost 13 years since my drug induced psychosis when I almost died in December of 2010, I long MORE to simply be with Jesus and free from the presence of my sin! Come Quickly Lord Jesus!!

We Have a Plan!

so the pulmonary nurse practitioner and Dr were just here and the pulmonary nurse practitioner sat down with the Allergy nurse practitioner and Allergy doctors and had a really long conversation about me this morning. Long story short, I don't technically qualify for desensitization because I don't have anaphylactic reactions I have more delayed allergic reactions. So they are not going to put me in ICU but they are going to choose Zosyn and start me on a lower dose over a longer period of time and watch me very closely. My past reactions to Zosyn are my liver functions going through the roof with a full dose over 30 minutes and also starting to itch from the inside out and then my blood pressure going up after being on it for a while. This was the drug I reacted to in the hospital in 2018 when grandma died, and I was mismanaged. This visit in this hospital are completely different. I have the upmost confidence and trust in the team here and they listen and they are going to watch me closely and ultimately I know my hope and trust is in my savior Jesus and He is carrying me through this every step of the way. There is such a peace that truly transcends all understanding when our hope and trust is in the God of the universe and He has truly sent so many wonderful people to care for me here at UAB. The journey is really just beginning today and I don't know what the future holds, but I do know the One who holds the future and He is trustworthy! In His Mighty Grip, Rachelle