a little update, because i owe you one

Hi friends! It's been a busy week out of the hosptial. Wait, what?! I forgot to post an update about my hosptial stay. Ugh, please forgive me.

So, update. I owe you one. 

Last Wednesday, December 10th,  I was released from the hospital with 84% lung function. Jesus' timing is so perfect. I was let out the night before the big Northern California storm. I've been waiting for this storm for seven years. God knows me too well. Anywayssss... December 10th marked exactly one full month in the hospital. All I can say is that Jesus sustained me... and He did it well. I have no other explanation to how I made it cooped up for that long. 

I came in the hosptial with 83% lung function and a consistent four day, high fever. My lung function fluctuates a lot and we aren't sure why. My lung volumes (which determine how much damage cystic fibrosis has had on the longevity on my lungs) were normal, my breathing sounds were clear, no wheezing or crackling in the lungs, I felt fine, fevers went away, my sputum cultures came back clear (no bacterias were found), CT scan showed only a little increase in mucus plugs in my right upper lobe since last years scan,.. everything seemed to look pretty normal, Yet my numbers weren't increasing drastically like they should have on iv antiobiotics and four times a day airway clearance/breathing treatments. My baseline is 91% so my doctor's goal was to get my lung function back in the high 80's or 90's before he released me. Since I was there for a month and my numbers showed slow progression from the 60's to the mid 80's, they freed me. Praise Jesus.

It's been five days out of the hosptial and I went back to clinic for a follow up appointment with my primary doctor. I repeated my lung function test today and it's at 96%!! My small airways increased from 56% to 86% too. This is incredible news. This is just proof that Jesus knows my needs, hears my prayers, loves me dearly, and hears the prayers of everyone who were diligently praying over me and my health. This isn't just chance. This is Jesus. He was in control of every detail of this hosptial stay and I couldn't be more thankful for that. Thank you Jesus for your constant protection over my life and my lungs.

I never thought I would admit to this, but I am so greatful for this recent one month hospital admission. Jesus used this hosptial stay to teach me a handful of things » The true meaning of joy; being content in every circumstance. Patience. The concept of being still and trusting in His, unknown plan. The power of prayer and soely allowing God to work in me and in others in situations that aren't ideal. 

God strengthened my heart and taught me how to be fully dependent on Him and Him only. 

The downside to being up is my inside is empty of the one thing my heart truly needs. When I feel invincible, a million miles from miserable, it's always all about me. 

AMEN. Oh, the truth in that. 

Being confined to a hosptial room for a month made me appreciate my home, my bed and my city so much more. I complain about walking up and down two flights of stairs everyday to bring my dog out to pee, but now I find myself volunteering to do it. I appreciate the little things more because small things that I  take for granted on a daily basis like fresh air, the sound of rain and even walking were withheld from me for a month. I never realized how much I crave those things.

 God allowed me to suffer for a month because He loves me. He knew I could make it- and I did. He promised He wouldn't let me down- and He didn't. He never promised a life without pain, but He promised He'd take care of me. We're a team. When I'm weak, He's strong. When I'm empty, He fills me. When I'm worried, He gives me assurance. When I don't know what to do, He does. I like to say that He's the better half of me;) 

Joy and life abundant becomes so much more apparent and special when we experience pain. We value the small things in life, the happy, when we know what pain feels like. It's hard, but it's worth it. Joy. Comes. In. The. Morning. 

Thank you Jesus for allowing me to fight this ugly disease called Cystic Fibrosis and for allowing me to experience life and life abundant!!

"For this sickness will not lead to death, but to God's glory." // John 11:4