I've had a couple of people ask me recently for an update about my health stuff, so I guess that means it's been too long since I last wrote an email to you all. I don't have a lot to report at the moment, which is both good and bad, but here's the latest:
- The inflammation in my eye is totally cleared up, and while I think I still have a slightly blurred spot in that eye, my brain has already compensated for that and I don't notice it at all anymore. So, all is well there. I just have to pay close attention to my eyes from now on, and I know now to move very quickly at the slightest sign of a problem. I'm hoping I'll be one of the lucky ones who avoids reoccurring problems with iritis.
- When I wrote last, my insurance company had denied approval for Humira, but I was starting the appeal process and was hoping to have a decision on that within a week or two. Obviously, I greatly overestimated the speed of this whole bureaucratic process. :) Since then I received notice that I was denied an expedited appeal process, and that my appeal would be reviewed within 15 to 20 business days. About a week after that, I got a letter that I needed to sign to give my consent to the appeal process, and then another similar form another week later. So... I have no idea if they even started the appeal until they received those forms back. Anyway, the long and short of it is that I'm still waiting to see if I'll get approved for Humira, or if I need to try something else. I'm trying to be patient and appreciate the fact that I have health insurance and modern medicine in general.
- I did stop my crazy diet, as I actually felt worse over time, rather than better. But one big blessing that came out of that period of such a restrictive diet - I really really enjoy food right now! Everything tastes amazing. Simple pleasures. :)
- Other than that, things are about the same. Some good days, some bad days. I was hoping the heel problems might go away quickly, but that doesn't seem to be happening right now. Mike and I have joked for a long time now that I'm a "lemon" (you know, a car that has problem after problem and just turns out to be defective), so we'll just add that to my lemon list. Fortunately, I'm confident my family will not be trading me in for a new, more functional model anytime soon. :)
As most of you know, I am leading Vacation Bible School this week, which is quite a huge and exhausting job. I was a bit worried about how my body would handle the whole thing, but I'm doing pretty well so far. (Thanks to my wonderful mother who has been here helping, and two great friends who have brought us dinner so I wouldn't have to cook at the end of the day, and of course, my amazing husband and children who have been handling everything around the house so I can just get VBS stuff done and then rest.) For those who have been praying for me, I would appreciate some prayers for my strength for the rest of the week, that my body will hold out through three more days of jumping, dancing, singing, running around, and being constantly energetic and enthusiastic. After Friday I can crash, so I'm asking God to just carry me through until then! :)
Even though it's been hard on me physically, VBS is just what my heart needed. Being surrounded by so much joy and energy is good for the soul. I may be physically exhausted, but I certainly don't have any time or energy to brood or feel sorry for myself - So that's a good thing! And I think it's hilarious that God is using the simple themes of VBS to speak to me too. (Tomorrow morning, I'll be preaching to the kids about how we need to give up worry and instead turn to God in prayer when we're facing hard times... Yes Lord, I get the irony - I'll work on it.) And I get a million sweet little hugs every day. There's nothing better than that.
Anyway, that's me right now. Thanks for all of your prayers and support! You all have made a big difference to me.
