Friday, February 6, 2015

E-n-d-o-c-r-i-n-o-l-o-g-i-s-t and the Woman Subject to Bleeding and Me and Jesus



Danged if we weren't just rocking along and working and planting seeds and keeping house and minding our pet project when suddenly everything went red again.

Blood red. *shudder*

See, over the past year I've been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder. One day I'll be fine, and the next I begin bleeding out. I get anemic. My blood pressure tanks. I have no energy and do crazy things. Things like:

Me: Yes, I'm here to pay my rent. 
Rent office lady: Address?
Me: 304 Butler Street.
Rent office lady: ...typing...
Rent office lady: You said Butler Street?
Me: Yes.
Rent office lady: 304?
Me: Yes ma'am.
Rent office lady: 304 Butler Street? Are you sure?
Me: Pretty sure. Yes.
Rent office lady: ...typing again... It's just that we don't have any properties at that address. You're sure you're on Butler Street?
Me: ... ...
Rent office lady: Give me your name and I'll look it up that way.
Me: Okay. Brin  __________.
Rent office lady: Oh. Brin? I have you at a different address.
Me: What?
Rent office lady: Yes. I have you at __________________.
Me: ... ... 
Me: ...Oh. Crap it. I'm really sorry. Yes, that's the right address. 304 Butler is an old address. I'm... sorry.
Rent office lady: (weird look). Okay. I'll take that.
Me: (hands over rent check)

I cannot be trusted to handle even simple tasks like paying rent quickly when I'm in the midst of a bleed-out-athon.

So Monday, my doctor took one look at a picture I emailed to the office and said I needed to see an endocrinologist immediately. I had to look it up. E-n-d-o-c-r-i-n-o-l-o-g-i-s-t? Sounded like a bug scientist, but of course that's an e-n-t-o-m-o-l-o-g-i-s-t. Let's get our en-ologists straight, shall we? Because being sent to an insect scientist was about all I needed to make my life story complete.

So Tuesday, I was in Dallas/Fort Worth in the office of one of the most renowned endocrinologists in the U.S. Yes. In one day. God arranged that. The endocrinologist is fantastic. I liked her so much that I kinda wanted to ask if I could have a sleep-over at her house, that way when I got scared in the bathroom she would be there and could tell me in her cool and funny medicalspeak why I wasn't going to die and how women with this are totally fine and treatable. (But thank God I didn't ask. I've creeped out enough people with my bleed brain for one week.)

I got a shot that spiked my blood pressure up above 164/110+. Then I got prescribed four medications. The warning label on my favorite one says: Adverse reactions...may include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dark stools and severe abdominal pain, hard word, hard word, hard word, metabolic acidosis, hard word, dehydration, drowsiness, pallor, hard word, lassitude, seizures, shock and coma. 

That's my favorite. I take that one at night after dinner.

So Thursday, I was sent back to the hospital and then the lab for four more tests that involved x-rays and drinking dye and lying completely still for two hours and getting my blood drawn four times in two days and so on. Endocrinologists mean business, people. 

We're hoping for word today (but likely next week) on why in the world my body is trying to empty itself of all my blood. Until then, I'm as busy as I can manage, and I'm wearing pajama pants every single moment I possibly can.

I'm also reading Luke 8 (above) over and over. I almost have it memorized. Love how the woman bled for 12 years and although no one could help her (and the account in Mark says she was getting worse), Jesus did. He could. He did. And since He went to the trouble to put it in the Bible, I almost feel like every time I read it, He's saying that He can do it again.

So today, come walk over by me, Jesus. Let me grab at the hem of your coat. Let me tell you my old addresses and ask you for a sleep-over and tell you how disgusting drinking that red stuff is and how I don't need a bug scientist, just you.

All I really need is you. 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I was 16 I bled for 40 days ending only when I was prescribed birth control. Nothing quite like you have described though. That passage was so reassuring to me. I'll be praying that the doctor figures this out quickly.

Anonymous said...

Love you big, Brin. Praying that verse over you as well. And I understand about all the warnings on prescription bottles. Scary stuff! Jesus healing is better. Love, Jan

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Praying for you, Brin!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Brin ~ May you feel God's love and peace flowing through and surrounding you.

FlowerLady

Melodee said...

Brin, I am so sorry to hear that you are still dealing with this! I can only hope that they can figure out how to help you and you won't have to keep taking all of those scary medications. Hang in there.

Melodee

Terri Steffes said...

Praying that you are healed by your own faith! Hugs.

deborah said...

So sorry you're going through this.

Adrienne said...

I'm praying for you, dear Brin. Praying that Jesus will 'pass' by and touch you as only HE can touch you.
~Adrienne~

Unknown said...

Oh, you poor thing!! Praying for you!!

Lulu said...

praying for you and sending you some warm hugs...

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

My eldest daughter has two blood clotting disorders, but she sees a hematologist (blood specialist). Have they referred you to a hematologist yet? Glad you like your doctor--I have seen endocrinologist for years--but for a thyroid condition. Praying you get some answers and are feeling better soon!
V

Patsy from Illinois said...

Dear Lord,
We pray for Brin and ask that You touch her with Your healing. Let an angel be with her as she deals with this and let her feel Your light of peace.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen

Anonymous said...

Praying for you (from Ireland)

rachel said...

Oh, Brin. God bless you for your sense of humour even amid this!
I am praying for a solution xxx

Brin said...

Thank you all. Thank you, thank you. Thank you for the prayers, the words, the encouragement. You all have carried me for years, and continue to do so today. Let's be friends always, okay? :) -Brin

sherry. said...

bless your heart. i'm so sorry this is happening - but so **thankful** your sense of humor comes through the pain of your medical situation. i endured years and years of endometriosis (hard word hard Rx hard time) so i know about the bleeding (and for me incredible pain..and infertility) issues. that scripture passage meant a lot to me.

praying for you.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps it's peri-menopause? I know of many women who have had the same issues. Hope all is okay.

Carrie said...

I had a similar issue that went on for years! It finally got so bad I requested a hysterectomy. Best thing I ever did! Good luck to you.

Deanna said...

Not sure if you're still having challenges with this bleeding issue. I did for years and ended up in the ER. Doc told me to take ibuprofen 4 tabs....it will slow the bleeding. Tried it and it worked like a charm. I had thyroid issues as well. Being hypothyroid can cause HEAVY menses.
God bless,
d